IOP Weekend

 We had a nice weekend visit over on IOP with my aunt and uncle!

They rented the most awesome beach house with a pool, and within walking distance to everything (link here)

We spent both Saturday and Sunday on the beach.  We packed lunches and did all the fun beach things: drip castles, mermaid tails, shell collecting.

It was SO nice to walk back, rinse off in the outdoor shower, and then jump in the pool.

Saturday afternoon we walked to Ben and Jerry's and the kids were in heaven.  

Later on K and I got the kids settled and walked down to the Windjammer for a couple beers.

It was SO NICE: the weather, being out without the kids.  I felt more care free than I have in a while.  We MUST do this more often.

Thanks to my Aunt Kelly and Uncle Ralph for inviting us on this nice little "getaway"!

xLaura

So Long, Summer.

 The last few weeks of Summer Break as a stay at home mom are...brutal.  The days are long and hot and HARD.  Trying to keep us all positive and find moments of fun, but really we are just hanging in there.  Add in so much news of COVID school shut downs, and woof!  It's been rough.

A couple of weeks ago I took the girls down the street to a little "Back to School Bash" at their preschool.  It was hot as the blazing gates of hell in that parking lot. 

And then EB came up, grabbed my hand and whispered that she wanted to have her face painted.  I asked a friend to watch little sis and we walked over and picked out her design.  It was a quiet moment in the shade, away from the chaos, and this little girl was so happy.  It was one of my most heart warming experiences, watching my SWEET girl feel so special.  The look on her face the entire time was just...precious.  

I share this to say that, just when I found myself at wit's end, losing patience and letting the monotony of the endless days get me down, I was given the gift of watching my daughter experience a simple joy.  And it kept me going just a little longer...

And now I can officially yell SO LONG, SUMMER! Because the girls are both off to school as of yesterday.  4k and 2k, Let's do this!

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A few other happenings:

Matching sisters at church <3

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Our First Annual Nielson Family Fish Fry!  This was the perfect way to celebrate Labor Day Weekend.

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Ballet is going so great!  This girly girl is in heaven and was thrilled to wear her new accessories to class.

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We got to meet Rapunzel at our bff's Bday!  I think it's safe to say my kids have not inherited my independent spirit.  At least for now.  I try to think of how fleeting these moments are when the clinging becomes frustrating.

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 Now off to enjoy my last hour to myself, an uninterrupted lunch.

 Byeeee!

xLaura

Anna Maria Island, Part 3

The next day we decided to explore the other "downtown" of the island, Bridge Street.  

We had heard good things about The Fish Hole putt putt course so that was our first stop.  The course itself was fine, but the kids loved getting to feed the huge koi and the turtles.  Definitely would recommend this as a break from the beach.

Afterwards I dropped off K and MB, so big sister and I could go and spend her "souvenir money".  My mom had given her $5 and she was very excited to find the perfect thing.  So sweet!

We decided to go out for "Happy Hour" and get take out on our last night.  Our "Happy Hour" lasted one beer and I don't think either of us sat the entire time.  Such is life with the chillun.

But atleast we managed to get our one family photo out of it!

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The next morning I was up early and took my coffee down to the beach for some shell hunting.  It had rained overnight so I felt like there may be a good chance of finding some treasures.  And I did!

I could have looked for hours and hours, but a las it was time to pack up and go.

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We loved Anna Maria Island and can't wait to go back...Such a gem on the Gulf Coast!

xLaura