Ft De Soto beach is my favorite place on this planet thus far. I just love the silky white sand, the gentle rolling surf, and the clear blue water. Love love love it. It doesn’t hurt that there is a dump station and free water nearby either!
When we first arrived at the beach, we followed a different path that led to a secluded, partly shaded mini beach that really was fantastic for small children, but it wasn’t the beach experience that I was looking for, so we packed up and headed back to the main beach. Even thought the water was much colder, so cold in fact that we really didn’t want to swim, we all had a fantastic time. Noah and Matthew dug to China, Molly buried herself in the sand, Katherine found seashells, and Christopher was as happy as a clam climbing in and out of the holes, and showing us shells that he would pick up. I was just so thrilled to have the sun shining on my face with the sound of the surf in the background. Pure heaven.
When we were leaving Gary was doing his “COD check” (which is what the children call his OCD inspired pre trip checklist) when he discovered that our trailer wires were severed. We drove quickly to a grocery store so I could replenish supplies while he worked on the wires. I was so happy to find that he had it all repaired by the time I was done shopping!
We then drove back to our beloved Cracker Barrel parking lot in St. Pete, where we spent the third night this week.
Today we are headed back to the home of our friends, the “Ham” family. The kids were SO excited to find out that we were going back that they begged me to drive there last night!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
We woke up in the Cracker Barrel parking lot today intending to get an early start and hit the flea market first thing. Instead Gary waxed some of the motor home and I made pancakes. We eventually made our way over there where we met up with my father.
Everyone wanted to go to the beach when we were done, but my father offered us to come to his condo, do wash, swim in the pool, and visit a bit, so that we did. The kids did little more than watch television all afternoon, and for the few minutes that I sat to watch as well I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It didn’t feel like a negative influence that I needed to limit but rather a nice indulgence.
I was able to get all my flea market fruit cut up while we were there (watermelon $4, cantaloupe $1, honeydew $2, pineapple $2, and half a flat of strawberries for $7!).
Now we are back home, in the Cracker Barrel parking lot, planning to get an early start and head to the beach in the morning!
Everyone wanted to go to the beach when we were done, but my father offered us to come to his condo, do wash, swim in the pool, and visit a bit, so that we did. The kids did little more than watch television all afternoon, and for the few minutes that I sat to watch as well I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It didn’t feel like a negative influence that I needed to limit but rather a nice indulgence.
I was able to get all my flea market fruit cut up while we were there (watermelon $4, cantaloupe $1, honeydew $2, pineapple $2, and half a flat of strawberries for $7!).
Now we are back home, in the Cracker Barrel parking lot, planning to get an early start and head to the beach in the morning!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
We had reservations to be at our beloved Thousand Trails park for the weekend, but decided instead to stay over here with our friends. The kids could not be having a better time; it really is amazing how well they all get along. And that Jason and Christy haven’t thrown us out on our ears? Nothing short of a miracle. Noah commented, “They say that they are enjoying us and want us to stay, but clearly they are lying because we are a LOT of work to have around!” lol
One of the reasons we wanted to stay was for the kids to try riding the actual BMX track. I don't have any pictures from that night, but I do have some of Matthew in their yard. He is such a daredevil!
Jason and Christy were interested in couponing, and I gave them some hints to get them started. It was hard for me, because I would have to essentially relearn everything to be back up to speed with unfamiliar stores, so I couldn't just take them and show them how to legally shoplift. As they are getting going, I’m missing having coupons. However, I don’t EVER want to have boxes coupons like I used to.
One of the reasons we wanted to stay was for the kids to try riding the actual BMX track. I don't have any pictures from that night, but I do have some of Matthew in their yard. He is such a daredevil!
Jason and Christy were interested in couponing, and I gave them some hints to get them started. It was hard for me, because I would have to essentially relearn everything to be back up to speed with unfamiliar stores, so I couldn't just take them and show them how to legally shoplift. As they are getting going, I’m missing having coupons. However, I don’t EVER want to have boxes coupons like I used to.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
We stayed in bed really late today, and frankly, I’m embarrassed by it. Getting out of bed is never easy, but when you have a warm, snuggly, just turned one year old pressed up against you it’s doubly hard.
Whenever I sleep late I’m reminded of Randy Pausch who realized that he was dying and didn’t want to miss a second of time with his family. If I were dying, would I stay in bed late? I don’t think so. I would wake up early and rouse my kids out of bed, and we would play games and do crafts and cherish every moment. I think I would also eat a lot of pork ribs.
