My Father, divorced for almost 20 years from my mother, got married today. I still am trying to fathom that he's an old married fart, as I had told him earlier. He actually married one of my mom's best friends from high school. It does sound awkward, doesn't it? However, it seemed more comforting really, since we all knew each other, even if it was from a long time ago.
As a kid I remember playing with Anita's sons when she and my dad were married to their X's. Our family would visit Anita and her family often when we came to see my grandparents and other relatives. It is really wonderful they found each other in this way and catching up with old friends turned step brothers was a thrill, especially with meeting their wives and kids. Even Colin enjoyed hanging out with his new cousins, despite them being girls.
The wedding was quite different, but sweet. Anita is a member of the Red Hat Society, so the colors were red and purple, with the wedding party wearing purple. It was a challenge to find a purple matron of honor dress for me and a purple shirt and tie for Colin who was the ring bearer. Not really knowing what exact shade of purple they had picked, Colin and I did pretty well with matching everyone else. Colin's tie coordinated wonderfully with the girls' flower girl dresses.
I was a little nervous before the ceremony, as I have never been a matron of honor. And, if I wasn't worried enough about tripping head over heals down the aisle, I came to find out the local newspaper was there to do a feature on the wedding because it was a red hatter's production. I kid you not... there was a reporter and a photographer at my dad's wedding! Fortunately the reporter never cornered me for an interview, but I caught sight of her asking Steph and Sophie how they felt about their grandma getting married. I'll be really curious to see how the article turns out when it appears in Monday's paper.
The ceremony itself went off without a hitch. No one tripped, passed out, or otherwise got cold feet and Colin did a fabulous job at the ring bearer position, with a little help from Matt in the first pew. The nuptuals were quite speedy thankfully, and by 5:45 we were all feasting on a huge buffet spread complete with yummmy punch that the kids couldn't get enough of. In between cake cutting, toasting, and certificate signing, we got to catch up with friends and family that we hadn't seen in ahwile and meet oodles of people on the brides side of the family. Even a cousin and aunt of my mom's came although not too surprising since they stayed close with my dad.
Once everyone left the reception and the red hat ladies started cleaning up, a bunch of us headed to my dad's house for the after party at their new house. The adults drank beer and shot the poop, while the kids had a good time "relaxing" in my dad's hot tub. A good time everyone was having, however by midnight most of us started to hit the wall, mostly Colin, so we called it a night. And, now I can add three stepbrothers, three stepsisters-in-law, and three step neices and one stepmom to my ever growing immediate family. Mazeltov!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Saturday, July 21 ~ 2007; 12:02AM PST
It's official! We own Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! Man, I so wanted to start reading it. Unfortunately we are still on book 5. I really need to know who dies! At Matt's insistence I am resisting all urges. We'll likely find out what happens anyway, in the next few weeks, unless of course, we all go live in a hole.
All three of us have been looking forward to this for months now. Colin wanted to dress up in his Harry Potter costume from Halloween and I was going to don my fantastic Professor McGonagall get up. Matt came up with the creative idea of dressing up as a muggle. We also had planned to go with our good friends who were dressing up as well to the Barnes and Noble, where we've had our beloved copy reserved since April. What we hadn't planned for was the fact that we weren't even going to be in town the day it came out, rather we were going to be in Wenatchee for my father's wedding.
Blimey! I hadn't put the two dates together until the week before. Colin was truly disappointed that he wasn't going to party at midnight with his friend Alec, but I did call a bookstore at the mall where we'd be and the clerk told me there would be plenty of copies for us to buy. Whew! My bum was saved! We would just have to pack our costumers and take them to go.
The night finally came, and at 10:30 pm we all got dolled up. Matt's muggle outfit was simply amazing. When we got to the Waldenbooks, they asked us if we had a reservation and I told them no because I had called the store last week and the clerk told me that I wouldn't need a reservation. The snippy little teeny-bopper proceeded to tell me that they only have enough copies for the people who reserved one. Oh, bloody hell, you mean we got dressed up in these ridiculous outfits for nothing? The kid told us to check either Hastings or Wal-Mart. OK, fine!
