I have very fond memories of going to the beach as a teenager and spending all day Saturday there - baking (more like frying really) in the sun. I enjoyed the people watching. I have always wanted to take my kiddos to the beach in the hopes that they will have some of the same fond feelings for it that I do. I truly is the ONE thing I miss about living in Cali.
Saturday morning we got up, not in a rush or hurry, got the kids ready and headed to the beach. We invited my mom to go along with us and she did. This was only her second time ever going to the beach at Newport Beach. The first had occurred just a couple of weeks before our invitation. Caroline was terrified of the surf going back out and didn't like the rushing feeling against her at all. The water was terribly cold but that didn't seem to stop Owen. he just kept going back. Adam helped the kids build a sand castle and Owen was determined to put water in the middle of it and "fill it up." A few waves helped with that but he still kept going back for more.
Howie hung out with my mom under the umbrella in the shade. But, despite my best efforts, he still ended up getting sunburned. I think it was the picture I insisted on taking with all three of them in the sun. Fortunately, the burn was too bad, but I still felt guilty nonetheless.
The hope for making lasting and fond memories of the beach seems to have worked. Now, every time Owen and Caroline see a picture of the beach, hear the word beach or, sometimes out of the blue, will talk about the beach and wanting to go back. THAT is definitely one promise I will keep for as long as I can.
We had a great time at the beach. The weather was be-a-u-tiful, even for California weather. Seriously, it couldn't have been more perfect.
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One other memory that was made and captured was the celebration of Howie's first birthday. We didn't celebrate Howie's birthday on his actual day - we couldn't. It just wasn't going to happen despite the desire to do so. After the beach, we went to the place for Mexican food while visiting my parents (a trip to see my parents MUST include at least one visit to this place). Between my mom and I we couldn't shovel the refried beans into Howie fast enough. It was so delish! Sunday was the actual day of celebrating Howie's momentous occasion. We grilled and had yummy food. It was topped off by and even yummier dessert. My mom made a wonderful chocolate sheet cake. We all loved it. Howie was the first and only kid of ours to actually do something with/to the cake. Owen cried. Caroline wouldn't touch it and Howie didn't do great, but once he got going was happy! Howie would use his thumb like a spoon. He would get a bunch of cake on it and then suck it off. It was funny to watch him do this. By the looks of things, he loved the cake too!
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We all had such a great time. We can't wait to go back again and again - hopefully sooner rather than later and, definitely BEFORE school starts again.
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