july 26

It's tough to turn over a new leaf, so I haven't.  I am, as usual, behind on uploading photos.  But here are a few from today's play date at the splash pad with Zanna and her little brother Wyatt.

And lastly, a little video from this afternoon.  Clement has taken to pushing our ottoman around the living room; if he keeps this up, he just might go straight to walking and skip the crawling thing altogether...

Wilbur says Hello.

It's been way too long.  My apologies.  Here are seven glimpses of his adorableness, and you are more than welcome to come kiss him any time you want to see the cuteness in person.

vacation

Sean had a business meeting in Miami Beach in July, which I was on the fence about going to until his mother mentioned that the Keys weren't a far drive south from there.  

I'm smart enough to know a good idea when I hear one.

And so the kids stayed with my folks and between a couple nights in Miami Beach and a few in Islamorada, I'm happy to say we were away long enough for that always-on parenting part of my brain to replace the whirring, worry, and throbbing with SILENCE.  

Total bliss.

This is our view from the top floor balcony of Eden Roc-- the first and probably last time I'll be hitting the "PH" button on the elevator.  In addition to finding out that the Kardashians had stayed on our floor recently, I also had to acclimate myself to the disco tech music that seemed to follow me everywhere from the moment we got off the plane.  (Not exactly the same tunes sung by Mr. Itsy Bitsy Spider and his twinkly star gang...)

Anyway, with Sean working constantly during our time in Miami Beach, I just had to bite the bullet and get out by myself.  So I braved the perpetual nightclub atmosphere and managed to swim in the ocean, take the public transportation down to Lincoln Mall (instead of dealing with the swanky, intimidating valet guys) and then walk a couple miles back to our hotel along the lovely beach.  (Which-- note to self-- was really too hot to do without a bottle of water.  Don't ever do that again.)

Eventually the forum ended and we were free.  Hightailed it out of Miami Beach... but then things slowed down a bit.

We ate lunch (three times, of course) in Little Havana before I finally convinced my husband to focus on getting us HERE:

ahhhh-- now THIS is what I came for...

In addition to watching a dramatic sunset that first night we also got to see an extended stunt flying performance by one crazy soul who seriously maxed out that little biplane, and you'd think, his own stomach.

Which was REALLY supremely cool.  

But still nothing compared to a sunset on this level of fantastic.

I mean, I really hope that guy landed his plane in time to get somewhere and enjoy THIS:

Upon awaking the next morning, it took me a while to accept the fact that people don't go to the Keys for beaches.  I just assumed ALL islands in the Caribbean were beach destinations.  But after consulting locals and doing a little of our own exploration, this was all we could find within a mile or two radius... basically a parking lot covered with some white, sandy, crushed rock stuff.

And so then I felt much more at ease just enjoying our little man-made "island" with a pool and fantastic sunsets.  I was happy knowing there was nothing greater on Islamorada to conquer other than tasting the various sake "cocktails" at our bar and keeping vigilant watch for manatees.

(Did not see any.  This means, of course, that I need to go back and look longer.)

The little resort was great; we played many rounds of bocce and took advantage of their free bikes, snorkle gear, and paddleboards.  Which brings to mind a specific incident of Sean choosing a kayak that capsized on him, much to my befuddlement as he had not notified me that he was taking on water-- then suddenly just tipped over... Anyway, I rescued my husband and his kayak, handed over my paddle, and he rowed us all back to safety.   Only casualty were his sunglasses.  (Which means, of course, that I need to go back for the purpose of finding the sunglasses.)

The driving we did between Miami and Islamorada really drove home exactly HOW many different types of palm trees there are.  I always knew there were, like, more than one, or something-- but really, the variety is ASTOUNDING.

Leeeeeezards EVERYWHERE!!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Josephine and Clement suffered at the hands of their grandparents and missed us pretty much not at all.  :-)

José[phine] can you see?

Josephine's a veteran when it comes to our neighborhood Independence Day parade, this being her fifth!  Clement's a newbie.  I think he liked it, as demonstrated by spontaneous bouts of clapping.  Of course, he lucked out in that it felt about 10 degrees cooler than it has been in previous years!

clapping

Some friends in the wagon next to us... Eli is a bit younger than Josephine and Abby's a bit older than Clement.
Got to catch up with a few neighborhood families, actually, which is always nice.

this man was piping patriotic music out his speakers and generally looking adorable

the wagon is "all-terrain"... too bad Clement's wagon-riding skills are NOT.
If you enlarge this photo you can see the lower lip pout after yet another tumble.

Josephine and Clement's liberty garb courtesy of Mama Jo -- thank you!

We don't really have plans to do anything involving fireworks or other festivities-- mostly seems like a good day for napping.  In all honesty, it's not even noon and I'm all partied out.  oh well!  I get points for effort.

Happy Fourth of July, Everyone!

mayfield park

Nothing like a week of 100+ temps to make a drop to the low 90's feel downright heavenly!  Went out to Mayfield Park to enjoy the evening...

Bubbles for Josephine, an ice pack for Clement, a little chilled rosé for Mom and Dad, and not a soul around.  Couldn't have asked for anything more peaceful.  Sean gets major props for this well timed excursion.  I think we all needed a dose of quiet.

Cedar fragrance a bonus.

oooo, YES.  I like this.  best hat ever, Dad.