Are There Mountains in Florida?

Nope, but there are mt. biking trails!  Sadly our highest points are the bridges across the St. John's River!

Now that Ra and I have some extra time on Tues/Thurs mornings when Sis is at gymnastics practice, we are trying to spend some QT together.  On Tuesday we went to Barnes & Noble for him to spend a birthday gift card.  He was so excited to get new books - how can you deny a kid a chance for new books?  He's such a great reader.

Today we decided to go mt. biking at Hanna Park.  Hanna Park is where Ra got baptized at the beach last June - it's here in Atlantic Beach, but next to Mayport Naval Station.  They have the beach, mt. biking and hiking trails, a lake to fish/canoe, a splash pad and a campground.  It's a treasure that I'm glad we live close enough to use frequently.  Ra and Andy have ridden the trails with Ra's friend "Cra Cra" and his dad.  This was my first time riding the trails.  

I let Ra lead the entire time and he loved it.  You can tell he has dirt bike experience by watching him pick his line over tree roots, etc.  He did really well on the "More Difficult" trails.  We rode the South Loop (marked in red on the map) which was 4.5 miles roundtrip.  There aren't hills like when we rode in Corner Canyon in Utah, but there were some up and down sections where you could pick up a little speed.  

We were both tired afterwards.  It was a great work out and a wonderful way for us to spend some time with just Ra.  We have to check the tides, but we might break out our kayaks and go out on the intercoastal (aka the Ditch) to paddle around.  I'm excited to see what else we plan to do during our special time together each week.

Congrats to Sissy

I received a letter from Sissy's gymnastics coach last week.  Andy picked her up from practice so I didn't get to talk to her coach, but after a phone call to the gym, I found out that Sissy has been asked to move up from "Pre Team" to "Level 1 Competitive Team."  She wasn't even on pre team for more than a few weeks before she was asked to move up.  She and her friend Carla from pre team are both going into first grade (and Carla lives nearby in Mayport - her dad is in the Navy) were the only ones asked to move up from pre team.  Sis is still the youngest and I still worry that she won't be able to handle the focus and demands, but her coach sees something in her so we're going to give it a try.

Thankfully she will stay with the same coach, but her practices have gone from 2 hrs. a week to 5 hrs a week.  She goes to the gym Tues/Thurs mornings for the summer and then will continue 2x/week after school once they switch from their summer schedule.  She comes home from her 2 1/2 hour practice completely exhausted but somehow finds energy to swim.  I make her nap after all that exercise and she doesn't complain.  She's pooped!

Her coach told me on Tuesday, after her first practice that it might not be until winter/spring till she competes.  She'd need to compete as a level 2 for meets.  Meets are typically in Florida, but can be as far as south Florida.  They only have about 5 meets/year (only during school year).  This is going to be a huge time as well as financial commitment but if she likes it and she's good enough, I guess this is what our life is going to be like.  They also travel as a team to camps over the summer.

Who would have thought when we signed up for recreational classes last fall that she'd be on the competitive team in less than a year.  I just want to make sure that Sissy does this because she really wants to, not to try to please mom or dad.  I have tried to explain that by making this commitment that there are going to be days when she doesn't want to go to practice, but that's not a choice.  Her response was, "Will being on team help me get better at gymnastics?"  She's already been able to do a few skills better just with the extra time in the gym this week.  Hoping her enthusiasm doesn't fade as the summer continues.

Summertime Fun

We have a sweet neighbor who has a swing from the big oak tree in her front yard.  Miss Toni has given my kids permission to come swing on it anytime and they take her up on that offer a lot.  I love watching the two of them on it together.  It is a good reminder that no matter how much they fuss, scream, fight, etc with each other, they really are the best of friends.  I'm so thankful that they have each other.  

