Padre Island 2011

The boys were stoked to go on our beach trip this year! As soon as we woke up on Friday, they were ready to go. We hit the road around 10:30 am so we could stop for lunch in San Antonio at one of our favorite places, The Alamo Café.

We arrived in Corpus Christi around 3 and on the island about 3:30. As soon as we checked in, we ran up to our room and changed into our swim suits. While I was helping Luke get his suit on, Tyler decided it was too cold in the hotel room and tampered with the AC unit. He turned the heat all the way up! I did not notice until I smelled something burning which caused the fire alarm to go off. I was certain we would get kicked out of the hotel because they have a strict policy against smoking and burning the hotel down. Thankfully, Geoff was able to turn the alarm off. As soon as that fiasco was over with, we headed to the beach. It was calling us. Another funny story from our beach trip was when the boys were having a snack on the beach and the seagulls swarmed us, trying to get a taste of it. Tyler freaked out and it became a scene out of Hitchcock's The Birds. I couldn't help but laugh, it was so ridiculous.

Once we got to the beach, Tyler ran for the surf and Luke for the sand. It’s funny how they are such polar opposites. Tyler loved having the waves crash on him and was Mr. Adventure. Luke befriended a little boy, but refused to share his sand toys with him. He found some seaweed and enjoyed running around with it in his hands, yucky little boy he is. After 2 hours at the beach, the boys were ready for the pool; then Dairy Queen blizzards and bedtime. Our next day at the beach was just as fun; we got there around 7:45 am and enjoyed the coolness that early morning had to offer. The boys were so wiped out on our way home that they slept nearly the entire way.

There’s something so calming and powerful about the ocean -- the waves crashing on the shore, the sea breeze on your face and sand caressing your feet – it’s incredibly therapeutic. I’m hoping next year our destination will be to the beautiful white sand beaches of Florida. It was just the break I needed from my studies. To watch the boys embrace it brought a huge smile to my face. This is just another one of life’s moments that I live for.

My Stinky Little Boys

This summer has been so busy, but incredibly fun. The boys and I have embraced big changes to our life as I continue to get used to being a full-time graduate student and mom, but things are working out well for all of us. We have our summer routine down and I love it! Play dates, pool fun, tutors, therapy sessions, splash parks, Cabela's and outdoor adventures are what fill up our days.

Mondays and Wednesdays are learning days. Luke is in school while I work on school and Tyler has tutors that come and help prepare him for kindergarten. While Tyler works with Kara or Jessica, I am busy writing, researching and working on projects. I feel so alive right now and my mind is bursting with new knowledge. Tyler also has occupational therapy on Mondays, so it is a busy day for us. Thursday is another therapy day for speech. I am amazed with the progress Tyler has made in a little over a month. Luke is having a blast at his new "big boy school" and we are looking into keeping him enrolled there in the fall. He is also making big progress in potty training! I am optimistic and hopeful that he may be in big boy underwear by the end of the summer. Tuesdays and Fridays I leave open for play-dates; we meet up with our buddies at Little Stacy pool, Ricky Guerrero Park, Locomotion and Cabela's. There’s lots of fun in store this summer!

Recently, the boys have become even more obsessed with potty humor and my house has become pretty stinky and not with little boy essence. Just the other day, I needed to get gas before we headed to see Tammy, Tyler's speech therapist. I told the boys we needed to leave early, so I could get gas. Luke told me, "Mommy, you don't need gas! Tyler already has gas and is very stinky." I've decided Luke is a little comedian; he always has me laughing about something and I live to laugh!

In the evenings, I continue to read, write and research. Occasionally I take a break here and there to hang out, talk or Skype with those near and dear to my heart, my girlfriends who keep me sane and make me laugh uproariously. Amber, Anissa, Brandi, Tracy, Maria, Chandelle and Vanessa, you are all so special to me and I could not imagine me without you. Here's to more laughter, gray hair, laugh lines and fun!