We drive to Hastings on the other side of town and once we got there, we see a massive gathering of fellow book seekers. As we got into the store, another smart-ass punk teenager asks me if I've reserved a copy. Are you for real? Is there no extra copy of Harry Potter 7 in this flippin' town?! Just about as I am about to tell this clown to sod off, Matt tells me there is a line at the other end of the store for people who do not have a reservation. And, to think that we can't even start reading the book right away because we are still on bloody book 5. Why am I here?
We enter the store at the other entrance to see that the cafe' register has a sign that says "Unreserved". This looks like a good place to be, not to mention that Colin and I feel a bit more comfortable here since there is a few more characters in costume, inlcuding a supurb Dumbledore. The two ladies in line next to us took a picture with me and Colin as though we were really Harry and Minerva. That made me smile, thus putting me into a better mood that I had been in earlier.
We stood in line to get drinks at the cafe' and not five minutes later saw two employees bring in a cart full of books hot off of the press, park the cart right next to the cafe' register and announce that these were the unreserved copies. Holy cow! A nano-second had passed before all of us realized that we are now officially second in line to buy a copy of the book and at 12:02 the book was ours. All those poor saps who had reserved a copy were still waiting in the line to purchase their copies. What a wonderful turn of events. We were back home and ready for bed by 12:30! I guess all is well that ends well. And, Harry I sure hope you don't get it in the end!
All three of us have been looking forward to this for months now. Colin wanted to dress up in his Harry Potter costume from Halloween and I was going to don my fantastic Professor McGonagall get up. Matt came up with the creative idea of dressing up as a muggle. We also had planned to go with our good friends who were dressing up as well to the Barnes and Noble, where we've had our beloved copy reserved since April. What we hadn't planned for was the fact that we weren't even going to be in town the day it came out, rather we were going to be in Wenatchee for my father's wedding.
Blimey! I hadn't put the two dates together until the week before. Colin was truly disappointed that he wasn't going to party at midnight with his friend Alec, but I did call a bookstore at the mall where we'd be and the clerk told me there would be plenty of copies for us to buy. Whew! My bum was saved! We would just have to pack our costumers and take them to go.
The night finally came, and at 10:30 pm we all got dolled up. Matt's muggle outfit was simply amazing. When we got to the Waldenbooks, they asked us if we had a reservation and I told them no because I had called the store last week and the clerk told me that I wouldn't need a reservation. The snippy little teeny-bopper proceeded to tell me that they only have enough copies for the people who reserved one. Oh, bloody hell, you mean we got dressed up in these ridiculous outfits for nothing? The kid told us to check either Hastings or Wal-Mart. OK, fine!
We drive to Hastings on the other side of town and once we got there, we see a massive gathering of fellow book seekers. As we got into the store, another smart-ass punk teenager asks me if I've reserved a copy. Are you for real? Is there no extra copy of Harry Potter 7 in this flippin' town?! Just about as I am about to tell this clown to sod off, Matt tells me there is a line at the other end of the store for people who do not have a reservation. And, to think that we can't even start reading the book right away because we are still on bloody book 5. Why am I here?
We enter the store at the other entrance to see that the cafe' register has a sign that says "Unreserved". This looks like a good place to be, not to mention that Colin and I feel a bit more comfortable here since there is a few more characters in costume, inlcuding a supurb Dumbledore. The two ladies in line next to us took a picture with me and Colin as though we were really Harry and Minerva. That made me smile, thus putting me into a better mood that I had been in earlier.
We stood in line to get drinks at the cafe' and not five minutes later saw two employees bring in a cart full of books hot off of the press, park the cart right next to the cafe' register and announce that these were the unreserved copies. Holy cow! A nano-second had passed before all of us realized that we are now officially second in line to buy a copy of the book and at 12:02 the book was ours. All those poor saps who had reserved a copy were still waiting in the line to purchase their copies. What a wonderful turn of events. We were back home and ready for bed by 12:30! I guess all is well that ends well. And, Harry I sure hope you don't get it in the end!
Friday, July 20, 2007
A Day in the Life of a Cub Scout Mom
I knew that various camps for Colin this summer would help keep my sanity intact. What I failed to realize is that for Cub Scouts day camp, I would have to volunteer to help. This didn't really scare me when I signed up for the job. I figured I'd work the one day required and get the other three days free. What I didn't realize was how much I would have to pay on my one day of work.
