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friday four {beach edition}

Finally Friday… whew. Since we are heading to the beach soon, I thought I’d share some of my beach bag necessities.

1. Turkish-T Beach Towels

I love these towels. And you know I am throwing around the word “love” loosely. At least I didn’t say obsessed. They are light weight and come in so many beautiful colors. I also like that you can use them for other things… blanket, bathing suit coverup, table cloth, etc. Get you some.

2. Books

Prior to having children, I would take at least five books on beach vacations. And, I would finish them. Now, I spend the majority of the trip chasing two boys with sunscreen and bug spray. I still like to pack a couple of beach reads in case all the stars align, and I actually get to sit down.

This year I am taking “Z” a novel about Zelda Fitzgerald. It has great reviews and will be fun to read during the summer of Gatsby.

I also recommend “Rules of Civility” by Amor Towles.

3. Floppy Hat or Fedora

Big, floppy sun hats are so cute at the beach. They also keep your face shaded, which will keep you from looking like a leather handbag. Bonus points.

Straw fedoras are also a great option. Yes, I realize this is a man’s hat. I have an abnormally large head. I like to think it is because my brain is so big.

4. Baggu Bags

Baggu reusable bags are great to have on hand. They fold up into a little pouch. I always throw a couple in my beach bag. It never fails that we end up coming back with more stuff than we took to the beach. Everything just expands… and my children are magpies. The zipper bags are also great for wet swimsuits. Or sand crabs.

Since I am linking up with A. Liz Adventure’s FIVE on Friday, I will throw in a link to my favorite beach beauty items. Man, I bet you feel like you just won the Powerball.

5. Beach Products

Of course, these things are in addition to sunglasses, tons of sunscreen, snacks and a Stanley thermos of mimosas. I. Can’t. Wait.

Have a great weekend and happy Memorial Day!

wowie

May 24, 2013

beach, books, friday 4, products, stylin’
mayday mayday

And just like that, another school year comes to a close. Of course, Graham waited until the last week to decide to dress himself…

I also waited until the last week to have the most genius idea ever. Most mornings this year have looked something like this…

It is super hard to wake them up (not sure where they get that), and get them going. Each morning has consisted of repeated calls (that progress into yells) to get their lazy bums downstairs. Yesterday, I decided to try a different approach and blasted Gangnam Style on the Bose (sorry, neighbors). Within minutes, they were both dancing down the stairs. No one had to yell, they got a little cardio before school and it was extremely entertaining to watch. Talk about a (bad) parenting breakthrough.

Plus, I’m sure their teachers loved being referred to as “sexy lady.” It IS teacher appreciation week so bonus points.

Not sure if I’ve mentioned it, but Wells is reading. All. The. Time. When I was growing up, I loved to read. I would have to hide to do it because my parents were all, “get your face out of the book and go get into trouble or something.” Of course, that made me want to read even more. Well played, parents. I shall follow your lead.

The other night, Graham asked me to marry him. Not right now, he said. Later. I just wanted to squeeze him in half.

He also asked me if I would homeschool him. And he asked when he could start drinking coffee. I didn’t tell him, but the marriage thing is more likely. I mean, this guy and caffeine?

No. Just no.

wowie

May 17, 2013

baby g, summer, Wells
It’s Magical

Steve and I went to California last week. I was going to post some pictures, but then realized I never wrote about our Disney World trip.

It was in March.

Who goes to Disney World and doesn’t post pictures? I should have my blog license revoked. In my defense, we aren’t big Disney people. SK and I both went growing up, and we took Wells when he turned four. But given a choice, we would take the beach any day. I know. You are appalled. Please don’t hold it against me. Something about the long lines, heat, crowds, and did I mention the long lines? We probably would have “forgotten” about taking Graham at four, but sweet Mawmaw Sarah offered to take him. (G you owe your Mawmaw big time.) Before we left, Steve asked one of my friends why she likes Walt Disney World so much. (Yes, he threw in the “Walt.”) She replied, “It’s magical… there is music in the trees.” I made a mental note to appreciate the tree music while waiting in all. the. lines.

Before we left, my parents went into grandparent panic mode and were 100% sure we would lose Graham. They made me promise to put him in one of those baby leashes. I borrowed one from a friend, but homey was not having it.

The day before we left, I was flipping through pictures from our last trip and came across this one…

Wells actually turned four while we were there, and so I decorated the room. Graham saw the picture and said he couldn’t wait for his Disney decorations so, you know…

I am a pushover.

There was a lot of “whoa” face…

Look at these jazz (man) hands… looks like somebody likes Disney a little more than she is letting on. (Just FYI, Fastpass is the key to my Disney happiness.)

Lucky for us, our kids aren’t hard core Disney either. Don’t get me wrong, they loved it. They were just done and ready to head to the pool by lunch time. And that was more than fine with us. Oh, except for all the money we wasted flying to Orlando to go to a pool.

They did the pool water slide about 100 times each day. Maybe that explains why Graham fell asleep at dinner every night.

By the fourth day, we were all worn out. I don’t know how you seven dayers do it. Overall, we had a fantastic trip. The weather was perfect, everyone had a blast and we didn’t lose Graham. Now that is magical.

wowie

May 13, 2013

family, florida, travel