Ghetto Beach

I am a summer girl. I love the ocean, sand between my toes, sun in my face and the sound of waves crashing. So when we found out we were moving to Indiana, instead of a coastal city (like I was praying for), I was more than mildly bummed out.
Imagine how excited I was when Ryan told me there was a beach close to us. Now, it wasn't the ocean, but there was a beach and I was ready to make the most of it. This weekend I woke up and was ready to search out and find this treasure. We hopped in the car for the less than 15 minute drive. Pulling up to the park we saw the expansive water and I just knew it was going to be wonderful... still not the ocean, but water and sand and sun.
As we pulled into the parking lot I knew this was not at all what I had been hoping for. We payed our entrance fee and walked through the building out to the grass?... really, grass??? "Where's the sand? Where's the beach? These were the words my equally beach loving daughter whined repeadedly. My head echoed her sentement.
We found a spot to put our chairs in the grass - ok, it was barely grass, it was dead and sparse and twiggy. Then looked for a way to make our way to the water, because again, there was NO BEACH!!! There were 2 sets of concrete stairs that lead you down to the water. At the edge was a concrete retaining wall and between the wall and the water was their "beach" a 2 foot span of gravelish type sand. It was awful! And there were sticks everywhere.
Of course Avery, being 6, was not deterred, so I sucked it up and put on my best excited momma face and got in the water.
When we arrived there weren't many people there, but as the day went on, OH MY! The people... toothless, beer bellies, biker babes (I use that term LOOSELY) in their tacky sports bra looking bikinis, and tatooed pregnant teens with stretched ear holes and rainbow hair. Some of which is not so terrible in small doses, but this was the "norm" for Ghetto Beach.
I am thinking we won't be going back. There is however a REAL beach about 2 hours away and we will be going in a few weeks. I can't wait. And I will even attempt another small beach about 40 minutes away, because it is supposed to be bigger... we'll have to see about that one.
Ghetto Beach has scarred me for life!

The New Domestic Me

For those of you who know me well, it will come as no surprise that I am lacking in domestic ability. I can't cook well, sew much more than a button, and anything else well, I probably would need a visual description to even know what it was.
The thing is, I want to be more domestic. I envy those who can whip up a fabulous meal that people actually recognize. I have projects that I would love to be able to make myself. Since moving here I have been trying my hand at some of these things. I am baking my own bread. It actually turned out well, not great, but edible. I have been cooking nearly every meal and doing something I have NEVER done before... trying new things. And amazingly everyone eats it, and likes it MOST of the time. I am really liking this new found domestic "ability".
Today we went to a farm and picked our own blueberries. When we got home I decided to make muffins. Then for dinner I made turkey burgers. I had watched a show about gourmet burgers and was inspired, so I pulled out some ingredients and improvised. Who knew I could do that, certainly not me. It was fun and I felt a new sense of pride in an area where I typically feel like a slacker.
Maybe it is the sea of cornfields that surround me or the farm air of Indiana. So look out I am morphing into a domestic diva.

Summer Fun

This week we had some really nice weather. It's a good thing, since next week looks like one big fat storm. Blech! These pictures are from our adventures to the zoo, children's museum, and the park. And yes, that splash park is at the zoo... woohoo! I snuck Aver's suit in my purse and she had no clue she was going to get to do that. I was SuperMom of the day, that is for about 5 minutes.

Life Goes On

This weekend was party central, but now it is time to get back to life as usual. Not too exciting in good old Indiana, but I am doing my best to stay busy, make friends and reclaim my life.

I have decided to merge my 2 blogs into 1, so you will get the occasional update about how my life transformation is going. I have hired a trainer and joined the gym, so I am on my way. I decided to start with small goals. I think I have been successful this time is cutting out pop - at least at home. And my evening snacking is becoming more a thing of the past. They say after 3 weeks it is habit, so I am getting there. Today my shoulders are so sore from the workout I had yesterday, that I am not sure I can wash my own hair, but hey I'll have great arms one day.

Avery started swim lessons last week and she is totally loving it. They said she is doing well, but might need another session before she can swim above water. She has the skills, but needs more strength, because she is too tiny to stay up. She did actually float for about 5 seconds on Monday. We go again tonight, so we'll see if she improves her time.

Today is rainy and gross, so I think we are going to do some shopping. Maybe downtown to get something with the birthday money Avery got - it is burning a hole in her wallet. And yes, her wallet is cuter than mine, I need a new one.

Birthday Time Again

She's growing up. Really and truly becoming a big kid. It's hard to believe that I have only been able to share 4 birthdays with my girl, but everyone has been emotional and wonderful.

Birthdays make me think a lot about her birthmother, and how grateful I am that Natalia chose adoption for our girl. I wonder if she thinks of her on this special day. I wish she could know how amazing this little girl is and how much of a blessing she is to our lives.

This particular birthday is a little bitter sweet. We thought we would be celebrating this day with the addition of a new baby. Our little one that was lost was due on Ave's birthday. I'm sad, but focusing on all I do have, instead of what's missing. My love cup runs over, because of my spunky little monkey.

Apparently six year olds are whitty, smart, and imaginative. I love watching Avery get excited about math or hug my neck till my eyeballs pop when I praise her. She is the life of the party and can make friends in seconds. Most days I am proud of her manners and compassion. Her favorite thing in the world is riding her bike. (still with training wheels) She no longer refers to Starbucks as "StarBucket" because she is too grown up for that. And she is a total prankster.

So tomorrow we will celebrate the amazingly bright and vivacious girl I get to call mine. Happy Birthday Avery Ryan. Mommy loves your guts!