The week before we had record setting heat with temperatures in the 100s. The week of camp, of course, it decides to pour rain and heat up to a scorching 60 degrees. Lovely! It rained solid the day I helped from 8:30 to 2:30 and when it did finally stop, the sun started to peek out just enough to make the field steamy and gross. I was absolutely miserable!
What cheesed me the most was that everyone else who was doing a craft or learning activity had either a shelter or an open tent set up to keep them dry. Oh no, not me! I had to play a game in the grass with absolutely no cover whatsoever. By about 10am my REI rain anorak was soaked and I looked like I had just stepped out of the shower with my clothes on. People offered me umbrellas, but how am I suppose to manage that while trying to bounce and catch a ball? Hello! I'm pretty sure I am on someone's bad side since I got put in this detail.
What's worse than being outside all day in the drenching rain with seven different groups of cub scouts? Being outside all day in the drenching rain with seven different groups of cub scouts when the game you're playing is quite stupid and boring. Be sure that if an adult thinks a game is quite stupid and boring, the kids are surely going to think it's even more stupid and more boring. Moreover, we have this side of eternity, or 40 minutes, per group to keep them interested. Oh yea, this will work! I sure would like to meet with the person who thought that it was a good activity.
Somehow we managed to get through the day, mostly because we made up other, much more fun games to play with each den. Boy howdy, was I tired at 3:40 when we were all done. I could hardly collect my things, including my son, in order to go home to pass out. Once we got home, I ordered pizza and both of us to take baths to wash all of day camp down the drain. Neither Colin nor myself made it past 9pm that night! I think I'm either too old or too out of shape (or both) for this type of work. How come I couldn't get a sit down type of craft? My only saving grace was that I didn't have to go back for another day. Thank You, Jesus!
The week before we had record setting heat with temperatures in the 100s. The week of camp, of course, it decides to pour rain and heat up to a scorching 60 degrees. Lovely! It rained solid the day I helped from 8:30 to 2:30 and when it did finally stop, the sun started to peek out just enough to make the field steamy and gross. I was absolutely miserable!
What cheesed me the most was that everyone else who was doing a craft or learning activity had either a shelter or an open tent set up to keep them dry. Oh no, not me! I had to play a game in the grass with absolutely no cover whatsoever. By about 10am my REI rain anorak was soaked and I looked like I had just stepped out of the shower with my clothes on. People offered me umbrellas, but how am I suppose to manage that while trying to bounce and catch a ball? Hello! I'm pretty sure I am on someone's bad side since I got put in this detail.
What's worse than being outside all day in the drenching rain with seven different groups of cub scouts? Being outside all day in the drenching rain with seven different groups of cub scouts when the game you're playing is quite stupid and boring. Be sure that if an adult thinks a game is quite stupid and boring, the kids are surely going to think it's even more stupid and more boring. Moreover, we have this side of eternity, or 40 minutes, per group to keep them interested. Oh yea, this will work! I sure would like to meet with the person who thought that it was a good activity.
Somehow we managed to get through the day, mostly because we made up other, much more fun games to play with each den. Boy howdy, was I tired at 3:40 when we were all done. I could hardly collect my things, including my son, in order to go home to pass out. Once we got home, I ordered pizza and both of us to take baths to wash all of day camp down the drain. Neither Colin nor myself made it past 9pm that night! I think I'm either too old or too out of shape (or both) for this type of work. How come I couldn't get a sit down type of craft? My only saving grace was that I didn't have to go back for another day. Thank You, Jesus!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Week #3
This week has kicked my patooty! It really shouldn't have, since Colin had attended Vacation Bible School from 9-noon each day. Don't get me wrong, it was nice to have a couple hours a day to hear my own thoughts. It was the rest of the time that threatened to send me to the loony bin.
The week started off with a bang, since Matt had to travel to Denver for the first three days, During the school year, business travel isn't such a hardship. However, in the summer it's a
B-I-T-C-H, with a capital B. I am Manager On Duty 24/7. And, of course, everything goes wrong while the man of the house is absent, including the shed door and the downstairs toilet.
