Beach bums

We FINALLY made it to the beach.  Typically we’ve had 5-10 visits by this time of year, but because of Gregg’s current work schedule (ie: no Saturdays off, and only occassional Sundays off) we hadn’t gotten to Michigan yet this season.  Boo-Hiss!

Sunday was a cooler day but lovely nontheless.  Air temp of about 75 with a stiff breeze.  Would have been great kite-flying weather.  We followed our tried-and-true beach schedule and left the house around 10 am.  We drove up to Union Pier, parked at Whistle Stop and had sandwiches.  We then drove to Pier Street Beach (the BEST public beach there — we are usually at private beaches when we rent a cottage but go to Pier Street when we are up for a day), and were delighted to see there were only 3 cars on the street — a good sign.

There were maybe 4 families on the beach when we climbed down.  The water was chilly but that didn’t stop us.  We made sandcastles

We went for a walk & collected rocks

We then prompty drove to Pumpernickle Cafe and ordered Gelato. (best part of the day if you ask me!)  When it was time to leave Sam decided he would be driving us home.  He even brought a set of keys with him (hiding in his pocket!)

We came home, went for another long walk and had dinner.  Sam fell asleep in record time (maybe 5-6 minutes) from the day’s activities.

Luckily, Grandma & Papa are coming next weekend and we’ll do it all over again!

Opiopia party time

Next week Sam and I are driving 7 hours (straight, one-way) to Minnesota for Mehaber.  We will spend three days surrounded by some of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing, some of the most beautiful children on the earth and eating some seriously righteous food.**  Sam calls it “haber” or “opiopia party time.”  He knows he is going on “cation” to see some of his “Afca” friends and, possibly mostly importantly, swim in a swimming pool.  You don’t honestly think I’d book 3 nights in a hotel without a pool, did you?  There will also be some dance parties, slumber parties, and general debauchery.

Sam has picked out which cars to take.  Sam has picked out with outfits to wear.  Sam has picked out which stuffed animals to bring.  But most importantly, Sam is practicing his swimming technique in the bathtub.  He wants to show his friends his cool pool moves.  This means we recently purchased goggles and swim fins.

Now, if you know my child, you know that he is TINY.  Well, skinny is a better word because he’s tall enough to pass for a 3-year-old, but wears 2-year-old clothing (at almost 4 years of age.)  Sam doesn’t like the feeling (the pressure) of blow-up swim fins so we had to find the foam type (like a life vest.)  We found them and they are darned cute, but they JUST BARELY fit.  No worries, as this mama doesn’t let her baby out of her arms let alone out of her site in a body of water.

Sam in a swimsuit and swim fins is close to the cutest thing on earth.  Sam in swim fins and nothing else IS the cutest thing on earth.  But he doesn’t want me to photograph him in the bath anymore.  (“Mom, it private.”)  So you’ll just have to take my word for it.  Or, go to Mehaber and hope he drops ‘trou.

**Kate and I have already consulted and I’ve been watching back episodes of Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.  We have settled upon 2 non-Ethiopian restaurants thus far.  Pizzaria Lola (can you say Kimche pizza??) and Marla’s Carribean Cuisine.  Both look amazing.  I’m guessing there will be as many food pictures as kid pictures at the end of the weekend.  Afterall, how often does one go on vacation to Minneapolis?

My beach boys

Yesterday we had a lovely afternoon with the Hosken family.  We went to Union Pier Michigan (our favorite spot), had lunch at our favorite deli, went to the beach, and then had gelato!  Really, could you have a better day? 

There was a 2-3 foot rip tide, so we had to keep the kids a safe distance to the shore but it was lovely out there with the waves and wind.  Sam had a great time in the water and then playing in the sand.  He saw lots of  “tweet tweets” or seagulls and a kite.  He got to spend time with his Tia, his girlfriends, Amalia and Adia and his buddy Amado.  Gregg and I got time away from construction.

Of course, I forgot my camera, but Amanda snagged this great shot of my guys: