Oh my sweet loves. We just took our first beach trip as a family of 2 and I have so much to tell you both about it. After noticing an ad for a last minute vacation condo in Panama City (and it was one week post spring break so the funnels would be put away) I jumped on the chance to get you two in the sun and sand. The ride down was amazing. You both were such sweethearts and watched movies and snoozed until our one little stop at “It Don’t Matter Cafe” (how great is that name?). The lunch was questionable, but the time together was so perfect. Shep: You and I sang Patty Cake and If You’re Happy And You Know It and  spent our time giving “tickle tickle”s to River as he watched a giggled just for you. My angel baby River: You slept almost the entire time. When you were awake? Well, you smiled of course.

We arrived before check in and visited Dece and Shep who were staying just a bit down the road by their pool. Shep: Your Dece had you a brand new train set that was waterproof and you plopped that swimsuit on and headed into the water to play trains with her and her friends. River: You were ALL about the summer breeze. Under the umbrella with that pale skin like your mommy, you took in the sea air and just kicked and giggled as you enjoyed your car free time. All was well and good until we had to drive 30 minutes to the condo. At that moment, you lost it Shep. You absolutely lost it. I can honestly say I was checking out of my head just to hope that my hearing would vanish. We assumed by the screams that you were dying or on fire or something absolutely awful, but in actuality, you just didn’t feel like the car was your favorite place right then. We pulled up and unbuckled you and suddenly the sky was bluer and the birds sang sweeter.

The sand was your favorite Sheppard. You poured it for hours into the holes of the beach chairs for umbrellas and you gained a love/hate relationship with the ocean. You ran towards it with such excitement, but didn’t want it touching you. Your sweet Daddy spent countless moments trying to show you how fun it was, but you just panicked that he was leaving you behind. It was such a sweet thing to watch the two of you chasing the ocean. River, you snoozed like the sweet baby you are in the red wagon we towed our beach gear in and soaked up the sounds of the sea while you dreamed about me I assume since you spent the whole sleeps smiling 😉

Our final day was spent with thunder and lightning covering the beautiful beaches. Daddy took you, Sheppard to Ripley’s museum and Alvin’s Island and even bought you a brand new choo chop train which made your trip while River and I packed up. We decided it would be genius to leave early and head out while you two slept. Let’s just say that you woke up two hours in wondering why you were upright and kept begging me to “hold you” until you passed back out. River woke just as we arrived home and you both cried for me in the back while Daddy discovered we were locked out without a key. What does a Mommy do? Why she nurses one in your right arm and holds the other in her left while sitting in the front seat to avoid the rain as their Daddy breaks into the house. Sweet boys. next trip lets rent a humongous mini van and make a party of it. I need a few months before we attempt another road trip.

My favorite memories are River’s beach naps, watching Sheppard play trains and create sand art at sunset, having early morning coffee watching the waves break on the shore with River while the others slept their morning away, and spending time just the four of us stepping outside of my thoughts for a minute to look around and realize I was right where I dreamed I would be one day. Two beautiful children, a loving husband, and my own little paradise that was all mine to keep. I love you all so much.

Xx Mommy