You would think, being a smart woman, I would lay as low as possible since I had no one to help. But, no, not me! On Monday, Colin had a friend over all day and then spends the night. Another friend comes over on Tuesday. On Wednesday, in addition to shuttling four children to and from VBS, we have Monday's friend over again. Friday I had to finally call for a "friend-over moratorium" because Thursday did me in when two very rowdy and rambunctious neighbor kids came over and made huge mess in my front yard after engaging Colin in a massive water fight.
Have I mentioned that on Wednesday this week the mercury topped 100 degrees at my house? No? Well, it was freakin' hot! So hot you could have fried an egg... on my forehead! The only saving graces were that for one, it was a dry heat, and two, we have air conditioning in our house. Then, to add insult to injury, when it did finally cool down we had thunderstorms that made the humidity very high.
Friday seem to give promise of better days with cooler weather and fun times playing mini-golf with Colin. However, it turned out to be a short respite of good in another wise crappy week. When picking up Lani from doggy daycare, the owner told me that she had gotten into a scuffle with another dog, a first-time Dalmatian. My precious little Lani, in a fight? Never! But, she does have a couple bite wounds and a quarter inch tear on her ear.
Apparently during a game of tag, Lani's space was violated sho she growled and the Dalmatian took it the wrong way and the scuffle ensued. I guess the other dog got it worse. This is so weird because Lani has never had any issues with any other dogs and submits to anything that moves. She's an angel at daycare and everybody who works at the kennel knows her and loves her - she is on the front cover of the daycare brochure, for gosh sakes! All I can say is that it had to have been something with the other dog. I've never really like Dalmatians - too high strung. I can only hope that it won't come back for a second time.
Luckily the week is now over and I have made it to the weekend. Even one better is that Matt is taking Colin to Table Mountain for the annual star party for Saturday and Sunday and leaving me and Muhammed Ali (Lani) all by ourselves. Ahhh... 36 hours to rest, renew and regenerate before heading into week #4 of summer vacation. Can't wait to see what's in store for me next week!
The week started off with a bang, since Matt had to travel to Denver for the first three days, During the school year, business travel isn't such a hardship. However, in the summer it's a
B-I-T-C-H, with a capital B. I am Manager On Duty 24/7. And, of course, everything goes wrong while the man of the house is absent, including the shed door and the downstairs toilet.
You would think, being a smart woman, I would lay as low as possible since I had no one to help. But, no, not me! On Monday, Colin had a friend over all day and then spends the night. Another friend comes over on Tuesday. On Wednesday, in addition to shuttling four children to and from VBS, we have Monday's friend over again. Friday I had to finally call for a "friend-over moratorium" because Thursday did me in when two very rowdy and rambunctious neighbor kids came over and made huge mess in my front yard after engaging Colin in a massive water fight.
Have I mentioned that on Wednesday this week the mercury topped 100 degrees at my house? No? Well, it was freakin' hot! So hot you could have fried an egg... on my forehead! The only saving graces were that for one, it was a dry heat, and two, we have air conditioning in our house. Then, to add insult to injury, when it did finally cool down we had thunderstorms that made the humidity very high.
Friday seem to give promise of better days with cooler weather and fun times playing mini-golf with Colin. However, it turned out to be a short respite of good in another wise crappy week. When picking up Lani from doggy daycare, the owner told me that she had gotten into a scuffle with another dog, a first-time Dalmatian. My precious little Lani, in a fight? Never! But, she does have a couple bite wounds and a quarter inch tear on her ear.
Apparently during a game of tag, Lani's space was violated sho she growled and the Dalmatian took it the wrong way and the scuffle ensued. I guess the other dog got it worse. This is so weird because Lani has never had any issues with any other dogs and submits to anything that moves. She's an angel at daycare and everybody who works at the kennel knows her and loves her - she is on the front cover of the daycare brochure, for gosh sakes! All I can say is that it had to have been something with the other dog. I've never really like Dalmatians - too high strung. I can only hope that it won't come back for a second time.
