Every year my little family sneaks away to Seaside, Oregon. It started with just Isaac and myself in 2015; some years friends have joined us, some years Gramma has come, some years its 'just us'. It's a different amount of time and at various times of the year but it has quickly become my favorite getaway on the calendar. Seaside is our happy place that we are building a lot of memories in.
We explored the lighthouse center and climbed around on the driftwood while we waited for the fog to clear.
This was the picture taken immediately BEFORE Isaac and I climbed the driftwood pile below...
The picture that is not shown is my boy falling between the driftwood barely missing his eye socket on a protruding stick, flipping around sideways as I grabbed his arm and landing square on his tookus...slicing through his shorts, puncturing his underwear and stopping millimeters from a very dangerous proctological situation only prevented because of a pair of just-in-case road trip pull-ups. Apparently, we had the puncture proof version that day. (Also a very quick angel on duty). Needless to say, it scared us both and we were done climbing on big piles of anything for the rest of the trip.
There it is!
Goofballs!
For years I've been trying to wrap my brain around how to manage making s'mores on the beach with my kids. I haven't been able to figure out how to navigate building a fire, an open flame, pointy sticks, gooey food, sandy sensory overload and doing it all in the dark by myself while somehow forming a positive memory for all of us. Last year I came to the conclusion this just wasn't an experience I was going to be able to give to my kids on my own. Enter the Tiny Torch fire log. The fire would manage itself. And if I timed the s'mores in broad daylight, we might actually be able to do this...
Had some good heart to hearts with this one on this trip. She is opening up more about life before family and feeling safe to talk about how she feels. Even on the days that I've asked her to walk through dunes, sit on wet sand and eat food while dodging seagulls we are making progress.
On the way home we scooted north through Westport, Washington to see our state's tallest Lighthouse. It was tall. We decided not to walk the 135 steps to the top. Ate some lunch at a cute lighthouse bistro and drove the rest of the way home.
Somethings I don't want to forget about this trip:
- Listening to all three High School Musical soundtracks is exactly 2 hours and 6 minutes of joyful entertainment for all.
- Isaac knows his sister is scared of dogs, and he made darn sure any dog that came remotely near her was told preemptively to BACK OFF (much to the confusion of the dog owners peacefully managing their pets).
- Windows down, driving along the Columbia River introducing my kids to Mama Mia.
- Mila turning down a cheeseburger in lieu of fish tacos!
- Spending more than an hour in the pool! (They used to not be able to tolerate more than 20 min, now I can barely drag them out)
- The seagull that literally choked and spit up the carrot piece that Isaac threw in his direction. Word got out quick in the Gull Group, our food was not consumable!😜
- Mila & Isaac asking each other open ended questions as we drove home. (This is a first!). "Isaac what's your favorite movie? Ooh, that's a good one!". "Mila, you like coloring? (pointing at her coloring books) Is pretty. Good job". I can't tell you how sweet this was to eavesdrop in on that conversation. 💖
- Personally feeling refreshed. There have been a lot of battles lately and I have been particularly fatigued--physically, emotionally, spiritually. But I felt truly restored on this get away and I am thankful.
