By the Beautiful Sea

We are loving our beach bum lifestyle.

I'm sitting in bed now feeding Vivian, listening to the sounds of kids playing and smelling Tom's awesome breakfast!

 
 

We spent lots of time in the sand and surf yesterday, today even more I hope.

We are ironing out the kinks in our operation... with four little kids we have found we need a plan and lots of provisions to avoid many trips back and forth.

 

They love playing in the sand but they would much rather be running in the waves.

Bella and her Daddy are both on the look out for perfect shells.

Playing with Nana and Pappy... I actually saw my Dad run yesterday, haven't seen that in a while.

And then Tom found this guy.

The lifeguard said if it was this close to shore it was probably dead... nope.

Still kicking! This was when Dad went from fun to awesome in the eyes of his children.

This was them watching him scurry away.

Except Daniel.... notice he is moving away. He is chasing seagulls.

Like its his job.

All of them are.

I was walking back to our chairs with Bella and she started moving away from me.

Just as I turned my head to see why she breaks into a run and I hear her saying over and over again,

"Seagull, seagull. seagull. seagull..... sseeaagguulll!!!!"

 Daniel would follow them to Delaware if he thought he had a chance of catching one.

It's hilarious.

So in short they are loving it, and when we are not out their you can find them here... longing to get back out again.

"At the beach, life is different.

Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. 

We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun."

-Unknown

The Ocean

Yesterday we kissed Jack goodbye, handed my cousin our house keys, and headed for the Beach.

Tom's mom told me to remember that the drive is half the fun... I hope not because it was not very fun at all. We hit Phillie right at rush hour.

That's a bad thing people.

But we made our way slow and steady and kept our optimism... thanks to our new DVD player and micky mouse.

And the tunnels... the kids thought the tunnels were pretty awesome.

Snacks were very helpful also.

We finally got to Ocean City around seven.... we were aiming for three, then six.... yeah, it was rough.

But oh so worth it....

Bella was here once for a few hours when she was Vivian's age.

 
 

So really it was a first for all of them.

They were awe struck.

Look at the lights!  The sand is so soft! It's getting in my flip flops!

Daniel had a silly grin from the moment his toes hit the sand.

Then they all hit the surf, and for the first time the felt the cool saltwater rush over their feet and around their ankles.

Then they giggled and wobbled as the sand ran out from under them. At some point they all fell down.

Made me miss my Gram, she could never stand in the surf either... at least as long as I knew  her, which was from her seventies on.  Is this a normal thing for the young and elderly? Or is it just our weird gene pool.

After a decent night sleep we are off to hit the sand in the sun and soak up the memories.

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” 

--Jacques Cousteau

Fun... Check!

Bella will start kindergarten this fall so up till now summer hasn't meant much in the way of change for us. Life with little ones is always life with little ones.
Life revolves around nap time... skip it and you'll be sorry.
But this summer has been different than the last four or five. We are doing more "summer" things.

 

We are skipping naps in favor of long exhausting days by the pool.

Full of sun and fun... but Exhausting with a capital E.

Its hard work making sure everyone's head stays above water.

We are spending mornings in pajamas in front of the tv, and eating goldfish for breakfast.

Summer is a vacation right? well I'm taking a break from worrying about what they are eating.

But I am worrying more about getting in all the fun we can... squeezing out every last drop of summer so that when it ends we can look back and say we did it right... and enjoy the next thing.

We even made a list of things we want to do! Inspired by this awesome blog and drawn up by Andrea... who is the advocate and overseer of all things summer.

I don't have a picture of it yet but it goes something like this...

...beach...

...night swim...

...outdoor movie...

...s'mores...

...campfire...

...Ice cream on the cow at King Cones....

...visit the aviary...

...first sleepover...

...Hartwood Acres...

...rent a boat...

...go to the zoo...

... it goes on and on just oozing fun!

(and exhaustion... but it's always worth it... I think...)

And of course the un-scripted fun with our cousins at the pool

Adorable Allie Grace, chillin with Vivian Grace.

She was trying to tell her that the hat was just ruining her look.

We had to tell her that function trumps fashion when your only three months old.

She was not in agreement....

But she soon she found a baby she could be in charge of and all was well.

That is her ever doting Nana there... my Aunt Kathy.

It was Vivan's first time in the pool... a milestone akin to walking if your a part of the Morgan family.

She was happy as a clam to chill with Aunt Andrea and Aunt Christi, Allie's Mama.

And Aunt Julie.

And Allie's Dad.... Uncle Nate. 

Don't worry those are not his sun glasses.

We take this very seriously around here. 

If you don't come into this world loving water we see that as a character flaw and set out to "fix" you... isn't that right Aunt Jeanne? We are missing you by the way! Only a few more "sleeps" till we get to see you!!!

Its history and memories in the making... having all the cousins together again by the water... just like when we were growing up but now with the new generation.

Now we are gearing up for another fun, busy weekend, hoping the rain holds off and trying to check a few things off the summer list. 

Sleepover with "the boys" and "Gnomeo and Juliet" on the patio I hope.... seems appropriate right?

Movie about yard Gnomes.... in the yard... HA!

Ok enough with the cheesiness.

I'm off to find some fun with my favorite little people!

Happy Weekend!