Loves to Write

Sissy is happiest when she has a pen and paper in hand.  

I found this page in her homework binder - my little beach explorer

This was left on the counter one night when I was cleaning up.  I had to save them and hang them up inside one of my cabinets as a reminder of her precious heart - especially on those days when she's giving me sass!

Hoop There It Is!

If it's not throwing football, Little Man is begging to go to the park to shoot hoops!  

Like Father Like Son

The other day I came downstairs to find this:

I've Been Cooking Up A Storm

Apple Dumplings

Apple Butter

 Flax Granola Bars

Apple Crisp and fresh Pesto with basil from the garden.  I froze the pesto in ice cube trays and stored it in a ziplock bag in the freezer for future use.  

Roasted Pumpkin seeds

 Freshly squeezed lemonade

One Pot Taco Casserole

We like fall foods here - and yes, lemonade is for the fall because it's from the lemons harvested from our tree in the backyard!

Date Night

The other week we had the opportunity to go to dinner at One Ocean for free.  Sis had gymnastics and Ra went over to his best buddy's house so we didn't need a babysitter.  The meal was courtesy of One Ocean because Andy is going to host his Customer Service Christmas Party there this year.  What a fun night with delicious food!

One Ocean is also the address of this place.  It's the old Sea Turtle and located at Atlantic and Ocean. The oceanfront views during dinner were wonderful!

Dessert was incredible!

Hidden Gems

Atlantic Beach has a number of cute little parks.  This one is a block from the beach and the kids LOVE it there.  There are a few climbing trees and a tire swing.  Whenever we bike ride, they beg to go!

We've also been shell collecting lately.  We ride our bikes to 19th Street and then walk the beach north towards Hanna Park.  There is less foot traffic up that way and lots of shells.  We've found so many different things on the beach from starfish to sea glass.  

We even find kite surfers and hang gliders!

Sissy has improved her ability to ride bike on the beach.  She still prefers not to ride there, but we're working on it with her!  We have to be aware of the tides so there is a lot of hard pack sand for her.

Sunrise from Atlantic Beach

Moonrise from Atlantic Beach

Someone was hoping to surprise his sweetheart on the beach...Andy tried to convince me it was his doing!  

Fall on the beach is awesome.  Not too hot and no crowds!

Sunrise over the intercoastal

Sunset

Another morning on the beach

Still warm enough for these two to jump waves!

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE living here?

First Field Trip of the Year!

The first graders at Sissy's school went on a field trip to the University of North Florida to learn more about insects.  They've been studying about them in science class and this was an opportunity to learn about them, their environment, etc.

Some days I'd swear these two are connected at the hip!

At this station they were identifying different insects in the container of water

Getting a closer look

Recording their findings

Measuring insects and comparing sizes

Taking a hike with the UNF guide - learning about the eco system

Answering the riddles on the hike

She had a fantastic time on the field trip.  They learned a lot and had a good time being outside and having Momma along.  Afterwards, she and her BFF had a playdate until the big brothers got out of school.  I love that after a field trip I can take her home with me instead of sending her back to school!  I'm thankful I am able to attend these trips with her and be a part of her learning experiences.

It's Fall Y'all

If you live anywhere near Jax, Cinotti's pumpkin donuts are THE fall item to enjoy.  The bakery is located here at the beach and they are known for their delicious donuts, but especially their pumpkin! Andy volunteered to stop by last Friday for the first day of pumpkin donuts.  They actually opened up at midnight for a preview and I think he was worried I was going to get up and go - and I was - until he offered to get some for me Friday morning!  

Yesterday at a 1st grade field trip, my friend Allison stopped at Cinotti's before meeting me at the field trip.  She walked up carrying a pumpkin donut for me!  How sweet is that?  I enjoyed every bite!  I guess it's obvious I'm a little obsessed.  Lol!

Fall Cooking

Every fall, there are certain foods that bring back memories.  One of those is applesauce.  I made some organic applesauce from my favorite Jonagold apples.  Finding good, organic apples in Florida isn't an easy task because they don't grow anywhere locally.  Everyone in the family is enjoying the freshly made sauce!  I also made some yummy GF apple pies - one for each boy.  That's the way to both of their hearts!  ;)

All that homemade beef vegetable soup I made over the summer is great to thaw out on a cool fall evening.  We don't get many of them so I took advantage of the one less muggy evening we had last week!

Andy requested some good old fashioned Pa Dutch beef bbq the other night.  We grew up eating beef bbq, not pork like our kids.  Some people call these sloppy joes.  This was a favorite of our family's for camping because mom would pull it out of the freezer and take along.

Kendallism

Posted on Facebook on 9/26:

Tonight's Kendallism:
K: Dad, I know how to spell beer!
Andy: So do I. S-A-R-A-N-A-C.
K: Hee hee! No Dad, that's how you spell Saranac!

She takes after her Daddy! Ugh.

Seriously, Best Kids EVER!

Last night I felt awful - exhausted, sinus issues, allergies, etc.  Just completely worn out.  I haven't gotten a full night's sleep in over a week because someone or something keeps waking me up at night.  Last night I decided to go to bed early.  I crashed before the kids did!  Thankfully Andy was home to put them to bed for me.

Sis was wondering what she could do to help me feel better - she suggested she was going to make me a surprise for when I woke up.  I told her that the best thing she could do for me would be to get ready for school without me having to hound her to get moving.  She's notorious for wasting time in the morning.  How we get out the door on time every morning is beyond me!

This morning as I was leaving the bedroom, I opened the door to my two babies carrying a tray of food and a cup of water.  Sis decided to wake up early, before her alarm, and make me breakfast in bed.  She made me her favorite - cinnamon and sugar toast and brought water because she doesn't know how to make me tea.

She has such a sweet, tender heart.  She loves to show her feelings towards others through her actions.  Breakfast was her plan to help me to feel better today.  What a blessed mom I am to have children who think about others instead of themselves.  Ra was more than happy to help, but quick to make sure Sis got the credit for the idea.

Nothing makes you feel better than your children showing you their love and compassion...

Ace Venture was Here!

This was the condition of a package that was delivered by UPS the other day.  It reminded me of that scene in Ace Ventura, Pet Detective.  If you don't know what I'm referring to, you can see the clip here: Click for Delivery Man scene.  

Thank goodness this was only coffee and not something fragile!