Happiness in a Cup

We contemplated the fancy yogurt shop in town.

The getting out of the car, the getting in the shop, the $20 for everyone's treat, the mess all over everyone's shirt, the getting back in the car.

So, we decided to head toward the golden arches and get everyone nice self-contained milkshakes.

Let me tell you, the McD's have upgraded their milkshakes from back in the day.  Whip cream, a cherry on top, and a generous portion, all this worked out well for the kiddos.



And mommy and daddy got 20 minutes of peaceful conversation in the car.

{Eli and Colin finished their milkshakes just fine. Walker declared that he had enough sugar and stopped halfway through. Comments like that certainly don't come from my side of the family, in fact we are still searching for the origin.}

Favorite!

Saturdays in this summer-of-busy have meant adventure days. Days to go and see and experience and to recharge ourselves as a little family.

And it has worked.



Brothers, having the time of their lives together.



The bumper cars are one of the favorites.  This picture is one of my favorites. I know the focus is all wrong and you can't see their faces, but still.  My two little race car drivers loving every moment of doing big kid things.  I just wish they were in opposite cars, so they could be 1 and 2. But I suppose it is okay for Eli to be number 1 every now and again.



Linking up as part of Beth's You Capture: Summertime

Some Things are Hereditary

I've always had an irrational fear of people puppets.  People dressed up in giant costumes do not comfort me.

Yes, I know it is irrational, but it has been going on for years.  We are talking 4 years old to umm, recently, people.

Since having kids and taking trips to Disney World, I have come a long way.

See (2008).


I have worked hard to make sure I don't pass this disorder to my children.

But, apparently some things are just instinctual.



Eli's reaction


No matter the pleading, he was having none of it (and it is hilarious that he is using is baby brother for protection).


Can't say I blame him.  They are creepy.

Sometimes You Should Just Set the $5 on Fire

So we decided to buy the boys one treat, just one treat.



$5 for some ice and $.05 worth of flavored syrup.



There was enough time for a brain freeze.



But that was about it.


And, just one treat it is. As in, everybody got one bite, but they really enjoyed that one bite.

A Cool Day at the Theme Park

I don't think I have ever been to a theme park not in the sweltering southern heat and humidity.  I've also never had a major theme park 10 minutes from the house.  Well, that was before Saturday.  I highly recommend both.

We headed out to California's Great America. It is a theme park with a water park inside.  It was too cold (in July, Ha!) to do the water park, so we stuck to the (mostly) dry areas.

How our day began, with a ride on a double decker carousel.

I don't know why Colin was so upset on the carousel.  He loved it just a few weeks ago, but this time he would not let go of me.

They have a whole kid-themed area with rides for the kids.

The only trauma was when we encountered a ride that Walker and Eli could ride, but Colin could not.  He doesn't exactly understand that he is smaller than them. But there was always something around the corner to take his mind off of the, I'm-still-a-toddler-not-a-big-boy woes.

There was riding.




And driving.


And watching.




And bravery (by one, in particular) on the "big" ride.


And almost napping (but never giving in).


And promises to come back another day, because that is the beauty of the park being only 10 minutes away.

Eli Leads

All the boys loved the day at the beach, but Eli led the crew in all things ocean, sand and surf.  It is funny that my little one that looks like a surfer boy really is a surfer boy at heart.

He was the first to approach the waves.

The first watching and contemplating the ocean


Searching for inspiration {as mommy searches for a frame}


Inching closer


Waiting


Getting caught {in the coldest water ever}


And loving it.


And getting soaked {because the cold really doesn't matter (to him)}




Taking on the ocean


Sand building


Staying in the ocean so long his lips turn blue and he is shivering. {and warming up with towels and cuddles from mommy}


Digging with daddy


And loving the beach just a little bit more than everyone else.

Waves

The ocean is healing.  The vastness, the beauty, the roar of the water drowning out everything else, the constant change and moving; it helps me put everything in perspective.



For our last date night Jason and I went to Half Moon Bay (about 45 minutes away) for dinner at sunset.  The food was average, but the company and watching the sun slip behind the waves was perfect.

The next morning we knew we want to take the kids.  Not for the romantic dinner, but for the beautiful sandy beaches.

They thought this was a good idea.


The beach for 4th of July weekend, why not?

Half Moon Bay was great, lots of family digging in the sand and dipping their toes in the ocean.  The water is still cold, but the beach was beautiful and it was the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

There was much excitement {and support of Japan}


I love getting all three in the same shot {even if there is some other strange guy in there as well}


Everyone got new sand buckets {since the ones mommy had so carefully packed were still sitting in the living room}


Auburn support, and protection from the intense sun.  It is so much easier to get burned here. Although, Colin doesn't care. He unwilling to get along with his hat. Therefore, he gets sunscreen in the hair from now on. {no burns, yet. well, at least not on the kids}


And four able bodied ditch diggers ready to go. {there are no words for how tired they were at then end of this day}


It is hard work moving sand all around the beach, but I suppose it has to be done.


And inside the hole is the warmest place on the beach. {they can did mommy's wind protection first next time}


You know; getting water to build sand castles and making deals on the phone. Quite the multi-tasker.


The beach is just fun. The boys can play and play, a world of endless possibilities.  There is always more sand to dig, more waves to crash, more footprints to leave. No high priced entertainment, no need for movies or computers, just simple fun.  The smell of sunscreen and the feeling of peace overwhelms us all.