Weekend Country Fun

Last weekend was the very first Florida Country Superfest.  It took place at Everbank Field which is where the Jags play.  They had fantastic line ups for both Saturday and Sunday.  I dragged Andy with me and we had a great time - despite the weather!  It rained, actually stormed with lightning and thunder and delayed the show and Sunday was brutally hot and humid.  Thankfully for the last 3 acts of each day, the weather was perfect!

We enjoyed two days of kid free time together!

I had to pick up a souvenir from the weekend:

On Saturday we got to see:

Colt Ford - we watched him sing in the rain from the comfort of the Touchdown Club big screen tvs.  Big & Rich got cancelled because of the long rain delay.

Little Big Town - I've wanted to see them for a few years now and was so excited.  They sounded fantastic live!

My favorite - see the shirt picture above.

I've seen Eric Church in SLC and he was great then, but he was just as good in Jax!

And the headliner for Saturday night....Mr. Jason Adean!!!

I saw him in SLC too but this show was even better!

The stadium was packed both nights!  What a fabulous time!  I'm convinced that Jason Aldean sounds better live than recorded.

Sunday's line up included:

Joe Nicoles and Easton Corbin - we watched both of them from the club too because it was so flippin' hot!

Florida Georgia Line came out as the 3rd act.  They were awesome and totally appropriate for a Jax concert since they both grew up nearby.

Guess who joined them on stage for "This Is How We Roll?"  That's right...LUKE BRYAN!!!

Click HERE to see them together from the concert.

Next was Miranda Lambert:

And the headliner for Sunday night was....Luke Bryan!!!

During his show, Jason Aldean came out to sing with Luke.

For my hardcore country friends, here's a LINK to see them together in Jax.

Miranda joined them too - I was selfishly hoping it was Eric Church so the three could sing "The Only Way I Know" together since that's how they recorded it...I was bummed, but the two day concert was incredible.  I love live country and Christian music.  I'm so glad we can afford to see this type of entertainment.  Music is such a part of my life and concerts are the icing on the cake!

Can't wait to see if they do this again, and if so, who they bring in...All they were missing was Zac Brown Band and it would have been the ultimate concert weekend!

Our First Overnight Guests

Nanny and Pappy came to visit for a few days last week.  Our kids couldn't have been happier!  They played lots of games, swam in the pool, rode bike and ate ice cream.  What's not to love if you're 10 and under?  Both kids shed a few tears when they left but thankfully they are going to see my parents in NC before summer's over. 

Another Shabby Chic Project

A lot of our furniture doesn't go well with our dark wood floors because they have a lot of red tones like the piece you see below.  Instead of selling it and buying something new, I decided to paint it and reuse it!  I used Echo's Jax Beach color chalk paint and Dirty Wax in Mud Pie to finish it after a little distressing.  I also changed out the knobs to glass ones.  I love the way it turned out.  I'm considering painting our black corner cupboard upstairs in our hallway.  I'm leaning towards a blue color...I think I'm hooked!  It's so easy and fun.  I love that I can do a piece like this in ONE day!  I also plan to get some baskets to put under the table - there are some cross pieces that you can see on the top picture.  I think that will complete the look I'm after!  What a difference it makes and compliments our coastal decor!  

Harvest Time

Our blueberries are plentiful and the kids are enjoying having a snack right next to the pool.  They literally hop out, grab a few off the bushes and then hop right back in!  Perfection!

Super Grom Fest 2014

Last year our kids had so much fun at the Super Grom Festival in Jax Beach so I made sure to sign them up again this year.  A few friends signed their kids up too.  Sadly, this year, I was under the weather to say the least.  I had completely lost my voice on the morning of Grom Fest so I stayed home in bed while Andy took the kids.

Here are the pics from their morning surfing with the Florida Surfing Association:

Ra and his buddy "Cra Cra" walking down to the water for their lesson

Sissy getting use to her board

Wipe Out!

Look at Ra go!

Check out his tongue!