Luckily the week is now over and I have made it to the weekend. Even one better is that Matt is taking Colin to Table Mountain for the annual star party for Saturday and Sunday and leaving me and Muhammed Ali (Lani) all by ourselves. Ahhh... 36 hours to rest, renew and regenerate before heading into week #4 of summer vacation. Can't wait to see what's in store for me next week!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Happy July Fourth?
Although I’m most grateful that I live in the land of the free and home of the brave and I truly honor and respect all those in harms way fighting for those freedoms, I’m just not feeling patriotic this year because of all the stupidity that’s being wavered by our government across this great land of ours. It’s also hard to get excited about America, when we as a country turn our backs to the many countries that don’t even enjoy basic human rights. But, I suppose that I can’t change the world in one day, and I do love a good BBQ with friends and a spectacular display of fireworks.
Sporting my very unpatriotic outfit of black and pink and armored with a few good bottles of wine and apple pie, I happily venture over to some very dear friends house with Colin and Matt in tow. They had a fantastic spread of appetizers, corn on the cob, salads, cornbread and wonderfully BBQ’d ribs. Good company too, with lots of fellow Cub Scout families and other nice neighbors we met. It was shaping up to be a nice mellow celebration, just what I was in the mood for.
The kids were so excited to get started on fireworks and since we had a huge stash of ammunition that was going to last a long time, we finally broke down and let that part of the evening start around 9pm. Smoke bombs, sparklers, roman candles, some pretty mortar shells, all lovely, safe and sane. Just towards the end of our fireworks fest as we were enjoying what we dubbed our grand finale, things started to turn. A different neighbor that was not part of our group decides to light off a big box type charge that was supposed to shoot mortars into the sky. After he lit the fuse, the box tipped over so it shot the fireworks out the side. One charge went straight toward another house, one barely missed our friend and host, and some others landed underneath the cars that were parked in the driveway. Everyone started screaming and running for either cover or for their children.
Once we determined that no one was hurt, we immediately hosed down the truck that the shells had landed under. As the crisis was unfolding and I was trying to process what was happening, I had envisioned vehicles blowing up much like I've seen in the movies. It was terrifying! Everyone was pretty shaken up.
After a few minutes and a few deep breaths, we collected our thoughts, said our prayers, changed our underwear and resumed the festivities. Then, the unthinkable happened. That same neighbor lit another one of the same type of firework that went crazy, and that one did the very same thing, only this time it caused injuries along with the panic. I couldn’t believe it when it started shooting shells into the group of kids. I was running to find Colin and all I heard was Matt yelling at the top of his lungs to turn the water on. Luckily I had collected some sense and was near the water faucet. Immediately after that I found Matt dowsing Colin’s forearm with water and I could see a powder burn mark. Now, I’m freaking out, so much that I don’t even realize that Lillan, 6 years old, got burned on her shoulder, and Kelcie, 12 years old, got burned right next to her eye.
I was trying so hard not to panic and help Colin control his panic attack. (Getting hit by fireworks is not good for kids with generalized anxiety disorder.) However, all my mind could see was 3rd degree burns and paramedics, not to mention cars blowing up again. Matt, bless his heart, was the cool, calm and collect parent and later I appreciated his taking control although not before wanting to wring his neck for not wanting to take Colin to the ER. I was not the only mother that went into maternal panic, as Ellen wanted seriously to call the Fire Dept or Police or somebody, for goodness sake!
Three ice packs and a few rounds of Ibuprofen later, we realized that the burns weren’t serious and that they would heal just fine. Now whether all of our psyches would heal or not still remained a question. And, I think it’s going to take some time because afterwards we all would jump every time we saw fireworks being set off. Colin also repeated many times that he now hated fireworks and that he was never going to do them again as long as he lived. Now, granted it was a bit dramatic, but I couldn’t agree with him more. I’m now convinced to leaving the firework launching to the professionals.
What’s even more amazing was that Kelcie ended up getting hit again with another firework when everybody was cleaning up and going home. She was helping one of the ladies pack her van with some of the baby things she had brought and she got hit with a wayward bottle rocket. We have no idea where it came from or who was still shooting off fireworks because everyone in their cul-de-sac was done and sweeping up the carnage. Poor girl! Her nerves were completely shattered after that.
