try

I am one of those mommies that lets my son run around in a fountain at the park, fully clothed and has no qualms about it.

I am one of those mommies that you see bolting out of a fitting room of a department store, with a dress half on, chasing after a giggling toddler that thinks it is a fun game to run around the clothing racks and play peekaboo.

I am one of those mommies that when on a walk with friends and their kids, I am trying to keep my tantrum throwing son from hurting himself when he collapses onto the concrete in a pile of tears and frustration because he cannot throw rocks in the pond because it is time to get into the stroller.

I am one of those mommies that is putzing around at home, thinking it is too early to leave for a play date, but when in reality have to grab my son and head out the door in lightning speed because I got the time wrong.

I am one of those mommies that when online at the post office, receives stare after stare because my child is running around the place, jumping, skipping and pointing out Mickey Mouse on the envelopes they sell because he will not be confined to my arms.

I am one of those mommies who cannot stand to hear my son cry so loud and long that he is coughing and about to vomit, so I always answer his cries, every one, even when he calls for me 8 times a night since birth.

I am one of those mommies that is still nursing her son at almost 2 years of age and mighty proud of it.

I am one of those mommies that desperately wants my son to grow to know the Lord as his savior.

I am one of those mommies that basks in the perfect joy of multiple kisses, hugs and eskimo kisses every day, always initiated by my cuddly, loving son.

I am one of those mommies that after putting her son down for a nap and munching on lunch, realizes that I completely forgot about playgroup that morning and missed it entirely.

I am one of those mommies that people may judge and look at strangely because I try to give my son more independence than a usual toddler might have. But I also try very hard to teach him manners and respect. I see other mommies that boast good control of their children and that come when they say to come, the very first time. The bottom line is I try. I try every day. I try to be a mommy that God would be proud of, a mommy that my husband can compare to the Proverbs 31 woman, a mommy whose efforts I can be happy with. I will always fall short and always need God, but I try every day. I may be a flaky scatterbrain, but God has blessed me with a child, and every day I try to make Him proud. Every day I try.

faces

kite

At the beach, we flew a kite with Eli for the first time. And as with everything else, he wanted to do it himself. He is becoming so independent, always wanting to do everything himself:

blow bubbles

use the stairs

drive the car (ignition off of course :))

carry the basket at the supermarket

walk in stores (will not sit in stroller anymore)

You get the picture.

So we let him hold the kite, to see how he would do.

And he did wonderful! The kite was very high, but he still held on, walking around the beach with it.

Daddy, always present, watching and teaching the ins and outs of flying a kite.

And Eli drank it all up......until.......see video below.

new

And smile we did! What a great vacation! In true Denise fashion, I took over 350 pictures....wow. Don't worry, I won't be posting all of them here. But all week I will post some pictures from our trip. This post is about Eli's first experience with the beach this year; the first that he remembers, I am sure.

We got to the house at around 3:30 so Chad, Eli, myself, our nephew Nathan and my sister's husband Wes all went down to the beach (see them in the background of this pic) in our street clothes. I didn't put a swimsuit on Eli because I didn't think he would go in the water. So here he is making his way down to the water.....do you see the look of trepidation on his face?

Here is looking at the shells, I believe. He still wasn't going in the water at that point.

And I think this picture sums it up. Once he really saw the water he went in full force! He loved the water the first day. It was so new and refreshing after a 3 hour car ride.

Look how wet he is......he got even more wet, played in the sand with a shovel and then we were off to the house.....we knew we had many more days of fun on the beach to come:

morning walks on the beach

boardwalk rides

funny faces

kite flying

boccie ball

body boarding

sand hole digging

quoits tournament

lifeguard boat sitting

napping on the beach

burying cousin Nathan

dance off with another kid

home

beachbound

This is the true story... of 12 family members... picked to live in a house...vacation together and have their lives taped... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World: Sea Isle City, New Jersey.

Look at that beach....it is calling to us and we are answering the call. We are off to the beach for a week of fun filled gluttony, laziness, ice cream and rip currents!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!! I know I am usually very picture heavy, so get ready for more pictures than usual, if that is possible, when we get back. Have a great week! :)