Field Trippin'

The field trip was 10 minutes from our house. 

We've hiked this trail a few times but only with 3 whiny kids, not 22.

4 minutes in, a little girl said, and I quote, "I hope the principal is prepared to explain to my mom and dad why I died from tiredness in my legs on this giant mountain."

My girl told her, "We're just getting started. You'll love it at the top. And you can't die from tiredness in your legs."

They were supposed to sketch as they walked.  Explain to me how you can sketch as you walk Mr. Park Ranger? 

I suggested they did it when they got to the top and could sit down. 

She packed my lunch for me that morning because she's just that sweet. 

"This is different. We never get to do this when we have come up before."

"Hey mom, this ROCKS!" as she giggled to herself. 

Going on a field trip with you my sweet girl ROCKS. 

The Promise of Donuts

My sugar checked the tide schedule. He told me when to get there.

I tried my best.

Left his hotel room a complete disaster which was extremely hard for my OCD self.

I promised my kids donuts if we skipped breakfast then, and hurried to play at the tide pools. They love donuts as much as I do, so they obliged.

We got there only to find we were too late.

All the "squishee ooeey gooeys," that I told Jocelyn we'd get to play with were already covered with the cold waves.

"What? Where is dem ooeey gooeys Momma? Day is hiding in that water? Ugh. Them is the worst."

And they could really care less about the beautiful scenery. 

Fortunately the washed up dead seal, a tiny crab, skipping rocks and the promise of donuts helped them get over the hangry feelings they had towards me. 

Brown mound in the middle is the sad dead seal. 

That's as close as I'd let them get. 

Jack was disappointed.

"I could save his life. I'm going to be a marine biologist."

The Promise of Donuts

Don't Act Like You've Never

We are a ditch school to play at the beach kind of family. (My Sugar grew up in a family that rarely saw the sun, living in Washington, so he was in a ditch church to enjoy Heavenly Father's creations kind of family.)

We are a talk your friends into partying with us kind of family. (To be fair, they started the idea of ditching, gave it up, but then were coerced into joining us - free beach vacation!)

We are a pee in the ocean kind of family. (Jocelyn could not understand why we would willingly pee in our bathing suit when we are not allowed to pee in our pants. "Reyee momma. You want me to go pee in duh ocean? That's just mean to all duh fisheeees. I not doing it." So later, she just peed right on the sand and then told me, "I just saved all duh fisheeees lifes. You's welcome fisheeeees.")

We are a gather all the seashells one can find kind of family. (I don't think we are supposed to do this, so we will put them back tomorrow.)

We are a spend an 8 hour day at the beach kind of family. (9:30 am to 5:30 pm - cartwheeling, digging, playing, running, chasing air craft carriers and each other, wave jumping, disc throwing, enjoying, and snoozing.)

We are a completely EXHAUSTED kind of family. (Currently.)