So, Happy Fourth of July? I think not! I say Happy Fifth of July! Thank God the Fourth is over!
Sporting my very unpatriotic outfit of black and pink and armored with a few good bottles of wine and apple pie, I happily venture over to some very dear friends house with Colin and Matt in tow. They had a fantastic spread of appetizers, corn on the cob, salads, cornbread and wonderfully BBQ’d ribs. Good company too, with lots of fellow Cub Scout families and other nice neighbors we met. It was shaping up to be a nice mellow celebration, just what I was in the mood for.
The kids were so excited to get started on fireworks and since we had a huge stash of ammunition that was going to last a long time, we finally broke down and let that part of the evening start around 9pm. Smoke bombs, sparklers, roman candles, some pretty mortar shells, all lovely, safe and sane. Just towards the end of our fireworks fest as we were enjoying what we dubbed our grand finale, things started to turn. A different neighbor that was not part of our group decides to light off a big box type charge that was supposed to shoot mortars into the sky. After he lit the fuse, the box tipped over so it shot the fireworks out the side. One charge went straight toward another house, one barely missed our friend and host, and some others landed underneath the cars that were parked in the driveway. Everyone started screaming and running for either cover or for their children.
Once we determined that no one was hurt, we immediately hosed down the truck that the shells had landed under. As the crisis was unfolding and I was trying to process what was happening, I had envisioned vehicles blowing up much like I've seen in the movies. It was terrifying! Everyone was pretty shaken up.
After a few minutes and a few deep breaths, we collected our thoughts, said our prayers, changed our underwear and resumed the festivities. Then, the unthinkable happened. That same neighbor lit another one of the same type of firework that went crazy, and that one did the very same thing, only this time it caused injuries along with the panic. I couldn’t believe it when it started shooting shells into the group of kids. I was running to find Colin and all I heard was Matt yelling at the top of his lungs to turn the water on. Luckily I had collected some sense and was near the water faucet. Immediately after that I found Matt dowsing Colin’s forearm with water and I could see a powder burn mark. Now, I’m freaking out, so much that I don’t even realize that Lillan, 6 years old, got burned on her shoulder, and Kelcie, 12 years old, got burned right next to her eye.
I was trying so hard not to panic and help Colin control his panic attack. (Getting hit by fireworks is not good for kids with generalized anxiety disorder.) However, all my mind could see was 3rd degree burns and paramedics, not to mention cars blowing up again. Matt, bless his heart, was the cool, calm and collect parent and later I appreciated his taking control although not before wanting to wring his neck for not wanting to take Colin to the ER. I was not the only mother that went into maternal panic, as Ellen wanted seriously to call the Fire Dept or Police or somebody, for goodness sake!
Three ice packs and a few rounds of Ibuprofen later, we realized that the burns weren’t serious and that they would heal just fine. Now whether all of our psyches would heal or not still remained a question. And, I think it’s going to take some time because afterwards we all would jump every time we saw fireworks being set off. Colin also repeated many times that he now hated fireworks and that he was never going to do them again as long as he lived. Now, granted it was a bit dramatic, but I couldn’t agree with him more. I’m now convinced to leaving the firework launching to the professionals.
What’s even more amazing was that Kelcie ended up getting hit again with another firework when everybody was cleaning up and going home. She was helping one of the ladies pack her van with some of the baby things she had brought and she got hit with a wayward bottle rocket. We have no idea where it came from or who was still shooting off fireworks because everyone in their cul-de-sac was done and sweeping up the carnage. Poor girl! Her nerves were completely shattered after that.
So, Happy Fourth of July? I think not! I say Happy Fifth of July! Thank God the Fourth is over!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Day Six - Eleven
Only six days after school let out, we find ourselves taking our first road trip of the summer. We packed the people and the dog into the overloaded SUV and headed for the ocean for a couple of days of R&R. We had a fabulous time! The weather on the first day was horrible. But after one stormy day, the sunshine and warm weather returned and we all took full advantage.
