On the Move

Over Memorial Day weekend I made a list of “summer resolutions” that I wanted to accomplish this summer. I kept it simple – take the kids to watch J play softball, attend a Portland Timbers game, spend lots of time outside on the deck, pick berries, visit the outdoor pool a few blocks from our house, and get to the coast as often as possible. Nothing earth shattering or life changing, but it’s easy to get caught up in the constant to-do list of house and yard work, not to mention nap schedules, potty training, snacks, etc. and then look up and realize that weeks have gone by and we haven’t done anything.

So last weekend we went to the beach. I’ve written before about how there are no easy trips with the two kiddos. Even a day trip involves bags of extra clothes (including extra-extra underwear for C), diapers, wipes, snacks, sippy cups, toys and books for the car, toys for the beach, extra shoes, sunscreen, towels, double-check that we have wipes, “J, did you grab the snacks?” and “No, Clare, we can’t bring your tricycle.” By the time we finally make it to the car I feel like we’ve accomplished something.

Then there’s the inevitable moment where, either going there or coming back, both kids are screaming in the car at the same time. Parents are inevitably tense and snappy, and I catch myself thinking “stop crying, darnit, we’re going to have fun.”

And then, magically, we do. While I remember the frustration and tears, it fades away into something vaguely unpleasant. What is left crystal clear and precious is memories of Sammy working sand through his fingers, Clare throwing rocks in the ocean, shrieks of laughter as cold water runs over our toes, and assigned time to play together as a family. No laundry, no cooking, no nap schedules – just a family playing together.

Even when it turns out to be colder and windier than anticipated…

Not the beach – just a few more pictures from our Bend trip with Papa.

Memories are made at home, of course, while we snuggle in bed, explore the backyard, wrestle, read books, etc. Memories are made at the grocery store, in the car, on neighborhood walks. But there’s something special about exploring somewhere new, doing things we can’t do at home, introducing our children to the ocean, climbing mountains, finding snow in July, and freezing cold in August.

Riding the ski lift up Mt. Bachelor

Adventures with the Family Mac

The Story of an Average Family of Four Living in Central Oregon

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