V-Day

When Ryan and I first started dating we kept it simple for Valentine's Day. I think it was originally because we didn't have the finances to live it up nor the patience to wait at a restaurant. As a result we developed our own little traditions. 

We spent our first Valentine's Day watching  Hannibal in a theater and eating cheap pizza. Many of our V-Days afterward were spent watching movies and eating pizza. Some years we'd prepare a nice meal at home because, again, we do not want to spend time in over crowded restaurants. I've always enjoyed sharing time in the kitchen with my love, or better yet getting a break from cooking. 

Valentine's Day is about sharing time with the ones you love. I'm not in favor of "Hallmark" holidays, but then again I do like any excuse for a date. Now that we have an older child, our celebration includes her as well. As we planned what to do this year, we considered a hike, but it's sadly already too hot in Southern California. At least it's too hot to carry a three month old along. The only other option was an afternoon at the beach. My eldest Selah was ecstatic! On the ride out she said, "Thank you Papa, thank you Mama, thank you Zoe for taking me to the beach." That moment blessed my heart and brought tears of joy to my eyes. It's those little moments that remind you that you're doing something right.

Our tradition with children will be to spend Valentine's Day creating family memories. To exchange cards reminding each other why and what we love about one another. And since we schedule time for ourselves on other days, this occasion  will be to remind our girls, that we love them.

Ocean Side Holiday

First I'll point out that this post is pretty late, but I'm a busy girl. Also, I'm a beach lover and despite all the warm weather, not once had I made it out to the beach, at least until now. The decision to cram all possible beach activities in one day was obvious. You should have seen the grin on my face as I realized that this day would be the opportunity that I'd been looking for. Seeing as how I had a day off, no plans, and willing participants, well that's all you need for a fabulous day/night at the beach.

I wasn't kidding when I said my day on the sand would begin at 7, well it was more like 8am, but you get the point. The immediate mission was to locate and claim a spot worthy of our intents. This process is like staking your flag in the sand as though you have discovered this area for the day. Looking around we weren't the only ones taking part in this ritual. Some left a lawn chair or sleeping bag out, while other claimed their area with a simple beach umbrella. The tedious part is hulling all the goods from the car to that designated spot, but it's worth it.

It was a beautiful day accompanied by friends and family. The most eventful part of the day was watching my nephew Xavier fearfully discover the ocean water. This was his first encounter with hot afternoon sand and cold water. It took some convincing, but he finally stopped trying to run away from the tide.

Below are my favorite captures from the day...

Xavier and his Godmother, Veronica

Grandma's lesson

Little Angel

Serene

Despite the cooking and busy bee things that I do, I'm thankful for moments like this. Thank God for beautiful sunsets that are capable taking us to a happy place if only we take the time to notice.
To close out the day we fired up some logs and roasted marshmallows. It was a perfect oceanside holiday.