....beach bums.....

.....now that the monsoons and tropical storm from the last few weeks have passed us, we are ready for the rest of our summer to look something like this......

.....Stefan was gone over this Father's Day weekend and although he was missed, it certainly helped that in a split, spontaneous decision; I could load the kids, a few buckets, my beloved quilt , some sun screen and declare that the rest of the afternoon would be spent catching crabs and dancing in the break of waves......

.....living with access to beach again has awakened every single Florida girl sense within me that had gone dormant during my Texas and NYC pitstops......it has me craving its beauty every morning when I rise......so if it is slated to be a gorgeous day, I will find time to put our feet in the sand.....

....and my little tribe concurs......

.....today marked the third consecutive day we have paraded the shore and I know that these summer jaunts are branding within them memories that are similar, yet very different from the ones that I have as a young girl......

.....the beaches here are rugged and sharp, unlike the smooth Florida beaches I know......the water here is colder and the sea critters are more profound in CT.....less fish nipping at your ankles, but many more species of crabs to try and catch (and release) here......

.....neither beach is better over the other, just different......

......both beaches offer the soothing sound of the crashing waves and the tranquility that can only be felt  by watching the ocean and its grand presence......

....and I know that baby #4 will have many summer days in its future spent in this space that we love.....

....this space that is home.....

.....the salty air has a way of taking it all out of a child, leaving them exhausted and ready for more the next day.....

.....and energizing me through the reminder that it is summer......late nights and lazy days for all of us.....

.....I made it out one night for a trip into the city to say goodbye to another friend heading to the burbs.....

.....I am always revived by time out with friends, especially in the midst of single parenting while Stefan travels for work.....it balances me, keeps me in check and emotionally charges me for another day of the highs and lows of parenting.......thank goodness for good college girls home for the summer, ready to make money and play with my babies......its a win win for all of us.......

.....Stefan finally made it home last night too, with just enough time for a late Father's Day dinner and dessert that the girls had been planning all week......

.....they made a replica of the Daddy they love, with blue M&M glimmering eyes and swedish fish for his big, warm smile.....

....it was the perfect way to end our sandy weekend before we did it all again at the beach today......