Summer Fun Together

Some good things never last. Two days ago, our friends and we went out of town to Virginia Beach. It took more than three hours' drive. We started at 5:30 in the morning.

There were four families, and we led the convoy. The last family (seen here before the sunrise picture) didn't make it till about 11 at night because Michelle came off work at 3 (and you know how it goes - a nurse never gets to go out the door till AT LEAST an hour afterwards). Anyway, we were all nurse women, and our families have met here and become friends over the years. Some of our children were born here, and we have come to learn and accept the realities of life in America, our home away from home. We've all seen each other through joys and tragedies, and have that bond that can last a lifetime.

We had good fun, just goofing around and being silly, for two days and a night. Joseph and Michelle's family almost didn't make it because the tunnel was closed due to some flooding - my, my, the rains in Virginia! Aris had to navigate them by map from our hotel room.

It was a wonder we had some sun at all - well, that's not very kind. The first three families all headed to the beach right away - around noon - and it was HOT! I neglected to put sunscreen on my back because I'd been kept busy chasing the boys who were literally riding the waves, which, by the way, happened to be VERY STRONG. Matthew admitted to having 'drowned' - he might have gotten swept, and fought it back, so he stayed awhile on the shore making sand castles. I didn't like that part of the beach, the strong waves. Plus, it was much too crowded for my taste. No shells. And the sand was brown, though fine. (No, I am NOT complaining.)

Well, I think I may have lost a good two pounds from the heat alone. We were there for a solid 5 hours. Our tans are amazing, but my shoulders hurt. I'm sure the skin will peel off in a few days. That's not good, and not right to ignore the sunscreen. Don't do that. Skin cancer is a nasty business. It crusts, it hurts, it weeps. Of course, it harbors nasty microorganisms, including MRSA. And when you have it, you have it for life. Don't be like me, I make a very bad patient sometimes.

Where was I? Oh. The heat. Well, it started drizzling around 5 and the lifeguards started shooing all swimmers and beachcombers away. It was funny listening to their frantic whistles. We went back to our hotel rooms and watched the dolphins bobbing up and down from afar, and also the lifeguards combing the shore in their truck, back and forth, to make sure that the beach stayed empty.

There were plans to jog and boogey board and swim some more and take shots of the sunrise and with the sunrise, but I was too bushed. Only Aris represented our family. And I wasn't going to wake a 3-year-old to watch the sunrise anyhow when all Mommy wanted was more and more sleep. So Aris enjoyed the daybreak with our friends. I like that shot of the sun with a seagull in the distance.

After checking out, we all headed to Williamsburg Outlet to check out some clothes and stuff. But it was raining so hard so we were running in the rain, and getting all soaked, going from one shop to another. It was hilarious. Some shoppers crossed the road with shopping bags over their heads. The babies with us? No problem. I had Tylenol in the car, and I am sure my friends did, too.

We got home around 8 last night.

Summer's slipping by. As I type this, I'm trying to think of the open house on the 20th where we will meet Matthew's second grade teacher for the first time. Where has all the summer gone? I was so worried we wouldn't be able to keep the boys busy enough, but in truth, I have not even written enough of what we had done. I had even cancelled some of my son's activities because of time constraints. Summer's been fun but too short.

Oh well. Time for everything. Let's see what the next season brings. Hope you enjoyed the pictures! I have so much more, saved for next time, okay? Hope you all have a good weekend! I'm going to nurse my sunburn!