Traveling without a tow vehicle is really hard. The minute I can figure out a solution, we will get one. Today we have a need to do laundry, not a pressing need, but it would be nice. We also need some automotive supplies, so it would be nice to run to the store. If we go, it’s going to be an all day event as we need to unhook the camper, pack up the inside, pull up seatbelts, etc. It’s a lot of work, and takes a lot of time. When ever the motor home moves, we first need to pack up everything we own, as if we were moving. So if we go, our whole day will be consumed with traveling, and the things that we need to get done around here will need to wait for another day
.
The good news is that while here with our friends, they have been very generous in offering to take us to the store, so that’s been really great, but I don’t want to impose on them any more than we have to.
Whenever I sleep late I’m reminded of Randy Pausch who realized that he was dying and didn’t want to miss a second of time with his family. If I were dying, would I stay in bed late? I don’t think so. I would wake up early and rouse my kids out of bed, and we would play games and do crafts and cherish every moment. I think I would also eat a lot of pork ribs.
Traveling without a tow vehicle is really hard. The minute I can figure out a solution, we will get one. Today we have a need to do laundry, not a pressing need, but it would be nice. We also need some automotive supplies, so it would be nice to run to the store. If we go, it’s going to be an all day event as we need to unhook the camper, pack up the inside, pull up seatbelts, etc. It’s a lot of work, and takes a lot of time. When ever the motor home moves, we first need to pack up everything we own, as if we were moving. So if we go, our whole day will be consumed with traveling, and the things that we need to get done around here will need to wait for another day
.
The good news is that while here with our friends, they have been very generous in offering to take us to the store, so that’s been really great, but I don’t want to impose on them any more than we have to.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
We are still here in the Tampa area with our friends Christy and Jason, and the weather has been beautiful. Christy and Jason have been so incredibly generous with us, it just blows me over. We are so grateful to count them among our friends.
Today was Valentine’s Day so each kid got a little plastic cup filled with candy.
It was the smallest Valentine’s Day treat we’ve ever had, but this year I wasn’t trying to fight the winter blahs. February usually finds us going stir crazy, but this year we are fully occupied all day, outside. The kids are running and biking and tree climbing and rope swinging. Our friends have four children, and our six just adore them all. I have often found that when there is a group of kids there are a couple that just don’t get along, it’s only natural with so many different personalities. But this group of ten all seem to adore each other and I have yet to hear a disagreement between them.
Today was also Christopher’s first birthday.
I didn't have anything planned, and I hadn’t really been to any stores in awhile, so while making a grocery run today I picked him up a ball, and I would have completely neglected to do that if Christy hadn’t reminded me by purchasing a gift for him herself. Ooops. Sixth child syndrome! In contrast, we had a party with over 100 people for Joshua’s first birthday.
Christy kept everyone entertained with Valentine’s Day crafts and party decorating. You can see why no one wants to ever leave here!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sweet Molly. The other day Molly grabbed Noah’s big toe and told him in an impish voice, “Noah, I’ve got your pig!” She was of course confusing “this little piggy” and “I’ve got your nose”.
Shortly after I pulled into a gas station to turn around and immediately she asked, “Mommy, can I go in with you?” I told her that no one was going in this time and she replied, “Oh, we’re just sleeping?” We all laughed out loud that our three year old assumes that we are sleeping in the parking lot at the gas station. Life on the road!
Shortly after I pulled into a gas station to turn around and immediately she asked, “Mommy, can I go in with you?” I told her that no one was going in this time and she replied, “Oh, we’re just sleeping?” We all laughed out loud that our three year old assumes that we are sleeping in the parking lot at the gas station. Life on the road!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
We have left our beloved Thousand Trails and have arrived in the Tampa area to stay in the back yard of some new friends. Tonight we joined them at the BMX track to watch their boys race. It was really fascinating to me as I’ve never seen anything like that in real life before. I imagine that it’s exhausting to ride a bicycle up and down all those hills and around all those turns!
Our friend’s son won the race!
I picked up a real feeling of community from the group. It made me miss that a little bit, but then I really had a sense of being able to sample the best of everything on the road; we can be here, partake of the friendship and community, enjoy everything they have to offer, but we don’t need to be tied to this or any one place. We can be a part of something no matter where we are as long as we are open to the opportunities.
Tomorrow we are doing a deep clean to rid ourselves of any lingering “cooties”. We’ve been wanting to rent a steam cleaner to do the rugs, so it seems like a good time to run it over anything porous.
Our friend’s son won the race!
I picked up a real feeling of community from the group. It made me miss that a little bit, but then I really had a sense of being able to sample the best of everything on the road; we can be here, partake of the friendship and community, enjoy everything they have to offer, but we don’t need to be tied to this or any one place. We can be a part of something no matter where we are as long as we are open to the opportunities.
Tomorrow we are doing a deep clean to rid ourselves of any lingering “cooties”. We’ve been wanting to rent a steam cleaner to do the rugs, so it seems like a good time to run it over anything porous.
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