Month: September 2016

What does Day 3 hold? Well, first, sleep. We were a bit slower getting our motors going on Day 3 only because we all could have slept longer. After we got ourselves out of the hotel, we headed to get some breakfast. Tatum got her coveted bagel and cream cheese while Doug salivated over it since he’s off gluten. He went to order his power quinoa oat thingamajig only to find out they were all out of all oats. So….coffee to power up I guess.

Ok, off to the final beach experience. We only brought the frisbee and ONE sand toy since it was kind of foggy still and we did not plan on staying long. The sand, again, interested Tot more than the frisbee, so Doug and I volleyed for about an  hour or so as Tatum continued to feed the whales; back and forth; pick up sand, dump, return. Pick up sand, dump, return. 

So kind of her to think of those whales. According to her, it was chocolate that they were receiving. Lucky whales. We had to get on the road, so we rinsed off in the water and told Tot not to fall into the sand because she would be covered in sand again. In one ear….

and out the other. My cute little sandy girl.

We returned to the hotel to get cleaned off, checked out, and headed……

to get coffee.

OK, and then off back to Phoenix.

Quick selfie at a quick stop for a quick you know because of all of our quick coffee. 

Did I say it was a piece of heaven? Well it was. Three full wonderful, glorious, beautiful days with Tatum and Doug. Oh, and the beach was phenomenal too. XOXO

Answers? You will find out as you read!

First, we had to load everything up in the wagon. Now, Tatum was most concerned that she would get a ride although she had two perfectly working feet. The key was getting the two chairs, the two umbrellas, the sand toys, the ice chest, the boogie board, and the towels all in one trip. Well, leave it to my brilliant guy to make it all work.

The wagon carried the sand toys and the Tot. We carried the chairs on our backs (the had straps); I carried the umbrellas while I rolled the ice chest, and Doug wheeled the Tot and carried the boogie board. No problem!

We made it down to the sand in one trip!! Hey!!!

Doug had to run back to the room, so, slathered in sunscreen, Tot and I got a start on the sand building. It was not hot at all, so we were very cozy on the sand. 

He returned and diligently got to work on our space. What a setup! This is luxury living at the beach for sure! Tot? Well she was very busy in the sand. Building and digging. It was riveting for her! Thanks to Doug and the variety of sand contraptions.

Now, I was ready to brave the waves!

Feels good…so ready for the board!

So much fun! Definitely was a bit cold after that wind!

What was the Tot doing? She did not even know I was gone. Her building became multiplied with Doug’s magnificent monuments!

Ok, now it was Doug’s turn to brave those waves.  Which pose you like the best?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go Doug!

He rode them all the way home just in time for lunch. Doug and I both had chairs, and Tot sat in the wagon! Perfect.

For some reason, Subway tastes better on the beach.

Ok, now it is time to get crazy. Frisbee. Time to teach Tatum how to throw it. 

This was quite hilarious. She kept throwing it the opposite direction of her aim. We ended up running after the frisbee more than Tatum! Doug and I ended up playing for quite awhile as she wanted to go back to the sand.

She told me she was feeding the whales; very sure of herself. She’d take the pail, fill it up with sand, then dump it into the water. Thereby feeding the whales! Who’da thunk!?

After a long day, we headed back to the hotel to relax. We had been running around on the beach the whole day, and we were absolutely wiped out! The bathtub, filled with sand after rinsing, was so refreshing and Doug kindly got a pic of our coziness as we sat and had a snack.

The rest of the night was Tatum going to bed, Doug and I watching O’Reilly, eating our Mexican food, and me zonking out before 9. Sorry honey.

So you found out all of the answers, and now, the final questions are, what does Day 3 hold? Stay tuned for one final installment of California Dreaming.

Answer: She stayed in her bed with feet on the pillow (she wiggled around to that position), but she did NOT sleep in. 6am wide awake. I laid there and told her to go play with her Paw Patrol characters out in the living room. My darling sainted boyfriend awoke to play with her and they let me sleep. So that would be a YES I slept in and a NO Doug did not get to.

When I awoke around 7:30 (hallelujah), I saw Tatum and Doug playing happily together in the living room. We are all ready to fly the coup and go down to the beach.  As you can see by the picture, I’m the only one awake.

We headed down to go huntin’! For sea shells that is.

Success!

As we were walking to the beach, Doug had said he wondered if we’d find some sand dollars. Well….

Tot, a sand dollar!! We found so many of these little guys.

Drop ’em in girl!

