Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Back For More

Our Sunday stroll just whet our appetite.
The kids wanted on night of surfing, and you don't have to twist my arm!


Superkid and Pops had a swim party at YM to go to so we had to do our best without them.
The waves were fantastic!







This little guy ran his legs off trying to snag a seagull.





In my opinion- this is the beach is the perfect fitness program.


I love these goof-balls!


It really was the perfect evening.

I hate to pack it up- but there is no way we are packing it in for the summer!
We have made lots of trips already this summer and there are more to come!

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Sunday Stroll

This is easily my favorite Sunday afternoon family activity. We have been exploring the townie end of the beach this summer. this time we were rewarded with a little sand bar island with a giant tide pool to romp in.





August ocean water is my favorite feeling.







These two are the best of buds.

The perfect wrap up of the evening-
chocolate chip cookies and Olympic swimming!
Life is good.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Family Work

If it's Saturday it's time to roll up our sleeves. 
We work hard.
Superkid and Abizella decided that we needed some fuel. They hopped on their bikes and rode into town to pick up some pizza. While they waited for the pizza, they treated them selves to an ice-cream cone. They then duct-taped their pizza to Superkid's bike and hauled it home. 
Best pizza delivery ever. 
(How did I miss that picture?!)
People ask me if I have a cleaning lady.
I tell them I have 5.
We got busy. These old foes teamed up to clean the bathroom.
Might be my favorite picture of all time. 
The mirrors have never shined brighter.

Our Own Mini-Olympic Moment

I love the Olympics! It is the only time I'm glued to the TV. I'm wishing to be in Rio. Nothing is better then swimming of course (okay, maybe gymnastics ;) )! Today I took Team Toad to their first swim meet of the summer. 
Abz made a big splash with her hamburger cap.
Competition is where Tadpole shines. He likes to compete- but what he loved more was watching Team Toad compete. He was whooping and hollering up and down the sides of the pool to help his sis and bros get to the wall.
There was a lot of fantastic swimming and piles of ribbons!
And my favorite- Backstroke!
Backstroke!
and more BACKSTROKE!
And even breast stroke...
Superkid was dumbfounded to find that he won the first place ribbon for his least favorite stroke. He took home a lot of blue.
Here is Tadpole's debut at breast stroke...
Awesome! Right?

Team Toad shredded.
...and had fun doing it!

Friday, August 5, 2016

Feels Like Friday

The kids and I have struck a deal. They read an hour a day- everyday. I take them out for ice cream on Friday night. I really want that ice cream cone so I drill them pretty hard during the week to get it done.We usually do Cold Stone but we tried Hornstra Farms this week and I'm pretty sure we'll never go back.

Ice cream is so creamy and fresh that it immediately melts right down your arm.

Plus it is more fun to play at a farm than a strip mall.



And we get to meet our ice cream makers and the ice cream makers in the making...
Baby cows! So cute!


Then we loaded up the bikes and shoved off to our favorite bike path.

This is my little back street driver. He has an opinion about everything.
And here are the best of buds- Big Abi came to town for an ice cream and a bike ride with her favorite little guy- L.C.
We cycled the whole park. Back in the old days the bike riders among us would pedal to the next bench or fallen tree and hop off their bikes and play until the walkers caught up with them. Since we have all transitioned to bikes it has taken some convincing to get the kids to ride pass some of their favorite stops. Of course we still stop at the  old fallen tree and a stop at the beach to skip rocks is imperative.



I love this bike gang.



Monday, August 1, 2016

Blue Berry Fields

The blueberry fields are disappointing this year. It has been so so dry. But part of blueberry picking is the adventure going out to the field to see what we can see. Sometimes it is fantastic. Most of the time it is. This time it was not. But at least it was not hot and at least we were with our friends. Holly and Big Abi joined as did the Matkin clan.

We did get a handful of precious gems.
But Jake's ice cream never disappoints.
Abz' friend Napkin Face spent the day with us. We sent her home looking like a freshly shred hamburger. She took a nasty spill bike riding with Abz. There is nothing like blueberry fields and an ice cream cone to make everything better.
Thanks for the fun Monday night friends!