P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 209 - Wedding

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 209 - Wedding

While we were at my cousin's wedding, the kids stayed with cousins for the night.  It goes without saying that the kids had a fabulous time with the girls - beach, pizza, movies, ice cream... I hope they come back again soon to hang out:-)  My Wonderful Husband and I also had a wonderful time at the wedding - my cousin and his new bride were handsome and beautiful and looked so very happy!  Congrats to them and wishing them a lifetime of love, laughter, health and happiness. xo 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 208 - Two more sleeps

P365 (+1) - 2012- Day 208 - Two more sleeps

Two more sleeps until we leave for Disney World....

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 207 - Daughter Wisdom

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 207 - Daughter Wisdom

It was a mani/pedi day for me and The Princess.  As I was looking at colors she says to me (in all of her 9 year old daughter wisdom) "Mommy, don't get the same colors you always get!  Get something different!"  Even at 9, I value her opinion, so I stepped out of comfort zone of purplish pinks and fushias and got a slightly different shade.  I am sure that OPI has a name for it, but I call it "Summer Red" (even though it sort of looks orange in this picture)  The Princess, on the other hand, is never afraid to try a new color or in today's case - colors!  She really got the money's worth out of this manicure - haha!  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 206 - Happy Hour with my favorite little fishies:-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 206 - Happy Hour with my favorite little fishies:-)

It was H-O-T today - as I found out on my much delayed run.... then I got back to find out that the beach was full of flies...and you know how I feel about that situation.  :-(  So, when My Wonderful Husband left to teach some surf lessons, the kids and I made a trip down to the library.   But after a while we decided that flies or no flies we were walking up to the beach to go for a swim.  Due to the hour and the a fore mentioned flies, we had the ocean almost to ourselves for a happy hour swim - just me and my favorite little fishies... :-)

P365 (+1) 2012 - Day 205 - "Dance in the rain"

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 205 - "Dance in the rain"

It rained and sprinkled off and on a few times while we were on the beach today, but no worries... 

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain."  

That is, until the lifeguards tell everyone that they need to get out of the water because the rain also includes some lightning and thunder in the area... ;-)  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 204 - Friends

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 204 - Friends

Many moons ago....(after leaving my job at Jersey Girl - yes that was the name of the store...;-)), I started a job at a store called Beauty Barn.  That was where I met my friend Stacey... that was about 22 years ago!  Through those 22 years, there have been times when we saw each a lot (when we lived 5 minutes from each other) and times when we hardly saw each other at all.  There was time that we lost touch and time that we got back in touch.  But through all of that, I can still sit and chat with my friend like not a minute has passed since my first days in Beauty Barn.  My family and I all love hanging out with her and her husband, Dale.   Like My Wonderful Husband said last night after they left - "I really enjoy spending time with them - They are just so easy to be around."  We look forward  to seeing them again soon and here's to another  22 years of friendship!!  xo

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 203 - Renewed!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 203 - Renewed!

Since the water was closed for swimming today for rip currents, we thought it was a good day to make the trip into PA to get my license renewed (so I can get on the plane next week)...  An hour and half each way, about 5 minutes in the DMV, a trip to Target (because that required a three hour round trip excursion for sure...), and a yummy dinner at Red Robin to make it all worth while.. then back to the beach.  I am just glad it's done and I am renewed!  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 202 - Happy Birthday to me

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 202 - Happy Birthday to me

In the words of Jimmy Buffett, today marks "one more candle and a trip around the sun".  Today I enter the last year of my 30's (which by the way...how did that happen so fast?) and I intend to "Just enjoy this ride on my trip around the sun." Happy Birthday to me.
 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 201 - Like Mother, Like Daughter

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 201 - Like Mother, Like Daughter

Years before my foray into the world of blogs, I was a journal keeper.  Apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as they say....The Princess has been a journal keeper for quite some time now as well.  But this summer she has joined me in the world of daily documentation... she has been writing in her journal every day telling the story of her adventures.  She is requesting pictures to add to her journal...  I see a guest blogger in the future..... 

P365 (+) - 2012 - Day 200 - Go figure

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 200 - Go figure

Three brand new shovels purchased last week.  Three kids digging in the sand with their bare hands this week. Go figure.  

 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 199 - Boogie Boarding

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 199 - Boogie Boarding

It was a good day for boogie boarding today.  The kids were zipping and gliding through the waves.

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 198 - just chill

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 198 - just chill

Sitting and having a cup of coffee with My Wonderful Husband is more than just about having a hot caffeinated beverage.  It is a time to sit and chat and just chill.  I look forward to these moments in our day. 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 197 - Water Park

P365 (+1) - 197 - Water Park

We met friends at the water park today and practically had the place to ourselves it was so empty!  Perfect for riding the slides over and over (and over ...way fun - but I am way wiped out...) .  Sadly the Flow Rider was closed for a contest today but that didn't spoil our fun in the least!  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 196 - Hole in One

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 196 -  Hole in One

We took the kids to play miniature golf today and it was a banner day with all three kids getting a hole in one on two holes.  My Wonderful Husband and the kids all got a hole in one on the same hole.  Not to be outdone, I needed to give it a try... I wasn't playing today - I was moral support but after seeing everyone doing so well, I decided to have a quick go at one hole.  Well, who knew we had a golf prodigy in the family?  I got a hole in one on my one and only try.  That's right - that is just how I roll.

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 195 - "That's me!"

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 195 -"That's me!"