Here are some that Andy took from his iPhone:

They came home so excited to go surfing again!  I bought the kids an 8 foot board from Costco this year and Cra Cra's mom went out and got him a bigger board so she's handing down his smaller board to Sissy.  Hoping to get them out in the surf again soon - as soon as I'm better.  Wouldn't you know that I ended up with an ear infection just 2 days later!  Ugh.

A Shabby Chic Update

My great grandfather built these pieces for my mom when she was little.  My mom played with them, I played with them and now Sissy plays with them.  All 3 pieces were dark in color and didn't match Sissy's room.  I decided to shabby chic them to keep the old look while updating them to match her surfer themed room. 

I forgot to take "before" pics because I was so excited to get started!  Here's one I took before I got too far along!

This was my first time using chalk paint.  I decided to try Echo's brand.  There are at least 3-4 local chalk paint brands being sold here at the beach.  I used Dirty Wax on the pieces after I painted & distressed them.  

Sissy wanted to help paint.  I hated to say no (because the paint is SUPER expensive) so I let her help paint the bed interior. 

Once I get then back in her room, I'll take a good "after" picture.  

Wild Life at the Beach

This guy likes to sit in the oak tree behind our house in the evenings.  He showed up two days in a row.  He's amazing to watch, especially when he turns his head around to look behind him. 

On the same day this guy returned, I had seen a snake slither along our fence and a raccoon ran across the top of the fence!  It's amazing how much wild life you find here at the beach!

Loose Teeth?

About a month ago Sissy told me that she had a loose tooth.  A few weeks ago she told me she had another tooth loose.  Well, neither tooth has fallen out so I took her to the dentist today.  The news wasn't good - they had to pull all FOUR bottom teeth to make room for the permanent teeth to move forward.  She had 2 "shark" teeth that were coming in behind her baby teeth.  The baby teeth weren't falling out because the front roots weren't dissolving like they are supposed to when they come in under the baby teeth.

Thankfully our dentist is great.  She was patient, kind, and loving with Sis.  She had to do the exact same thing with her own daughter.  From her predictions, we'll most likely be seeing the ortho in about a year depending on when future teeth make an appearance.  

Before:

After:

The Teeth:

She's in a lot of pain at home but Tylenol and some Barbie, Life in the Dream House, is helping.  Her gums are really sore because her laterals weren't loose at all.  She had to work hard to get those teeth out. 

Sis did really well considering how difficult it was.  She cried a bit during the procedure but handled herself like a champ.  I am so proud of her.  Our dentist gave her Novocain without Sis ever really knowing what was going on - she did a great job on Sissy.  

Lots of cold food for today - smoothies, yogurt, and ice cream are on the menu!

She's looking forward to going shopping tomorrow after the tooth fairy visits.  The TF gives the kids $5/tooth because they don't get an allowance for doing chores (the price of being in our family) and they need a way to learn to tithe, save, & spend.  

Tea For Two

Since it's was "girls week" at our house, I decided to use my groupon for Ashes Boutique and Tea Garden and take my little girl for some Mommy & Me time.  

We dressed up fancy and practiced manners & etiquette while enjoying some tea, crackers, sandwiches with fruit and a dessert plate.  

A bonus was seeing Sissy's teacher's assistant while we were there.  She loves Ms Eppler and looks for her every Sunday at church too!

What a great way to end our "girls week!"

Homemade Organic Sunscreen

My son has a difficult time with sunscreen being applied to his face.  It bothers him and has since he was little.  I do not use traditional sunscreens because of all the toxic chemicals that get absorbed into your skin - if you think about it, all the healthy, organic, non gmo eating we do makes no difference if we rub chemicals on our skin and it gets absorbed into our bloodstream.  I also read that traditional sunscreens can do more damage to our bodies (cancer, hormone disruption, etc.) than the sun exposure!  My son responds worst when I rub sunscreen on his face with my hands.  The stick type is the best way for me to apply it on him.  Living here in the "Sunshine" state means we are exposed to the sun a lot and need to find a good way to keep him safe from too much exposure.

