Mini Vacay.

"Let's go to the beach," he said.

You don't have to beg these girls.

We played on the beach.

I read my book.

Ryan napped.

The girls enjoyed swinging in the hammock.

We dared each other to stick our feet in the water.  Ryan would not do it.  I could barely get my big toe in.  Big squealed as she tried to put her whole foot in the water.   Bug did it like a champ.  She said, "It's not even that bad."  For the record, it was that bad.  It was like Titanic cold.

We had Ruddy Duck for dinner (best jambalaya you've ever tasted and their Caribbean slaw is to die for).  First beach dinner of the season.  The fish tacos were just as I remembered.  Fabulous.  I didn't expect any less.

My morning coffee was amazing.  Coffee at the beach is always so good.

Lunch was big.  Lunch was greasy.  Lunch was super yum.

Loading the truck up to come home was no fun.  We all wanted to stay.  We realized we could stay at the beach forever and we would be fine.  Because the beach... it makes everything better.

We are already planning what we want to do on our next trip down.

Jeans that are too small.

Bug is still our little fashionista.

She definitely knows what she wants to wear.

Since I can remember, she has picked out her own clothes to wear everyday.

For a LONG time she would NOT wear jeans.  Only leggings, dresses, foot holes (tights) and skirts.

I finally got her into a pair of jeans.  They were super skinny jeans that I told her were just jean leggings.

She will NOT wear flare or bootcut jeans.

She demands super skinnies or no jeans at all.

She has anxiety attacks if I pull something out for her to wear that she is not into.

It is so bad that I am putting my size 6/7 child, in size 5 skinny jeans because that is all she will wear.

The girl knows what she wants.

Who can fight with that?

Just wait until she starts reading Vogue.

Dear Lord, help us.

When they get older, they can spell.

Second grade.

Big is in second grade!

When did that happen?  Where did that precious 2 year old that started this blog go?

Big is a character.  She still marches to the beat of her own drum.

Everyday I find myself fighting with her like she is my sister or friend.  I have to constantly remind myself that I am the parent.

She is a child that says what is on her mind which makes for interesting conversations.

And look out!  7 & 8 year olds have drama.  Like drama with a capital D.

"She said this, she said that".  "She said she wasn't going to be my friend anymore if I didn't play with her on the playground".  "She finished her test before me so that is why I didn't answer the last question.  I just HAD to turn my paper in because she did."  Oh, the second grade drama.

They push your buttons like never before.  They are testing their boundaries.  They say things like "shit" just to see your reaction.  When you explain  (or scream and yell and lose your cool completely) that it is not an appropriate word to say, you hear them a few days later spelling it.  Spelling it.

Yes, my dear friends, they can spell at this age.  I mean, they can spell like us.  Not just basic sight words.   Girlfriend can pretty much spell whatever she wants.  Your days of spelling out a conversation to your spouse or friend are O-V-E-R.

When this all happens, you learn to communicate in other ways.  You start a conversation, add a few code head nods to cover up words.  Add a few eye blinks to cover up words.  Add a few hand movements to help the other person understand what you are saying.

You pretty much turn into a talking mime.

Head nod. Two winks. Head nob. Clap hands.  Did you get all of that?

New Voice

As I typed in my login information (thank goodness Blogger and Google are linked together), I realized a lot of things have changed since I last blogged.

I am still a mom.  I am still a wife.  I am still a writer despite my blogging hiatus.

I guess it has been difficult for me to write posts because I feel like I have a new voice.  Ugh!  That sounds so cliche.

But, it is true. My girls are growing (at a rapid pace) and I am not the mom of toddlers anymore.My girls are still learning and doing crazy things.  It just feels different.

Part of me is nervous to begin writing again, only because I don't want to be a disappointment.  I feel like my readers expect one thing and I don't feel like I can meet those expectations.

I am not a mom that is struggling with toddlers.  Now, I am a mom struggling with a 5 & 8 year old.

So, set your expectations aside, here we go.  You are in for the crazy, wild adventures of Big & Bug as they grow and challenge me everyday.

As a mom (no matter what age your children are), it is a minute by minute battle to keep your sanity.  I write this blog only to remind myself in 15 years, that it was a battle at ages 5 & 7 too.

Cheers!