Since I had never been up to the Westport lighthouse, Colin demanded that I accompany him & Matt on their adventure. We rode our bikes the quarter mile it takes to get there, and hiked up the 100+ steps to the top. Walking up wasn't a problem, it was coming down that sent me for a loop. I don't like heights when I'm on stairs, as it gives me the willy nillys. But, I tredged down very slowly working through being weak in the knees. I will say that it was worth the trouble. The view from a top is fantastic!
One of my favorite things to do at the beach is when all three of us play fetch with Lani in the waves. Colin will play his usual chase and run away from the waves, although in the summer he's more flexible with letting the waves get him. Matt will throw a tennis ball into the water and Lani will leap and bound with great abandon into the surf to bring the ball back to him. Sometimes I'll participate in these activities, however mostly I just love watch and treasure the moment. It also depends on how cold the water is.
There wasn't too much wind while the weather was nice. The boys were able to get the kites in the air at one point. The lack of wind made excellent conditions for having a campfire on the beach and roasting marshmallows to make s'mores, my second favorite thing to do. While we waited for the appropriate roasting coals to emerge, we were treated to the most beautiful sunset I've seen in Westport. I was completely mesmorized.
Other activities we did that rounded out a perfect summer retreat were swimming in the very nicely heated pool, my third favorite thing to do, and BBQ'ing on the deck. At the insistance of Colin, we went bowling and ate pizza at the local bowling alley. One day we had a lovely picnic lunch and afterward tried to build a replica of Windsor castle out of sand, which by the way, failed miserably. I guess we won't be entering in the next local sand castle competition anytime soon.
Matt took the opportunity to do his favorite new beach hobby - surfing. He tried to get Colin to come surf with him as he has done before, but Colin wasn't in the mood for squeezing into a wetsuit. Who could blame him! Hanging ten is not on my list of favorite things to do, so I more wisely chose to work on my scrapbook instead. With scrapbooking, I can enjoy the view and not worry too much about, well... injury or death.
All too soon our time at the beach had come to an end. We had such a nice time that I did not want to leave. Of course, I usually never want to leave the beach. This instance was worse than usual. Perhaps it is because I knew the summer break chaos that awaits me upon my return.
Since I had never been up to the Westport lighthouse, Colin demanded that I accompany him & Matt on their adventure. We rode our bikes the quarter mile it takes to get there, and hiked up the 100+ steps to the top. Walking up wasn't a problem, it was coming down that sent me for a loop. I don't like heights when I'm on stairs, as it gives me the willy nillys. But, I tredged down very slowly working through being weak in the knees. I will say that it was worth the trouble. The view from a top is fantastic!
One of my favorite things to do at the beach is when all three of us play fetch with Lani in the waves. Colin will play his usual chase and run away from the waves, although in the summer he's more flexible with letting the waves get him. Matt will throw a tennis ball into the water and Lani will leap and bound with great abandon into the surf to bring the ball back to him. Sometimes I'll participate in these activities, however mostly I just love watch and treasure the moment. It also depends on how cold the water is.
There wasn't too much wind while the weather was nice. The boys were able to get the kites in the air at one point. The lack of wind made excellent conditions for having a campfire on the beach and roasting marshmallows to make s'mores, my second favorite thing to do. While we waited for the appropriate roasting coals to emerge, we were treated to the most beautiful sunset I've seen in Westport. I was completely mesmorized.
Other activities we did that rounded out a perfect summer retreat were swimming in the very nicely heated pool, my third favorite thing to do, and BBQ'ing on the deck. At the insistance of Colin, we went bowling and ate pizza at the local bowling alley. One day we had a lovely picnic lunch and afterward tried to build a replica of Windsor castle out of sand, which by the way, failed miserably. I guess we won't be entering in the next local sand castle competition anytime soon.
Matt took the opportunity to do his favorite new beach hobby - surfing. He tried to get Colin to come surf with him as he has done before, but Colin wasn't in the mood for squeezing into a wetsuit. Who could blame him! Hanging ten is not on my list of favorite things to do, so I more wisely chose to work on my scrapbook instead. With scrapbooking, I can enjoy the view and not worry too much about, well... injury or death.
All too soon our time at the beach had come to an end. We had such a nice time that I did not want to leave. Of course, I usually never want to leave the beach. This instance was worse than usual. Perhaps it is because I knew the summer break chaos that awaits me upon my return.
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