The other day as I was walking around on the beach while the kids played nearby, I saw these adorable little footprints. And for a moment thought, 'how cute! little feet!'...



and, it dawned on me, they belonged to really cute little feet that I've kissed many times over.



So, I grabbed my camera and started snapping away realizing that those footprints wouldn't stay tiny for long.

Whearas last year, Ariana took off down this beach running around with out a care- this year, it took her a couple days to gain the courage to place her toes in the sand and, finally, be free enough to run and play.

She's still not brave enough to venture into the water. So, she just watches from afar. But I consider that a very good thing.



Nevertheless, when the bigger kids are out of the water and building sand castles, she has plenty of company...

I am pretty sure there is nothing these kids would rather be doing than playing in the sand.

... unless it's jumping the pool!

my dad...

I've had a little bit of a strange relationship with my Dad lately. We are 99% the same as we've always been, but 1% on a different page, as of late. And, in all honesty, sometimes that 1% can feel like a BIG number. But regardless, he's my Dad. I love him so much. Always have and always will.

Sometimes we agree like 2 peas in a pod...



and, sometimes, well- we don't... (ha ha posting this picture is payback- nice face!)



But- all the time, I love him anyway.



And, so I agreed to let him take me kayaking today. All right, actually- it was my idea. He was kind enough to oblige. It was pretty fun. Not quite as fun as kayaking with Mike in St. Thomas and almost hitting an enormous sea turtle over the head with a paddle (by accident)- but almost as fun.

rewind 2 weeks...

Looking back, I'm a bit disappointed in myself that I did not post more entries (ANY entries) over the last 2 weeks of December. I mean, what was I thinking? I do, after all, intend to make my blog into annual books (using Blurb) for the kids... that is the whole reason I started this project. And, here in the last 2 weeks of December we had all these big events that I never even posted!... for the kids.

I would be totally reminisce to leave out Grace's very first piano recital. From the moment I learned I was 1st pregnant 7 years ago, part of my 'plans' (you know how us Mom's love to make those for our kids!) included that child learning to play piano. Well, "that child" is now 6 and started piano lessons this summer. I was beyond proud to see her up there- she relished the opportunity and her only disappointment was that she didn't get to go back up and play more songs.

So, Gracie girl... here's for you... and here's for the Blurb book.



Cute little curtsy...



Proud as can be!



posing for the student picture (53 students in all!)

And one last picture, that actually includes my SON- in case you forgot I had one- I know he gets totally jipped with face time on this blog. I swear, it's not intentional.

All right- off to go fishing. Or, I should say- to watch my Dad and nephew fish.... this oughta be interesting!

today...

Hmmm... what should we do today?



Play on the beach?



Or play on the beach...

Decisions, decisions.

All right- enough of that. I am sorry. Really, truly- I am. To all my friends back in, well- you know where you live. I know it's cold. I feel for you, I really do. And, trust me, we'll have PLENTY of winter left waiting for us upon our return. But, for now, I am enjoying shorts and sitting on the deck watching and listening to the waves crashing (see picture above for a visual) as I type this note.

I must make this short- after all- I've been telling my kids for the last 30 minutes, that we're about to leave for Papa's. (My Dad's place is a mile away). And yet, here I sit- typing away. So... quickly! A recap....

The last 2 days since I wrote have been good. Just the typical getting settled, big grocery shopping, the obligatory Wal-Mart stock-up trip. I'd go to Target, but it's over 30 minutes away. Even Wal-Mart is a 20 minute drive, the closest "big-box" store. It was cloudy, overcast, cooler (68) and windy yesterday. Yes, I know, pull out the violin. I am NOT complaining, just recapping the day. But we didn't spend a whole lot of time on the beach because it was SO windy! The kids ran around in the waves for an hour- good exercise. Mike had to work all day... yes, on New Years. Big demo in Boston next week so I think this will be much more of a vacation for the kids and I than for Mike. He's been locked in our (new) bedroom for the last 2 days working and prepping... but, hey- at least he's got a good view! ;)

Since it wasn't the best outdoor weather yesterday, instead we found other ways to entertain ourselves. Take, for example, the laughs we enjoyed over silly faces. Who would've thought that putting a glass up to your face could render such a grotesque, yet hilarious, "tiny" face!??



But, today is a new day. If you are prone to tiny bits of nice weather envy, skip the following sentence.... It is 74 and sunny - and just a gentle breeze. It is time for me to sign off. The natives are getting restless.... time to head to Papa's and then down to the beach.

Until later!!