They were the worst of times...

They were the best of times. :-)

I took Iz AND Nate to the beach today.
Come on, we’re really trying to get our money’s worth out of that “family” pass that I bought for Crane Beach! :-)

I was really, really surprised when Nathan said he’d come along last night.
I said, “Look, no asking me when we’re going to leave, k?”
Nathan laughed.
Well, Iz and I could stay all day at the beach and then some.
We’re just, well, mermaids.
Actually, we could probably pitch a tent and sleep there, but I’m sure Crane Beach with all its rules (no dogs, no alcohol, no disturbing the nesting birdies, no bathing in the bathroom sinks, and what not) has a rule about camping out too!

I asked Nathan if he was sure, and he said that he really wanted to come along.
This was shocking given it meant 8 hours playing time away from the old X-box. :-)
I almost wanted to say, “You know, this means hanging out with two crazy women for the day?!?!”
But, I think he already knew what he was up against.

I rousted him out of bed at 9:45am this morning and said “We’re leaving in 15 minutes!”
He was down in the kitchen five minutes later, dressed, and ready to go.

Once in the car, Nathan glanced at me, half asleep in the front passenger side, and said, “Are we there yet?” and smiled.
Within 5 minutes, both Nate and Iz were both playing Nintendo DS, and I got total control of the radio/CD player!

Today’s soundtrack:

http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-West-Plus-Haircut-100/dp/B00005S84K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1247444111&sr=8-1



Once we found our spot on the beach and laid the blankets out, Iz confided in me, “Mom, do you know Nathan has armpit hair?”
She discovered something new about her brother today. :-)

So, you’d think that a 16-year-old and 6-year-old would get along fine.
But the day was full of small battles.
I think part of it was due to the fact that Nathan is used to roughhousing with his two brothers, and he’s not used to the likes of Iz!

Here’s Iz being the card-carrying mermaid that she is.

Here’s Iz trying to convince Nate to go back down to the beach.

Here’s Nathan trying taking Iz back into the water:

Here’s where the two of them have given up assaulting each other. :-)





You know, after you take two kids to the beach, you deserve a paycheck.I should check with unemployment to see if they will compensate for that tomorrow. :-)

After we got back, I dropped the two of them off.
They fed the pets, and I went out to shop.

So there I was, standing in the deli line at the market, waiting to order my haddock.
There was a guy next to me who ordered 10 slices of Boar's Head honey ham.
The deli guy had to go out back to get a new hunk ‘o that.
The guy next to me then ordered 10 slices of Boar’s Head chicken.
The deli guy had to go out back to get a new hunk ‘o that.
The funny thing was that I had NEVER heard anyone order in “slices” before.
So, when he ordered 15 pieces of Land ‘O Lakes cheese,
I chuckled.
Here I am thinking, “Wow, this guy is SO decisive. It’s not like he wants ¼ of a pound. He wants x number of slices!”
His order had now taken several minutes, and I could sense he was feeling badly having me standing there for so long.
He then said, “I’m sorry it’s taking so long.”
And, I said, “No, really, it’s okay. I just spent the whole day at the beach with a 6 and 16-year-old. Believe me, standing here in front of a case of meat and cold salads is a much needed break from being home with my children!”

When I got home, I unpacked all the food, started dinner for Nate and me, and then I felt like I should go out for a run, because I didn’t ride today.
But, a Harry Potter movie was on, and I knew it was a scary point, and I asked Iz, “Do you want me to watch it with you?”
She said, “Yes!”
So, I quickly mixed up a much needed gin and tonic, sat down on the sofa, and she cuddled up against me.

It was only moments later that Dumbledore said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.”
And, he’s SO right.