It's A Beach Day

We interrupt our regularly scheduled decades week, to bring you a beach day! 

I know when I plan my weeks (and subsequently days), that sometimes there has to be some shuffling. I've gotten better at working things in over the years, but I still plan out every day knowing we won't exactly stick to it. And that's ok. It really is just a rough plan for the month. 

Cort and Holly were in Florida this week, and we didn't make it over to Disney to see them like we usually do. They were spending their last two days in Florida down in Venice. My grandparents used to live down there, and we always came down to visit as kids. Originally, the plan was for Cort and Holly to stop by for an hour or two on their way home, but Asa ended up picking up an overtime shift today. Since Asa doesn't really have an 'office', it's nearly impossible for him to take calls with visitors over, I mean it's hard enough with the four of us running around the house. (My husband doesn't complain too much about it though, he's a trooper that way. And a better multi-tasker than I've ever seen) When we knew that wouldn't work, so we sent them a text and offered to go meet up with them at Sharky's Beach in Venice, even though that was added driving we hadn't figured on doing. While we waited to hear back, we went along with our morning. 

First on the agenda was a Build n Grow Class at Lowes for Hayden. Today we made Toothless from How to Train A Dragon.

It's pretty cool, it's wings flap and everything. Hayden earned another badge, and now I'm a couple behind on getting them on his apron. That needs to be added to my tomorrow 'to do' list. 

He helped me pick up some things for some projects next week, and then we got home and Asa has made us all Nacho Dogs for lunch, still not hearing back from Cort and Holly, I moved to 1980's day- with a dessert nod to Pac Man. 

Also, hidden around the house: Waldo's! One in each room, with a point value written on the back. It was quite the competition this morning to find them. 

Shortly after lunch, we heard back from Cort and Holly and decided that we should just meet them at Sharky's. Besides us having to drive an hour and a half, it seemed easier for everyone. So we paused 1980's day and headed out. 

We had to make one quick stop on our way out of town, though. Publix was having a 'design a cookie for dad' at their stores today for Father's Day. While we don't usually celebrate 'Father's Day' (It's hard on me since my dad isn't here anymore, and Asa prefers we turn it into Hobbit Day anyway), we thought this was something we could get behind. 

The boys all took turns decorating the cookie for Asa. 

It came out very cute, I'll show the after picture tomorrow. (If I remember to take a picture before Asa eats it!) 

We got to Venice a little after two, and enjoyed a day at the beach. It was a little hot for our liking (I prefer our nice air conditioned house during summer-er, although not as much as I enjoy it during summer-est) 

But the kids had a good time playing with their cousins. 

We caught up with the Sattlers, heard about their trip, and talked about the next time we're visiting. 

Gwen, Calib, Asa, and Cort all threw the football around. 

While Hayden managed to cover himself head to toe in sand. 

I just realized I didn't take a picture, but we did end up with a sharks tooth. Some nice guy out in the water found some and offered them to the kids. 

Before we left, we tried to get the usual cousin picture. Which turned into the usual funny sequence of trying to get them all to sit, look, and smile for the camera. 

At some point you just have to cut your losses, and say "good enough" 

It's much easier to get a picture with Cort and Holly! 

We said our goodbyes, and headed up to wash the sand off and change. 

And no trip to Venice is complete without a trip to the Ice Cream Parlor. 

We'll see Venice again on New Years Eve, if tradition holds. 

On the way home it started POURING, and I hate driving in that. It was getting late, and we stopped in Brandon for Asa to drive the rest of the way home. While we were there we decided just to get some Little Ceasars for dinner. We usually eat before 5, and it was about 6:30, so everyone was starving. The pouring rain, and the lack of an indoor spot to eat left us having a pizza party in the car. 

The boys didn't seem to mind. 

When we got home, we pulled the boys shirts out of the dryer. 

I thought they all turned out pretty well. 

Our 1980's board is a little lacking today, but we'll finish it off tomorrow. Asa actually volunteered to work on Sunday so he could save a vacation day he had planned on using later this week, freeing up one for another trip up north later this year. Since he's working, we've pushed Hobbit Day to Thursday (the only day it would work next week), and we can finish up Decades week Tomorrow, before starting in on Sports week Monday! 

Also, celebration time: Hayden's done with his eardrops.. Yay! 

So, it's an evening of studying and working for Asa. He is just about as thrilled about this at it looks. But, he wants the overtime (because who can pass up a big paycheck), and needs to finish up his Java project for school, so it all works out. 

Next Up: A mini-celebration for Asa, and finishing up decades week!