How to Overcome Your Fears

Yesterday we went back to one of our favorite summer spots, Old Orchard Beach.

We've been two other times this summer and both times, Lizzie has been less than impressed.

She doesn't like the waves.

There are lots of people.

I think it's really overwhelming for her.

And DOH and I find this very disappointing, because we love OOB and we wanted her to love it as much as we did. But it didn't seem as though she would...

...until she did.

"Mommy! I'm having so much fun! I LOVE it here!"

I am the queen of the rush. I rush, rush, rush through things, through life, through fun. But yesterday I stood and just watched (and not just because I didn't want my little girl to be carried off by the abnormally huge seagulls that make OOB their home). I watched my daughter have the time of her life and saw a memory for make itself right before my eyes. I knew that she was going to remember the day she learned to love the sun and surf here at one of her parents' favorite places. I knew she would remember the freedom of crashing through the waves, the smiles on her parents' faces, the idea in her mind that she's "really a brave girl."

Beach Babe

Swim, Girl, Swim!

Lizzie started taking swim lessons last week and will all through July. She's really enjoying herself and doing such a great job! So far, she's started floating on her back and front with some help, will dunk under the water, and has started kicking her legs using a kick board. We're so proud!

Here are some pictures from today's swim lesson:


Lizzie diving for a ring.



Lizzie dipping her ear in the water through the ring.

Yay! She got it!

Go through the hoop!





Going through the hoop again!



Here's a Tip :-)

Here's a post in answer to one of Mama Kat's writing prompts:

Maine is a land of many bodies of water. We have lots of rivers and lakes and a beautiful coastline to cool off in, but unless you are blessed (and filthy rich), it's unlikely any of these places are your backyard, just waiting for you to jump in. This is why you invest (and I use this word lightly) in a kiddie pool.

It doens't even actually have to be a pool pool. Just look at what we use:

Yep, it's one of those Fisher-Price turtle sandboxes. Sure, we could have picked up a $10 pool at Wal-Mart, but this was free!

All kidding aside, when it's crazy hot out, but you can't must the strength or energy or organization to get yourself, kid(s) in tow, to the beach, the kiddie pool is a cure all. The kids can splash around, you can dip your feet in, and since you probably aren't dragging out the pool at other times of the year (kind of cold in December, you know?), or maybe not even much during the summer, the novelty alone will keep your little one occupied. Throw in some beach or water toys, a freely running hose, and some popsicles and you've got yourself a little water park that beats Water Country (I doubt anyone outside of New England has any idea as to what Water Country is, but you get the idea--at least it wasn't an Aquaboggan reference).

I'd also say a cheapo sprinkler (we got ours for $3 at one of those discount bargain-y store bankruptcy places) and a tarp for a good, old fashioned slip 'n' slide does wonders, too. Who needs a fancy $30 piece of plastic when you can just a tarp that does the same thing for half the price?

Having these few, inexpensive items (kiddie pool, sprinkler, and a plastic tarp) really do make my life easier in the summer. Instead of having to track down towels, a beach blanket, snacks, toys, sunscreen, blah, blah, blah, all I have to do is pull out the turtle, fill it with water, and sit back. What a life.

Some Wordly Advice

Remember, when going water tubing, realize it's not sexy.

It's fun as all get out...but, it's not sexy.

Even if you're extremely toned and fit and nothing really jiggles or moves under it's own volition (not something I've ever experienced), water tubing is still just about the least sexy thing in the whole world you could possibly do.

But damn, it's fun.

Happy summer!

Our Family Trip to Old Orchard Beach

Ah! OOB...the mecca for any good French-Canadian (as my husband is). We took our first trip out of the summer this past weekend and enjoyed the sun, surf, and poutine!

I love the buildings in the center of Old Orchard. Very sea-sidey.



The Old Orchard Beach town hall. Such a pretty building.



The beach! And, probably the only place in America where you'll hear more French than English being spoken :-)

Poutine. For the uninitiated, poutine is French fries, gravy, and cheese (not sure what kind of cheese, but it's good), all melted together. It's crazy good.

DOH strapping Liz's boogie board on her wrist.

Liz and her daddy about to hit the surf.

Really enjoying the sand (and this requires deep concentration, apparently).

Me and DOH! Aren't we adorable!



This is the closest we actually got Liz to the water. She took one quick dip in the ocean, it freaked her out, and that was it after that.

 So, I would have loved to have shown you some great pictures of Lizzie and DOH playing in the surf, but both chickened out (Liz, because she was overwhelmed by the waves, though she assures me that next time she'll "jump through the waves" so she doesn't get splashed so much; DOH, because it was tooooooo cold, waaaaah!). Maybe next time?

Summer Lovin'

As a lot of us know, the past couple of months have been filled with wacky weather. Maybe it was tons (and tons and tons) of snow in early spring, ridiculous amonts of rain, tornadoes, or unseasonably cold temps (or unseasonably warm), either way, things just haven't felt right. Until now.

After weeks (or, at least, what felt like weeks) of lousy, rainy, cloudy, grim weather, we had a full week of almost entirely perfect weather. Warm (even gloriously hot) air, cloudless skies, and beaming sunshine have graced us here in Maine. I spent my afternoons while Lizzie napped lounging in the new house's hammock, inhaling the perfect scent of liliacs (I need to find a perfume that's scented with liliacs), reading a book and eventually falling asleep. I've realized that this is the way I'll likely be able to spend many of my afternoons this summer and I can't say I've much to complain about.

This latest bout of sunshiney weather has infused a new skip in my step. I'm feeling invigerated for the months to come and am looking forward to spending lots of time outdoors. I snapped a few pictures of our outdoor adventures this past week, so I'm goin to share them now.

Cold water! Lizzie playing in the little turtle pool her great-grandparents brought her.

Ah... The good life :-) It'll be nice we get real furniture instead of bright orange folding chairs.

Just one of the many beautiful flowers that have cropped up in our garden.

The pathway down to the saaaaaauna (trust me, not as fancy as it seems) and our firepit.



Lizzie at the park, swinging.