I’m Gonna Soak Up The Sun
Date: Thursday July 2, 2009Posted in: Emily, Family, Graham, Nathan, summer
As I mentioned in my last post, I spent Tuesday afternoon at the beach with the kids. What I did not mention is that while they frolicked in the surf and sun I sat in a beach chair reading a book. Before leaving for the beach I had gone onto our library’s website and started to search for the book suggestions given by you guys. We are part of a regional library system; this means that if our local library doesn’t have it in stock, they will ship it here for you. The week before I had logged onto the library site to search for books by Jen Lancaster. “Bitter Is The New Black” was immediately available (I have the others on request), and that is what I brought t0 the beach with me.
After nearly seven years of having babies on varying stages, usually in diapers, often eating sand, and possibly thinking they could run out to sea with nary a consequence, Tuesday showed me that we truly are in a new era.
The kids played (safely) in the water and dug craters in the sand. I helped out occasionally (and took photos, occasionally) but apart from that they were on their own. I sat in my chair, within a few feet of my kids, and actually read. MORE THAN A SENTENCE. I read chapters. CHAPTERS, PEOPLE.
(Note to self: Chill out with the CAPS LOCK.)
But enough about me. Here’s what the kids were doing whilst I was being selfish reading.
Emily played with her watering can.
Nathan was, well, Nathan.
I took a shot of Okanagan Lake.
I can’t believe that we live here either.
I asked the kids for a “nice” photo.
That was the best of the bunch.
Proof that my kids are funny.
Exhibit #1:
Exhibit # 2:
Proof that Nathan + beach + B&W = awesome
Dude is going to break so many hearts. SO MANY HEARTS.
So, yeah. The kids braved the water (Mommy was a pansy).
They then participated in the requisite Snack Time.
(Mommy ate carrots. BOO.)
My Step Mom (aka HERO OF MOMMY AND DADDY (Due to her taking them back to her house this next week)) and my two youngest siblings have arrived. They will be joining us in our usual routine for the long weekend:
Breakfast, morning at the beach, home for lunch, nap for those who need it (*waves*), afternoon at the beach, dinner at home/at the beach, probably ice cream for dessert. Possibly at the beach.
(Don’t hate me because I am ten minutes from the beach. I try not to gloat, but after our horrendous winters I soak up as much beach time as I can.)
How about you? Any plans for the long weekend?
*Sheryl Crow. This is one song that seems to encapsulate summer for me.
24 Comments
I’m going to be working this weekend, and glad to have the opportunity to work.
Just exactly who do you think will need the naps, Missy?
witchypoo’s last blog post..This is the Song that Never Ends
Comment by witchypoo on July 2nd, 2009 @ 5:51 am…sat in a beach chair reading a book. sounds like heaven!
angella Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 am
It was/is! I’ve waited almost seven years to be able to do it 
I hate you for being 10 minutes away from the beach, but I’m trying really hard not to. In all seriousness, it looks great.
Crystal’s last blog post..No Diving
angella Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:01 am
It’s pretty awesome. After the LONGEST WINTER EVER it’s nice to enjoy the sun
Since we now live on Lake Erie we are trying to check out the beaches – the lake isn’t as calm as Okanagan looks so I can’t let her go into the water by herself but the sand? Oh all that glorious sand to keep her busy!!! Love it! It gets even better this fall when we head down to the South Carolina coast for a “real” beach vacation. Ironically I feel much safer with her venturing into the water there (in the OCEAN) then in the lake because where we go has a huge expanse of very shallow water while the lake is known for sudden 2-3 foot drop offs right by the shore.
angella Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 am
The beach we usually go to (the one above) is awesome in that it’s really shallow for a long time – like the Ocean where you’ll be going. Less stressful for us Mommas
If you haven’t read any of Jen Lancaster’s books….do it now! She is hilarious.
angella Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:02 am
She is! It’s my first book of hers and I am loving it. I’m looking forward to meeting her in Chicago in three weeks. Awesome.
I need to visit.
Sizzle’s last blog post..Diagnosis: Summeritis
angella Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 am
You really, truly do.
