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...not 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, so that we could  cruise along the beach a bit faster than walking. When we arrived at our destination and 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. Driving along the mile-long trail to get to the ocean, was
lovely!

    After being awe-struck for a moment at the beauty of it all, I realized that my children couldn't wait to dig their feet into the sand. Their first instinct was 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!

LOTION

    Little miss Amber just LOVES lotion and I have periodically found her in situations just like this! I love it!
    

    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 I can get mad at this...I find it to be COMPLETELY ADORABLE!  After all,  it's only lotion, greasy hair, a slippery kitchen table and a beautiful Amber, with globs on her face.  Look at how proud she is though! 

    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.