Fourth of July Weekend

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. Summer, beach, friends, picnic food, beer, fireworks, there is nothing better. I especially love this holiday with a kid. Mila thinks that the Fourth is like a beach day on steroids--which is basically dead on.

This year one of my close friends decided to get married the Monday after the Fourth of July weekend so I planned on driving home and spending the Fourth with my friends and family on the East Coast. But I'm a sucker for traditions and after vowing to our St. Pete friends that we would spend every Fourth on the beach together, last minute I chose to stay to spend the holiday with them.

One of our friends claimed our beach spot with a group of local kite boarders around 8AM. This meant we ended up with two boats, two RVs, two multi-seater rafts, a fly board, jet ski, and about a dozen kite boards and wake boards along some prime real estate on Pass-a-Grill Beach. The day started off beautiful, but eventually got pretty windy--great weather for kite boarders and perfect timing for Mila's nap.

After a three hour nap, we grilled dinner by the RV and waited for the fireworks to start. Pass-a-Grill doesn't have its own fireworks display, but being that it is the most southern beach, you can see four different shows from there without all the noise--perfect for little ears!

The next morning Mila and I hit the road for Ormond Beach. After some car trouble and rain, we finally made it there in time for dinner at Papi's house. On Sunday we hit the beach where Mila caught some bait fish in her new Catch & Release Beach Aquarium. This tickled her to death, although she was not interested in actually touching the fish--some Florida girl she is--we're working on that.

As previously mentioned, one of my good friends, Tim, decided that the Monday after Fourth of July was the right day to get married. Being one of the first in our group to get married, I felt that I couldn't miss his big day. I requested off and spent the morning witnessing Tim marry the love of his life. 

It was a beautiful, small wedding at a riverside park in our hometown. Just close family and a handful of friends attended. Lauren wore an airy, white sundress and Tim wore the ugliest UF tie I've ever seen--regardless, it was perfect. The simplicity was actually quite lovely and the lack of stress and pressure for the "perfect wedding" added to the romance of the day. After the nuptials, Tim and Lauren went to lunch with their family while our friends went out for wings and beer. Simple and perfect.

❤A

Second Birthday Photo Shoot

A couple weeks ago we met Kaitlyn Stone from Katogenic Photography at Pass-a-Grill Beach just in time for the sunset. We were nervous about the weather, as that week had been dotted with heavy rain storms, but the day of the shoot the sun was out so we anticipated a lovely sunset. In the evening, the clouds started to roll in, resulting in one of the most beautiful and fantastic sunsets we've seen in a long time. Coincidentally, a gold hue was painted across the beach, perfectly complimenting Mila's golden birthday photo shoot.

 

❤A

Happy 2nd Birthday, Mila Joan!

Mila Joan,

Two years old, wow! Why does that seem so much older than one? You're a different person than you were last year. No longer quiet and calculating, much more excited and impulsive (like your mother). You're infectious, your laughter and smile are contagious--even when I'm in the worst moods, you can turn it around. Recently, you started doing this nose crinkle thing when you're happy, it's my favorite action done by any human being ever. You're my favorite human being ever.

This morning after I dropped you off at school I was thinking about being your mom. I thought, "is there anyway I would ever give this up?" And I audibly laughed instantly. Everything I do on a daily basis is for you. Briefly I was saddened by the future memory of you yelling at me because I'm "not fair" and "don't care" only to have me respond with the explanation that I live my life to give you the best one I possibly can. I know now you won't believe me. But maybe on your daughter's second birthday you'll think, she REALLY did it all just for me.

Lately the theme has been "what kind of example do I want to set for my daughter?" I've been striving to be better in every way. I want to be stronger, love purer, be more confident, more self-aware, more productive, and be more adventurous. I want you to take adventures with me, with friends, and by yourself. I want you to explore, be courageous, and take risks--especially ones that could result in significant loss. Do I sound crazy? A mother encouraging her daughter to jump without a net? Well, that's the kind of woman I am and I think I'm pretty great (pauses to take a slice of humble pie).

Speaking of Humble Pie and other great bands, lately you only want to listen to the Frozen sound track--and while I love singing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" at the top of my lungs with you, I really hope you move on from that stage soon. If you refuse to open your mind to other music, the first dance at your wedding will surly be to "Love is an Open Door."

Small Girl, the world is here for you. Take care of it, leave it better than you found it, think that way of yourself too and remember there is no problem mom can't help you solve. I'm here for you always, I am your home.

I love you to the moon and back,
Mom

Mila's Golden Birthday Party

What kind of mommy blogger would I be if I didn't revive my blog in time for my daughter's second birthday? Probably the worst kind--maybe the fact that I need a revival period makes me the worst but I'm back at it and that's all that matters.

This year Mila will turn two on July 2nd, meaning that it's her golden birthday! I love golden birthdays and was really excited to do something fun for my girl. This year we hosted her birthday party in my hometown, Ormond Beach, at the community pool in my mom's neighborhood so all of my family and friends didn't have to make the trek across the state.

It was literally perfect. There are very few things that could have made this party better. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, especially little miss Mila, and we got to visit with some people we love but don't see often. Win-win!

This year I wanted to spend time with our guests and my daughter, unlike last year where my mom and I spent nearly the entire party in the kitchen pumping out food. I made a few desserts ahead of time, brought them over from St. Pete, and ordered subs from Publix. It was simple and tasty! I don't think anyone missed all of the homemade food from last year--no one more than me anyway. 

Mila has a big group of "uncles," guys I grew up with who I adore more than anything. Naturally, they tend to get competitive in life, namely at birthdays where gift giving becomes a sport. Last year Uncle Tim won the best gift award when he gave Mila My Pal Scout by LeapFrog. To this day, Scout is her favorite toy, she brings him everywhere. This year Uncle Steven took away the honor with Bucky the Pirate Ship,which was promptly taken out of the box, set up, and turned into entertainment for our smaller guests.

❤A

P.S. What the hell is with the weird gold tint on these pictures?