That sounds like the perfect day! I don’t have a long weekend, and don’t have any plans except for being outside as much as possible. I’ll probably go out to a lake or the beach on Saturday, and get as many rays as I can. Other than that, it will be a whole lotta relaxing!
Sharon’s last blog post..A mid-week holiday
Comment by Sharon on July 2nd, 2009 @ 8:58 amFirst of all, kudos on the scenery. Secondly, rock on with your book reading self! I am getting giddy just thinking about those days to come when I too will be released by the demands of keeping small children from drowning. Learn to swim people. Jeez.
Kami Lewis Levin’s last blog post..Et Tu, Jet Blue? Et Tu?
Comment by Kami Lewis Levin on July 2nd, 2009 @ 9:59 amin 6 weeks I will be enjoying that lake! for now I will have to look at your pictures to tide me over.
hillary’s last blog post..Just Beat It Beat It Beat It Beat It No One Wants To Be Defeated – Take 6
Comment by hillary on July 2nd, 2009 @ 10:13 amI smiled when I read that you were able to read CHAPTERS. Cuz I get it.
Send some sun to New England! We’re drowning here!
Trenches of Mommyhood’s last blog post..Weather Woes
Comment by Trenches of Mommyhood on July 2nd, 2009 @ 10:32 amI love Okanagan Lake.
Jen’s last blog post..Happy July Canada Day!
Comment by Jen on July 2nd, 2009 @ 11:14 amThis is gonna sound dumb, given where we live, but…*sigh* I wish we lived by a lake with a beach! I do like the ocean, but Annalie does not. I have the feeling she’d be much more down with swimming in a lake. Plus, I grew up swimming in lakes in Minnesota with my cousins and at the camp I went to in Nebraska, so little shot of childhood nostalgia there.
For the long weekend, my friends Erin & Rocco are coming to visit, yay! Also, Troy is off work tomorrow, yay! He has duty on the 4th, boo…but our other friends are joining the rest of us and we’re going to Troy’s ship, an aircraft carrier docked right in San Diego Bay, to watch the fireworks. Yay!
bethany actually’s last blog post..she’s so glossy
Comment by bethany actually on July 2nd, 2009 @ 11:24 amThat does it. I want a beach and I want it NOW. Excuse me while I go stamp my foot like a toddler.
…
Okay, I’m done. FOR NOW.
The sad thing is I will be in Halifax for three weeks in August but alas, the Atlantic is too cold. I may get to go to the lake near my sister though!
sherry’s last blog post..Rain ahoy
Comment by sherry on July 2nd, 2009 @ 1:04 pmOh, I don’t hate you! We’re 5 min walk from the beach, so your summer “routine” reflects ours, pretty much! Apart from the napping. No naps here (although I wish I could have one).
YAY for reading CHAPTERS of a book while your kids played! That’s summertime, alright! ENJOY … and I will enjoy living vicariously through you as we suffer through winter 
Hannah’s last blog post..Time to Fly
Comment by Hannah on July 2nd, 2009 @ 3:09 pmI was reading your blog with Bethany. After asking me 300 times if the first photo of Emily is her, and me telling her over and over again who your kids were she announced, “Mommy, no close it! Those guys is my favorite! I lovb those guys!”
So there ya go, Bethy lovbs your guys! Have a great long weekend, we’ll be in the OK soakin’ up the sunshine too!
Ashley’s last blog post..Can you believe – 200!
Comment by Ashley on July 2nd, 2009 @ 4:54 pmWhen we go to Kelowna for a week with two kids 3 and 1, I’ll be thinking of you and the years to come when I can read chapters!
Jenn
Jenn’s last blog post..Summertime
Comment by Jenn on July 3rd, 2009 @ 8:22 amWe have taken living here for granted. It is such a beautiful place. Cant wait to move back to town now and be at the beach again.
Comment by kelly on July 3rd, 2009 @ 10:44 amMay I add to your book list? Anything by Bodie Thoene is amazing. She is a Messianic Jewish author who has written books that became required reading in Universities in the US. My two favorite series of hers are: Zion Covenant and Zion Chronicles. The Pre WW2 series is my all-time fave!
angella Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:56 am
Miss Emily, of course. *wink*