When I was a little girl, I had a shirt that on the front said "Daddy's Little Girl" and on the back said "That's me!".  I loved that shirt and the sentiment still stands today.  I am lucky and proud to say that I have one of the best Dads around.  He has never failed to be there when I needed him.  Whether he was driving me around to deliver my papers when it rained instead of making me walk or ride my bike in the bad weather, rushing to get me the day I broke my nose,  fixing pretty much anything that needed fixing, listening to my many stories or any of the multitude of things he has done for me over the years.... He is tough, sometimes stubborn and always resilient.  He has been through a lot in recent years and the current concerns right now are formidable.  But as we discussed tonight, a strong will, a determined spirit, and hope are great weapons.  So the least I can do for the man who has always done so much for me is add my will, spirit, and hope to his arsenal - Whose got your back? That's me! ;-) xo

 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 194 - Beach Bums!

 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 194 - Beach Bums!

 Whether they are splashing in the ocean or playing in the sand - these three love the beach.  I love my beach bums!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 193 - even better

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 193 -even better

 A trip to the Skipper Dipper for some ice cream after dinner is good....running into friends while we are there...even better. :-)  

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 192 - Brave

 P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 192 - Brave


We went to the movies today to see Brave and let me just say that I loved that movie!!  I love a tough princess who can think for herself, has two parents who love her, doesn't need a prince to save her, and can shoot an arrow better than the boys.  This was far from a Disney "princess" movie - it had something for everyone and lessons galore.  In my effort to share wisdom with my children through this project, I am going to borrow the words of Merida -

"Some say fate is beyond our command, but I know better. Our destiny is within us. You just have to be brave enough to see it." 

I hope my children always think for themselves, know they have two parents who love them, never expect anyone else to save them, and most importantly are always brave enough to see their own destinies....xo

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 191 - Robin Hood

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 191 - Robin Hood

My Wonderful Husband is a big fan of all of the classic movies - Singing in the Rain, The Three Musketeers, and now playing.. Robin Hood.   The kids started watching with him and had to tear themselves away to get ready for bed.  I love that moments before they started watching a movie that was made in 1938, they were playing with a new app on my phone....and they were equally interested in both. 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 190 - Wimbledon

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 190 - Wimbledon

The kids have been watching Wimbledon with their Daddy and just like with most sports they have become a bit obsessed.  So today on the beach, with no tennis rackets available, they used  the Kadeema paddles to re-enact Wimbledon.  It was a riveting match complete with the winner falling to his knees in joy and the loser falling to his knees in defeat shouting, "Beaten by the little guy".  ;-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 189 - Upgrade

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 189 - Upgrade

My Wonderful Husband and I finally took the plunge and upgraded our phones.  You may remember a post about our old phones and how while we thought they were perfectly fine, My Wonderful Husband's college students thought they looked more like the phones one would get in a Happy Meal....But I digress... We had long discussions about whether or not we "needed" to upgrade and get a data plan and jump into the 21st century and of course the answer was no, not really...but they are pretty cool and I can sooooo get on board with all of the cool things these phones do...(as soon as I can figure it all out...)  I downloaded the instagram app along with a few other things and I am having fun playing with my new phone. :-)

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 188 - Sweet new baby

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 188 - Sweet new baby

The kids and I finally had a chance to meet my friend's sweet new baby today.  My friend and I  have been on different "kid schedules" these days and our daily runs have had to wait for now with much more important things to be taken care of :-)....  but just getting a chance for us to chat (and even get a bit of baby holding in too) was just what I needed today.  Thanks friend. xo

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 187 - The Best Big Brother Award goes to...The Bear!

P365(+1) - 2012 - Day 187 - The Best Big Brother Award goes to....The Bear!

During low tides there has been a sand bar and the kids have been loving the shallow parts as well as getting past the sand bar to boogie board or jump waves.  The only catch is that there can be a deeper section in between that is hard for The Boy to get through on his own.  Usually he either asks me or My Wonderful Husband to help him or waits it out a bit until he can do it on his own or takes his boogie board to help him get through.  But he also asks his big brother to help him.  Today I watched as The Bear walked along side his little brother and helped him through the deeper section.  My heart truly swelled.   I could not have been prouder of him.  I tell the kids all the time that as brothers and a sister, they always need to have each others' backs.  They need to watch out for each other and always be there to help each other or cheer each other on.  While sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself, it seems that some things do get through.... For truly having his little brother's back today -  The Best Big Brother Award goes to The Bear!  :-) 

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 186 - Happy 4th of July!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 186 - Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 185 - Just the way I like it....

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 185 - Just the way I like it...

The ocean was just the way I like it today at low tide - warm, calm, not too deep... it was also as clear as glass which was cool but can sometimes freak me out - it's the age old dilemma of whether or not I want to see what is swimming along side me.  But today all I saw were shells, so it was all good and I had fun swimming with the kids.

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 184 - Doing it right....

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 184 - Doing it right.....

Behold the surfing styles of the Leonard kids.... :-)

"There are a million ways to surf and as long as you are smiling you're doing it right."
-Unknown Author

P365 (+1) - 2012 - Day 183 - The Money Shot...

P365(+1) - 2012 - Day 183 - The Money Shot....

It was one of those days when not too much was going on....  I finished up some chores around the house, Eric taught surf lessons, he and the boys watched the Italy/Spain game, The Princess and I bought some new nail polish and gave ourselves manis and pedis, we had a yummy dinner and just relaxed tonight...  I got a couple of random pictures through the day- but nothing that said picture of the day....  Then, while they were watching the latest storm roll in before bed, I grabbed my camera and asked them to get together...  and there you have it - The Money Shot!