Rainy, Cold February Weekend

Friday night you two came home with lunch plans, shopping lists, puppets of yourselves, and a lot of big ideas for the weekend. 

While Mommy was at school on Saturday we had a dance party, and then went to the green spot so Julia could see Girl Scout Cookies with her troop. Aidan, you and I were VERY willing customers. 

We went to Subway for lunch, and we got free sandwiches...because there was a dead rat in the store! Julia you screamed when you saw it, Aidan you thought it looked liked Desperaux (the main character of a book you were reading at school). You both mused on how you'd never seen one before. I hadn't either. So...we have that in common. Free lunch!

Then, Julia went to a playdate with Zoey and Ellie, Aidan you and I played chess (you won) and then we played a game you made up called "pretend chess" (you won too!)

Sunday was another funday. Julia, you set up a spy kit:

Then you tackled Mommy!

While Aidan was on a playdate with the Larson boys, Julia had a private ukulele lesson...from me! We learned two ukulele chords approximating John Lennon's Imagine!

We picked Aidan up and reunited. No matter the weather, no matter the excursions, no matter the temperature, we all can seek shelter together, in the warm, loving arms of our dear, dear family.

One last time: Cousins, Uncles & Aunts, Summer Fun

Just between our annual summer beach trip and the first day of school, while 3 of your amazing older cousins and an awesome Aunt and Uncle were still in town, we crammed in a LOT of family fun into one weekend:

We had a Shabbat dinner/Wrestling match:

We took a trip to a super cool comic store:

We went Kayaking on White Rock Lake:

..and we had one last burger and some sweet goodbyes (for now!) at Twisted Root

Like I said...we crammed in a LOT of love and family into an awesome weekend, and an awesome summer.

You and your cousins are such a great multi-decade-spanning friendship; and I hope that beautiful relationship continues to grow and thrive!

Beach Trip 2016- Sand, Surf, Seafood, and Family

Life proved to be a beach once again for the Weinsteins and Helfords.

In late August we loaded up the car, sang a bunch of songs on the road, and headed down to Galveston for a week of beach life.

We made a week long of memories with each other and our family.

Plenty of time chasing, surfing, sanding, flying, and laughing at the beach and the beach house with cousins, parents, grandparents, and siblings.

There were some amazing memories:

Mommy saved a baby bird and provided many beachy sandy cuddles and sandwiches.

Julia was a sand mermaid not once or twice but three times and found many special shells and was one with the beach.

Aidan got on the ground for crabbing without much trepidation for the first time and he and Mommy chased crabs with Uncle Taff and the gang! And Aidan became one with the ocean...

Daddy - that's me- tried to do a hand stand.

Molly was able to play at the beach with y'all for the first time and, boy, did she have fun!

Uncle Taff brought the DARK TOWER and we all tried to figure out how to play. 

Uncle Ross and Molly...well... you'll have to see...

Aunt Rebekka sang songs with Daddy and found cokinas with you both. 

Mimi got the coolest coloring books for you kiddos and there was much coloring and cuddling.

Pops was a beach-a-holic and took long dips with both of you.

WRESTLING!

We rode the surf on rafts for miles and miles and miles.

CANDY AT LA KINGS!

We just hung out...

...and we ALL ate a LOT of shrimp!

By the end we were beached out...and got to know each other even better than before. I love our beach trips, and cherish the uninterrupted time together with our family. Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can hear the wind blowing and the surf rolling in.

It transports me back to my happy place. To the beach.

Now, for your enjoyment, a LOT of pictures!