GLORIOUS DAY AT THE COAST

Wednesday, June 25, 2008  we decided to take a day trip to the Pacific Ocean. It was a magnificent day. It wasn't too hot nor too cold. We like to take these short "day" outings to the coast and be able to come back to our home and the comfort of our own bed.

We took the two Yamaha Rhinos to cruise along a bit faster than walking (I had to get back by 4:00 to get to a meeting in Eugene) and they made for more fun. When we arrived at our destination and we realized that we were the only people there, it was heaven for Bill and I. Neither of us like crowded areas so this was delightful. We threw all of our stuff in the back of the Rhino's and off we went. The trail to the ocean is about 1 mile long and then you turn the corner, go up a small hill and at the top you get surprised that the ocean is right there. It is breath-taking!

After being awe-struck for a moment at the beauty of it all, my kiddos didn't want to waste time. Their first instinct is to find the biggest, unharmed shell, or the perfect sand dollar, or something rare that hasn't been discovered by them at the ocean. We usually don't find the greatest of things here, it's just the company and the atmosphere that makes this little favorite spot of beach seem like our own.

We begin our searches, bags in hand, eyes focused on all the washed up shells. As we are walking along, and just shortly after each of my kids has already found their perfect sand dollar, Maddy spots "Patrick" stranded on the shore. I have never before seen a real star fish just lying around. I was a bit freaked out at the feel of it and at the way he just clung to the rocks on his underside. He was even holding a perfect, exceptionally small sand dollar. Maddy carried poor Patrick around with her for a while trying to decide if she should throw him back or just keep him, because deep down she knew this probably wouldn't happen again. She did the right thing and had dad throw it back out into the ocean.

We had a great day. We all got a bit sunburned, but who cares? It was great!

GOTTA LOVE INDEPENDENCE

This hasn't been a first for Amber. She will quickly slap lotion on her body, before I walk into the room.  I have that deep, sinking feeling that this won't be the last one.

I guess that I am part to blame for this darling little girl soaked in lotion, ONLY IN THE FACT that I, myself love lotion. I have a bottle of lotion in every room in my house, so it really isn't that hard for Amber to find one.

In the whole of all this, I am a proud mama to know that my 2 yr. old can help herself get comfortable, OR in trouble whichever she is really trying to accomplish.  There is no way to get mad at this, at least from me the one who has the hardest time not laughing at cute times like this.  After all,  it's only lotion, greasy hair, slippery kitchen table and a beautiful Amber with globs on her face.  Look at how proud she is though. She tried AND smelled wonderful the rest of the day AND gave me an excuse to visit Bath and Body Works for a replacement bottle.

The other day I found a similar incident in my room, where she had lathered up our TV remote with lavender lotion and I still giggle when I use it to turn the TV on at night.  Such good times shouldn't be forgotten, or condemned, but rather wrapped carefully with love and placed in our memory chamber.  I love her and wouldn't trade her for anything.