It's a Shore Thing

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen

For over a decade, Dave and I have traveled to our favorite summer spot.

We've traveled as a family of two plus cat, two plus cat and new baby, and two minus cat plus two babies.

Our family changed things up a bit this year with our annual trip to the Shore by tucking it right into the middle of summer. We also added another baby to our troop and invited Dave's family to join since they initially began this family tradition. 

(Sissy is always kissing Cash and making sure he's comfortable by doing things like pulling off his socks.)

Little and I joined the group a little late this year since we had a wedding in Atlanta. My heart warmed to see how excited the kids were to see us when we arrived. 

(Sissy is pressing my plane ticket on Cash's leg because she was sure it was one of those temporary tattoos.)

Because reading time is so important to our family, story-time has become synonymous with the old blue couch and screened-in front porch....

(This photo says so much--Hunter educating everyone on what we've learned, Emerson mimicking just what Big Bro has said, Cash not being able to keep his eyes of his Bigs and Daddy smiling at what has become his biggest fan.)

...while the back house provided a favorite cousin and plenty of pre-meal Tad and Lilly entertainment .

 The summer stay delivered beautiful weather,

seasonally appropriate crowded beaches, and edge-of-your-seat Lifeguard competitions.

 Our littles got into the spirit cheering on our own beach Lifeguards. Naturally, they won.

They also enjoyed other activities like burying innocent bystander's feet in the sand,

quietly hanging, 

shoulder-riding,

and a little roughhousing.

(Whatever Big Bro does, Sissy is sure to follow suit....)

(Poor Cousin James didn't even stand a chance with these two Rugrats.)

Similar to home, we kept a routine with Shore mornings starting with a leisurely pajama breakfast followed by a run on the boardwalk.

 Sunscreened with sippys and coffee in tow we would set out.

 This was sometimes followed by a little friendly family competition

then onto family-friendly downtime and beach time.

 

 

(James soon showed he could hold his own in the roughhousing department.)

(This photo is blurry but was too cute and heart-warming to leave out.)

Close family friends joined in on the week's fun

 and built a special bond with our littles over playground trips

chocolate ice cream and milkshakes. 

(These two became fast friends. I think it started with ice cream and ended with him agreeing to keep her leisurely Princess pace.)

(I loved this photo so much that I Instagramed it right up.)

(I am @mylittlehappies on Instagram)

 

 

Seeing them with my in-laws reminded me that there is truly nothing like old friendships.

 We finished off our last days with plenty of beach time,

 rest time,

 and visits to the local Iceberg.

Always curious what each new trip will bring us, Mother Nature delivered this year with a rainbow that  arched fully over the span of the sea.

 

When the week was over we wrapped it up tight with pink-hued sunset kite flying, boat climbing and just enjoying each other's company.

 

Until next year Kerr!

 

"Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power 

to make us think things we like to think."

- Robert Henri

Donuts and Lemonade Reading Party

"Books are a uniquely portable magic."

-Stephen Kind

If you were to ask me what my hobbies are or my favorite past times, reading would inevitably top the list. I have always loved to read and I have my parents to thank for that. They spent countless hours reading to my brothers and I on their laps, in rooms, and on porch swings.

I am fortunate enough to now have them read to my own littles.

During the summers, my mom would take the three of us to her aunt's beach house for a month. As sure as the sun rose and set each day, she would read to us. I loved the anticipation that built during the day as my mind swirled with thoughts as to just what would take place next for the Bobbsey Twins. 

It was never the summer reading I was required to do for school but the books we read as a family that moved me. I absolutely, unabashedly love everything about reading a good book and often feel as if I've lost a friend when the last page is turned. 

Would I give up manicures and pedicures for a year for more time to read books? Yes.

Would I give up brownies for six months to have more time to read? You betcha.

Would I give up Prada shoes and maxi dresses? OK, now we're entering into gray areas.

But, the bottom line is, I want to instill this passion for reading into my littles. Fortunately, Dave feels the same way and I believe we've done a pretty stellar job so far incorporating reading into our every days. 

Recently, I came up with an idea to have a reading party. I love having parties and my usual motto is, "the more the merrier!" with the guest list, but with three under three, having the added stress of prepping our house for a party was a little unappealing. I figured, three kids and a couple of adults is party enough right? 

Enter the Donuts and Lemonade Reading Party. A box of munchkins, fresh lemonade and books. 

Lots and lots of books both old and new.

I truly believe that a home can never be too full of books. Our home has books in every room of our house and we have our friends and family to thank for continuing to fill it with new and interesting books. 

A few of our favorites:

*Anything by Dr. Seuss

*Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Knuffle Bunny Free, Should I Share My Ice Cream, Pigs Make Me Sneeze, I Can Throw the Ball, There's a Bird on Your Head all by Mo Willems. (Thank you Ali for introducing us to this author!)

*Pete the Cat and His New Shoes, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons both created and illustrated by James Dean, Stories by Eric Litwin (Thank you to our good friends the Overleys for introducing us to this series. Note: This family also happens to have a pretty awesome pool.)

*If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, If You Give a Pig a Party all by Laura Numeroff (Thank you KK, Sara Moulton, and Jen Day for getting us started on this series.)

*The Wizard of Oz by L.Frank Baum (We have many copies thanks to my mom and dad. The one we're currently reading has a custom drawing of the yellow brick road but the Emerald City has been converted to Atlanta with a note from my dad telling me to follow it.)

*We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

*The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone (a childhood favorite of Uncle Josh and mine!)

Thank you Mom and Dad for instilling a love of reading in me because it has proven to be a priceless gift.

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

-Emilie Buchwald