OH we found so many, and Doug had the brilliant idea to collect some sand and fill some glass jars with some of the sand and our shells. We’ll write the date on the jars and now never forget this amazing trip. 

He thinks of everything!

Next stop, breakfast and then back to the hotel to change and get ready to load up for the beach. Stay tuned!
Questions: Will we be able to make one trip down to the beach? Will Tatum enjoy the sand? Will Doug and Mommy brave the waves on their boogie board? Find out more in Part 3!

The idea of even getting to go to CA was a dream. Then, throw in going to CA with Tot and Doug…and Coronado Island!? A pipe dream! But it came true. Thanks to Doug. He made it all possible with all of his planning, supplies, easy attitude and can-do spirit. Plus his love. This trip would have been a sheer disaster or more of a constant challenge had I attempted to do this as a lone wolf. Glad I was not that single wolfy lady.

What made it even more special was the fact that as a child, I never got to do stuff like this with my mom. We had no way to do it! That would now change with my Tatum.

OK, so we left on a Monday morning (Labor Day). Now, this was strategic thinking because we knew all would be returning home instead of arriving on Labor Day. The car ride promised to be a joy because Doug and I vowed to give Tot a new Paw Patrol character every 100 miles. Beautiful. She picked out of a grab bag each one; one by one. Rocky, Chase, Zuma, Skye, Everest, Rubble, Marshall, and of course Ryder. 

Doug was a skilled driver too. Much better than I could have done! Alert, fun, and focused! 

Our stop in El Centro was a highlight of the journey. The young man who served us at Subway commented that we were such a happy family and what a rarity that was. He was very kind and generous with portions too!

When we arrived in San Diego, I could smell the water. Then I spotted it: That gorgeous bridge to Coronado. Heaven, we have arrived. We drove up to our hotel, the El Cordova, and we chose the room with 2 bedrooms/2 baths. Very cozy and BIG!

The Mexican restaurant which surrounded our hotel wafted a scent that intoxicated Doug the whole time. Mmmmmmmm tacos y tortillas al fresco!

We instantly changed and headed down to the beach. But first..

Some silliness. Side note: I scoured the web searching for beach wear that would cover our very pale bodies. Success! Hats included.

It was time! Anticipation of seeing the sand, water, waves…all of it was bubbling up inside of me.  The minute we saw the sand, I awed about how God was so cool to put this sand here. No man could have done this. She was mesmerized. Let’s get that water!! Slowly slowly slowly, she approached. OK…

Let’s run!!!

 

 

 

You can do this TOT!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OOOH her little toes in the sand!

 

Run away!!

Together now We got this!

Now some awesome rocks to climb

Then we played hide and seek with Doug. She is a good little hider. Easy if you’re 3 feet tall!!

Then she attempted to take our picture. Or maybe this was the aim she wanted? We’ll never know.   And BINGO, She got it! 

After cruising around the Del, seeing cute birds, and playing in the sand a bit while we chased her…, 
We headed back to the hotel to get ready for the next day. Now, first we need to get Tot some dinner since Doug and I would enjoy a later dinner. We headed to a local Mexican restaurant and she wanted to taste the mango salsa. BAD idea, but natural consequences for her when she begged and I warned her. Her lips and mouth burned for 30 minutes and guess who carried her home. (she wanted me to). Milk to the rescue. (and Paw Patrol!)

What a great first night. Stay tuned for day 2! Questions to learn:  Will Tatum enjoy sleeping in her own bed? Will Tatum sleep in? Will the mommy get to sleep in? Will Doug have to entertain her in the morning? These inquiring questions and so much more!

We are trying to be more adventurous for lunch. Sometimes, I like to take her out. Today, we tried a cool new fresh asian food place called Foosia. Tatum and I got silly with our chopsticks. 

She decided they were more fun to poke the food with than to eat the food with. That is not the only thing she did with her hands today. She wanted to paint, but I did not think she meant herself. Well, her hands to be exact. They were a perfect mixture of blue, pink, purple, yellow and red.

Then, I got to be entertained. Again, Tatum’s imagination created a microphone. We were building these stackable cups, and next thing you know, she’s singing her lungs out!

More imagination every day with this girl. It is NEVER a dull moment! XXOO

Doug comes over and puts Tot to bed. Now, he is having us text a pic back and forth.

This is what I sent her:
 She said, “HI mommy!

Then Doug texts me back a pic of her:

Hi Tot! I cannot get enough of her precious eyes.

Doug has the whole night time routine down to a science. I’m very proud of him, and I know Tatum relishes every moment. We love you!