Paddle Boarding

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Another summer weekend of play is in the books.

This past Saturday we took everyone to a place called Pirate Coast Paddle Company in the Newport Beach area (insert shameless plug: I highly recommend this place if you’re in SoCal BTW!!!). We picked out a spot in the shade, let the kids roam around searching for crabs and all sorts of sea critters, had a picnic, took a ride out on the paddle boards and then swam in the bay til the sun went down.

Crew sat on the “motorcycle” as he likes to call it, which is basically a specially made wooden seat that little toddlers can ride on (thank you SO much Tim L. for coming up with this little bit of amazingness).

This little “motorcycle” is absolutely genius with it’s rubber footed feet that keep it from sliding off and it’s perfect for people/families who love to paddle board but have little kids who want to go too. Crew is only three and he sat on that seat happily enjoying the view for 2 whole hours and STILL didn’t want to get off!

The older kids took turns riding in the floaty boat that was tied to the back of the other paddle board. And Kate just swam back and forth between the paddle boards as she wished. 🙂

Such a fun weekend.

I’ve got to be honest, though, that I could simply end this post here…but it wouldn’t be the full story. I don’t think it would be right to only give the impression that our family days have always worked so well. To leave it there without being more open and vulnerable would leave a gap and give a false perception of reality.

Saturday’s haven’t always been so good.

In the past we have unintentionally let days like this slip away.

Lack of preparation, preoccupation with other things, and lack of organizing had often led to us miss out on time together as a family, and if we aren’t very careful, still does. 

I’ve now learned that there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead, that it doesn’t in any way take away from the fun and excitement, and that organizing actually fuels this kind of unplugged, organic day. I will always love the surprise, the spontaneous, spur of the moment, last minute way of life because there is something that feels “real”, more raw and very exciting to me, but I’ve also learned that we miss out on a lot living only that way.

Besides my camera we intentionally have been leaving technology at home or in the car for these summer family adventures. No, I am not as connected with social media, or friends, or extended family.  There are times I have no idea what’s going on in the news, and days upon days I don’t even look at this blog of mine….but the connection with the kids and with Matt, being present and living in the moment is more than worth it.

I love getting to see their little faces light up with the critters they just caught and listen to their conversations as we explore together. I love watching their curiosity come alive, and I even enjoy staring at their Dorito-cheese-filled teeth as they tell me a story during lunchtime.

These days are short. I’m seeing more and more how fast they fly by.

Sweet mom friends, if you’re reading this and your kids are awake, please log off! 🙂 Don’t miss another second with your littles! Build a fort, go grab an ice cream cone, make some cookies, read a story, take a walk…and have a great day today!

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Swimsuit: Old Navy (sold out online but is possibly still in stores) // Green Wrap/Scarf: cannot for the life of me remember where I got it.