Life's A Beach!

2 Years, 2 Weeks.


It had been almost an entire year since we've gone back to the beach.  And we live in Florida?!?  Our last attempt was during a quick family trip to Cocoa Beach, which wasn't as fun as a trip to the beach sounds. Granted, the twins were only one year olds then, and couldn't understand why all that white stuff tasted awful.  It also didn't help that it was during the time of a jellyfish outbreak, which also prevented us from getting in the water.  Having to lug all our gear out there and set up just to tear it back down in less than an hour was just way too much of a hassle, so I guess that's why it's taken us so long to go back.

Our sunshine girl.  You should've seen her tan lines afterwards!

But that wasn't the case this past weekend.  The weather forecast was beautiful and the sun was calling our name, so we hooked up with the Bergherms and drove out to New Smyrna Beach to spend Sabbath morning there.  We were hoping the twins would do better this time, especially since Maddy has had a more recent phobia of walking on sand.  It was much enjoyable this time around, with Braelyn splashing in the waves, and the twins digging their shovels in the sand.  Braelyn didn't want to leave when it was time to head back.  I'm sure we'll go back a couple more times before our trip to the Panhandle this summer.

Kohl and Evan playing in the sand.

The writing is in the sand...

The moms getting ready for lunch.

Lunch at the beach is always fun!

Brae eats under her personal umbrella.

Beautiful Florida day with wonderful scenery.  Brae did not want to leave!

The girls were pooped on the ride home...

So Kohl happily took the bag of chips all by himself!

Sunday morning after a pancake breakfast we headed out to a park for a couple of hours before joining the Ottati's back at our clubhouse for their daughter's birthday party. Gabriella was turning two, and just like the weekend before for the twins, we had a pool party and lunch there.  The weather was hot, so it was perfect in the pool, and the kids loved it.  The best part though was finding all of the floaties we had accidentally left behind from our party last week.  A bunch of tween boys arrived midway through the party and we realized that they had taken them, so I went over to them and confiscated them back.  You could tell they were busted because they didn't even challenge me about them.  So now we have both floaties back, as well as the Grodack's.

Pancake breakfast.  Can you spot an elephant?

A dog and a nosediving airplane.

Brae went with the giraffe.

All the kids really enjoyed the pool.  This was after I reclaimed the floats back.

Hotdogs and mac 'n cheese!

I tried to get the kids excited about face painting but none of them took the bait.
I did choose the manliest picture there...just call me "cupcake!"

The birthday girl blows out the candle.

It wasn't until about 4 pm that the kids finally were able to take their naps.  We then left for Altamonte Springs to meet the Johnsons and Clarkes for dinner at the Jewish Community Center's Festival celebrating Israel's independence.  We all had our fill of falafels and shawarmas, which were all delicious.  And kosher, of course.  L'chaim!

Crane's Roost in Altamonte Springs.

Kelli feeds Erik while Daddy Kent enjoys his falafel!

Beautiful evening.  With the singing and wailing in the background it almost felt like you were in Tel Aviv!

Monday morning I had my third visit to the eye doctor in 3 weeks.  This was a follow up to the follow up I had had the previous Monday, and to see if the new steroid drops had helped in the healing of my right eye.  I was also given new prescription contact lenses, this one made of a more breathable material to allow oxygen to reach the eye and not dry out.  So we'll see in 6 months how I'm faring, as that's when the doctor wants to see me again.

Rock painting.  I decided it was safer to do it without any clothes on.   That's what she said.

And I was right.

See what I mean?

Nothing too much to report this week.  It's been getting extremely hot weather wise, and we're always looking for activities to do indoors, as opposed to being outside.  And it's only May!  We went to the Science Center Tuesday afternoon, and on Wednesday got together with Jared to a park before taking them to the splash fountains there in Winter Garden (sorry for the poor quality on the video below).  Other than that, it's been a regular week.  And the Orlando Magic are doing just awful without Dwight Howard in the playoffs.  Ugh.

Learning to write on paper!

A couple of meals this week:

Sautéed Salmon on Linguini with Basil Cream Sauce

Salmon Tartare on Toast with Dill nd Cherry Tomatoes

Randoms:

I took the kids to PetSmart Saturday evening while Mommy went shopping at Old Navy.
Here I had them sitting on some cat trees!

Quotes:

• We were just about to have dinner Wednesday evening and I asked Braelyn to say the blessing.  She was acting a bit wishy washy about having to say grace, and when I asked her again, all of a sudden Maddy quickly folded her hands, shut her eyes tight, and without any prompting said, "Dear Jesus, thank you for our food, Amen!"  

         I was stunned.  Wow.

Fashioning new pajamas from Old Navy.  Good night!

Have a great weekend!