St Matt's farm day

The kids seem to be getting a lot of inspiration from St. Matt's school. Here Will shares his favorite beverage with a calf.

Family

Happy 4th Birthday Trio (and Holden)

The scene is set for a birthday party at the beach.  Robot and Princess theme, as requested.  Will has been asking for a 'Candy Robot' aka Robot pinata for his birthday party for months.

Four years today we met our three babies, each with a loud kitten cry as they were born.  The most beautiful sound.  The first year was a blur...soon they were mobile and crawling and climbing everywhere...we survived the terrible twos or threes with all their mischeif and mess. 

So far four years old is looking pretty good. The triplets have been great on this trip.  They play together well, are getting much better at communicating, less whining, more conversation and imagination.  They are quite adorable. Meanwhile we haven't completely escaped toddler terror as Holden cruises around looking for trouble.  Holden the destroyer knocks sandcastles and building blocks down as swiftly as we can build them yet he will be the first to erupt in giggles or get cozy in our embrace for a nap given the chance.  It is hard to believe we had three of those sweet but terrorizing tots just a year ago.

Cupcakes are ready. Robot and princess cake toppers  from Etsy say 'Happy Birthday Lily...Evan...Will' and so we don't leave out Holden there are some that say 'We Love you Holden!' 

The kids find their cupcakes.

Lily is pleased that GG brought a Princess pinta too. 

The guests of honor preparing to open their gifts.  Holden gets gifts too.  He is too young to understand that it is not his birthday too. Besides, it is a bit of make up for getting left out and picked on the rest of the year.  Now he thinks he is three.

Candy robot. Delivered.

And another lovely sunset to end the day.

Admit One

We finally ventured 11 houses down to visit the Pier park.  It was the kid's first amusement park rides and everyone had a great time.  Although the carousel was very exciting, the planes were the crowd favorite.

More McBeach

Hello from Florida.  We are having a wonderful time. It is heavenly here. Our lazy days have been full of precious moments to savor. Here are just a few of my favorite things.

Morning beach walks.  Above, Will admires his shell collection and carefully displays his treasures. 

Plenty of popsicles on the porch with stunning sea views.

Evan shows us how he will surf when he is bigger.

Boogie boarding, the kid's favorite activity. They will keep going until we tell them it's time to stop.  The water is beautiful aqua green-blue and nice and warm so we love it too, but it takes a lot of work to keep up with the kids.  The current keeps taking them up the coast, so we have either walk through waist high water or swim to keep them close by.   Periodically we have to get out and walk back down the beach to the house. The kids think they are surfing.  The first day, Will kept repeating with amazement. 'I've never been surfing before!' Lily is a bit too brave and will head out without making sure we are near by.  Evan started out a bit timid but is now having a blast jumping in the waves.  Holden will only go in with an adult in hand.

Sunsets on the porch. Evenings are my favorite time of day. There is a wonderful breeze to match the gorgeous sunsets.  We eat seafood, drink wine, play music and dance.

Lily and Will dancing like Mom and Dad

Even nap time is better at the beach.  My favorite spot is the daybed in the shade on the second level porch.

Evan and Will

Hanging with family.

First Sunset



Sunset at McBeach

We've arrived at McBeach and enjoyed a lovely afternoon at the beach. The kids (and adults) were so enamoured with the house we had to wrangle everyone to get out.  We were rewarded for our travels with beautiful white sand and a gorgeous sunset.

Kid's first Sunset



Lily Clare gets a better view

Evan Relaxing in the Baby Pool

Steamed shrimp and key lime pie for dinner from Buddy's Seafood

Lily's Portfolio

Lily Clare with braids.  Even though I thought she looked darling, she was not impressed and quickly ran off to pull them out.



'Super Hero' and 'Pineapple' by Lily Clare

Top: 'Cat Sun & Beach with Sun & Rain', Bottom: 'Mermaid & Snake, Lily Clare

I love children's art and it is one of the things I daydreamed about having in our home once we had kids.  We display a lot of their art but haven't been very good about keeping their art.  Recently I found this portoflio at a local frame shop to save a few of their creations.  I also picked up the inexpensive acrylic frames above for Lily to display her art in her room.

On the Road