BOXERS OR BRIEFS?...
We had the time of our lives running up and down the beach, jumping waves and plopping into the water. We wore ourselves out! There was only one hitch, our britches kept falling down. We quickly found the solution...strip 'um off! Wes was down to boxers and me...I sported my rocket ship briefs. We had no shame. In fact, we thought it was great until our undies stockpiled loads of sand. We thought Wes was a different kind of dirty given the amount in his boxers. Dad had to double check--ALL CLEAR, just sand here. Oh, I wish we could replay the sounds we heard on the beach this day. It was a sound mom could listen to daily. The relaxing sound of the ocean and the wind blowing past toppled by 2 big boy belly laughs that instantly made you smile. We worked and played until Aunt Carley and mom called us in for a quick scrubbing and some dinner. We had to save some energy for the evening crab hunting affair. A whole 'nother experience to remember. 
And the sun went down on the sandcastles too.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
BEACHERS FOR LIFE...
Last summer we were lucky enough to have Janet Roe photograph our family on the beach. This summer mom just could not pass up the opportunity. Although she has no skill when compared to Janet, she tried and tried to capture the "real RGT;" My smile, my playfulness, my overflowing spirit. It took 2 tries (5:30 and 7) and 2 large chip clips to keep my sweater in place, but mom accomplished her goal. She loves me and she loves me on the beach even more.
What could make the evening even more special you ask? We had dinner as a family of 3 on the deck as the sun was setting. No mosquitoes this go round...we sprayed! It was picture perfect.
We could not believe it was our last night on the beach. We took an extra walk and settled in for the night with a handful of good books.
When I was tucked in tight mom and dad took the opportunity to watch the waves solo this time...strangely enough it was the closest thing they have had to a date since their anniversary. A time they will not soon forget.
Mom thought she would take advantage of the deck and decided to sleep outdoors...not so sure she will try that one again. The mosquitoes found the 2 small spaces she had not sprayed and attacked in full force. She work up around 3 am with her eyelid swollen shut. OUCH! She quickly applied the ointment and snuggled into a bed located indoors...mosquito free is the only way to be.
Until next time, we will reflect. We are still talking about our time at the beach and how much we wish we could return. We are beachers for life!
THIS MUGS FOR YOU...
Hum, what do you do when you are fresh out of clean coffee mugs? Dad knows...you pull a prank on Aunt Carley. He found the smallest mug and then laughed himself silly as he offered her up some brew. You gotta keep these folks caffeinated.
LAND LUBBERS...
Let me just go on record by stating, "Can I live here forever? I want to stay at the beach everyday!" Mom will second that motion. A weekend was just not long enough. We were surrounded by family and living each and every moment to the fullest. Romping on the beach 3 times a day is my idea of living! I will admit, the mosquitoes devoured me. I was left with knots, welts and all kinds of itch, but it was nothing that a prescription cream and a few bandaids could not handle. We were a sickly bunch, but the beach just brings out the goodness in you. Cough, fever, snot, who cares? Salt water will heal you right up. Or at least we thought we would give it a try--and try we did. We jam packed our days and our nights with lots of beach time--play time that is. We tried out all of the 30 something sand toys and fished for whatever we could find in the ocean. It was amazing! You could see your feet...no more brown water. The sand was super soft and the water was clear out to waist deep. We surfed and then we turfed and then we just passed out! I am sure the crabs are feeling a since of calm now that we are home again, but we sure did have fun running down the beach with a bucket in one hand and a flashlight in the other. 30's and 3's, 50's and more were all drawn to the beach for the evening crab hunting affair. There were big ones and little ones and really fast ones too! AGHHHHH! They will pinch your little fingers off you know.
Whether we were on the beach or on deck swinging to the sounds of the ocean waves, we were family and enjoying every minute. Even those "put up your dukes, that's mine moments" made the beach trip real and loads of fun.
Happy Birthday Aunt Kaci...Celebrating Sweet 16 on the beach sounds good to me!
KING'S CONFECTIONS...
The devastation of the island is still apparent in some areas of Galveston, but we were amazed by the spirit of the people and the work that has been done over the last year. Lala posed under a strip of tape that represented the water line in King's Confections. Some buildings marked their line with paint or their windows with a strip of tape. The videos we saw on tv did not give credit to the people...they have really come toghther to rebuild. As we shopped the strand we saw books of photos and a published book about Ike as well. Tears filled our eyes flipping through those pages. We are so thankful to have Galveston get aways.
Kings's Confections is home of the yummiest homemade ice cream and hand pulled taffy around. When in Galveston it is a must see...make that a must taste. Lala had been dreaming of their coffee ice cream since our discovery last summer, but my favorite flavor will remain the cherry pie. Mom let me pick. She held me up to the 3 loaded cases and walked me from one side to the other. I was completely overwhelmed and simply stated, "I don't know. I can't decide." A tasting was in order. We selected everything pink...cherry pie is a winner! YUMMY! Mom even traded in her chocolate chip for a scoop of mine. What does that tell you?
BOWLING FOR BIRTHDAYS...
What makes the perfect Sunday afternoon? Good food, family and lots of bowling fun.
We were tested in the funniest of ways. Did we have patience? Oh yeah!
We decided to eat at Polo's only to discover they are closed on Sunday. We decided to bowl in Bellaire only to discover the lanes were booked until after 5. When we finally got 2 lanes at a new alley one of the lanes was busted, our balls were stuck, the game reset with each roll of the ball. After bowling, we decided to top of the afternoon with a scoop of ice cream and a birthday song only to discover that 3 parlors have gone out of business.
We were not discouraged...we laughed...hard. It is simply our luck :) We drove on and moved the celebration to the next venue. Happy birthday Uncle Jeff and daddy too. I sure did have fun! I am a fantastic bumper bowler! I am ready to play any day. 
SO SAD...
Have you ever see a child not get his way? Well, this is me. I am so sad. Mom can't remember why, but the whole world knew it at the time. Mom is so glad we are quickly approaching 4. Get me free of the terribly frustrating threes. PLEASE!
I can go from so sad to happy camper in a matter of minutes. Watch out! These sweet baby eyes tell it all. Happy or sad I know I am loved! Have a little patience and you too can watch me transform.
YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM A BIRTHDAY DAD!...
Bucca de Beppo--You're how old? WOW! "Your almost bald. That's so cool. I bald second. Alright?"
"32 in a really long number. I am 3 that is a short number."
Happy Birthday Dad! We love you.
DOWN, SET, GROSS-GROSS!...
Feel intimidated? Mom can only imagine what is going through my head right now. I come up with the funniest ideas and they literally pop into my head every minute of the day. This fruit rope was not intended to be a mouth guard. Rather, it was a set of braces. Mom can remember when she used to uncurl paperclips and sport her own make believe braces. Oh, how the tables have turned. Organic fruit has to be better than metal. I kept this mushy rope in my mouth until the slime overruneth. Then it was a session of tears as I mourned the lost braces and moved on to my next creative act.
On a side note, see these eyes? When I feel the need to be "real serious" one eye must be squinted. Mom has begged me to keep them open. She fears my lefty might stay a squint--it can happen you know. Believe her, she is "the boss." As I tell dad, "YOU ARE NOT THE MOM!" So, this squint is for you...I can only squint my left so that's all you get for now. 