I've been wanting to make my own sunscreen for the past year but our apt wasn't the best place to do a lot of those crafty type of things.  I finally ordered all my ingredients and tried it out last night.  Sorry for the terrible lighting, it was after dark and I was stuck with artificial light.  The tubes aren't red - just a reflection of color off the mold.

I am so pleased with the way these turned out!  The sticks are for my kids' faces and instead of going on with difficulty as do many mineral based sunscreen sticks, these glide right on.  They also do not make my kids faces turn ghostly white.  It will make putting sunscreen on Little Man's face so much easier.  I had been splurging for Aubry, California Baby and Kiss My Face which have been approved by the EWG's Guide to Sunscreens as safe to use, but this recipe is just as safe and a whole lot cheaper!  

I purchased the empty deodorant tubes to use as sticks from Amazon.  They weren't cheap, but I think they will be worthwhile for my kids.  I plan to reuse them as we run out.  If you want to make a lotion bar like the heart shaped one above, you will need a silicone mold.  

After much research, these are the ingredients I used and why:

1/3 c. melted organic virgin Coconut Oil – has an SPF of around 8. 

1/3 c. organic Shea Butter – contains cinnamic acid, which absorbs UVB rays. It is generally thought to have an SPF of around 6.

1/2 c. tightly packed organic Beeswax – main purpose in this bar is to hold everything together, it is considered by some skin care companies to have antioxidant and moisturizing properties

2 T plus 1 1/2 tsp. Zinc Oxide – non nano & uncoated zinc oxide so that it isn’t absorbed into the skin

SPF FYI:
SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%.  SPF 30 blocks 96.7%, SPF 15 blocks 93%.  When deciding how much zinc oxide to add, anywhere from 5-20% of the total solution is often used.  A higher number does not mean it's better!  More info on SPF HERE

Directions:
Melt the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler.  Once melted, remove from heat and add zinc.  You may also add essential oils and/or vitamin E at this time.  I added lavender because it was the only non-citrus oil I had on hand.  Do NOT use citrus oils because it is believed to be phototoxic or make the skin more sensitive to the sun.  Carrot seed oil is a great oil to add to sunscreen because it is believed to have a natural spf of 38-40.  I plan to get some to add to my next batch.  FYI - these sunscreens will melt on a hot sunny day in your bag so you will want to keep them in a cool place and apply before they go out and reapply as desired.  For our days at the beach, I plan to take an ice pack along for the sunscreen so we can use it as needed.

We've also made our own organic lip balm.  If your little girl is anything like mine, she thinks lip gloss/lip stick is the next best thing to sliced bread.  We all know that much of that ends up in their mouth so I decided that if she had a hand in making, it as well as a say in the "flavor" (aka essential oil), she'd prefer the natural kind over the store bought toxic junk.  Thankfully I was right about that and she LOVES our homemade, organic lip balm and I don't have to worry about it absorbing toxins in her body.

Girls Week!

Ra and Andy are both away this week so it's a "girls only" week for me and Sis.  We have a long list of things we want to do this week.  Sis thinks that every moment of every day should be girl time, but I've convinced her that's not reasonable.  We have a long laundry list of things to do while our boys are gone.

Painting nails - possible pedis
Shell collecting
Lip balm making
Cookie baking
Swimming
Jewelry making
Tea for Two at Ashes' - reservations for Tuesday
Gelato from Joseph's
Custard from Whit's
Zoo trip
Rainbow loom
Shopping
Movie watching

We've made 3 batches of organic lip balm already - lavender, grapefruit and lemon.  We've watched 4 episodes of The Bible on Netflix and McKenna at least 3 times since Ra left.  We swam yesterday and tried to swim today but a storm rolled through.  The plan tonight is to have dinner on the beach and look for shells.  Maybe we'll swing by for dessert at the corner afterwards.

This girl is wearing me out already!  I splurged and got her this today:

$10 to entertain her = Money well spent!