Beach Time

At long last we were all able to go to the beach. Between busy schedules and the rainy weather, it seemed like we couldn't get there until September. We thought Ethan was ready for his first time and I especially wanted to go.

The weather was still warm and when we got to the beach, it looked like it would be for nothing. As soon as we parked it began to rain as it had seemingly every weekend this summer. As soon as we changed clothes and into our swimwear, the rain stopped. The clouds hung around and there wasn't much sun, but the weather was warm and dry. However it was windy! Lots and lots of wind! A great day to surf actually. The beach was full of surfers. The water was fine. A little cool at first, but as usual, once we got in, we were fine. We all wore a rash guard and this helped keep us warm from the constant wind on the beach.

We decided to go to DuBois Park in Jupiter, FL. This is right on the Jupiter Inlet and has a shallow lagoon as well as access to the beach. There are lifeguards, picnic areas, a playground, jetties, fishing areas, bathrooms, showers, and free parking. Since this park has some of everything, I thought it was a perfect place to take Ethan for his first time at the beach.

Here is the view of the lagoon. The water comes in from the inlet and you can see the footbridge that leads to the beach and the jetties. Since this area is shallow and calm, there were a lot of kids and people relaxing. The wind was simply a breeze and a good place to introduce Ethan to the ocean.

Ethan is taking his first steps from the sand into the water. Later that day he spent some time on the playground you can see in the background.  

This is us on the actual beach. Why no more pictures? You can see Ethan had a tight grip on my waterproof camera. He held on to that thing all afternoon. Why no pictures of the playground? Same reason.

The waves were rougher than normal and pretty strong since it was so windy. Good for surfing. I took Ethan into the shallow water and he got knocked down a few times in the surf. It was too rough to let him go so I held him in the waves. He loved it. We got splashed and all wet. Covered in sand too. Sand everywhere. I got tired but he loved getting splashed. I took a few waves to the face and held him up high so he wouldn't get hit. Finally, after forever, he was just too cold from the wind and the water. So we went back to the lagoon. 

By this time, the Sun finally came out. He was comfortable enough to start playing by himself in the shallow lagoon. He used the sand toys his aunt got him as a present. 

I kept up patrol for toys that would float away. 

After a while, I was finally able to take a break.

Lots of fun getting wet and sandy. 

September Audiobook: Wishes Fulfilled

This month I completed listening to another audiobook. I started off right away so I finished about halfway through the month. This month I chose Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting by Dr. Wayne Dyer.

Dr. Dyer had been a best selling author on the topic of personal growth and self improvement since the 1970s. He wrote this book near the end of his life after years of study and exploration regarding the subject. This book specifically explains how to use the power of God inside all of us to reach our personal goals.

Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian was quite a scare for us. We thought we would get hit for a third year in a row. This year the forecast kept getting closer and closer. Fortunately we prepared like we were going to get hit but did not get hit. A close call for sure.

This prediction graphic made us nervous more than any other.

In the beginning of the preparation, we couldn't find gas anywhere. We loaded up on groceries instead since that is what we could do. 

Businesses looked like this. My truck needed a new battery so I had to go to the auto parts store a few times to buy a replacement and turn in the old one.

This was how Target looked while it was open. 

The bread aisle at Target. 

The hurricane started slowing so I waited to hang shutters an extra day. (Also my weed trimmer fuel line broke the day before so my grass is uneven :p)

Ethan wanted to help. He wanted to help carry heavy shutters but I let him help other ways. 

Even though I didn't need his help, I let him hold the drill while I put the shutters up. 

He "helped" by handing me wing nuts for the shutters. He learns fast. He initially gave me wing nuts one at a time. Eventually, he learned and picked up a handful and then handed me one at a time without having to bend over each time. 

He wanted to help until he got too hot and went inside. 

Here is the house with the new clear plastic shutters that I ordered last year. It was nice to have more light coming inside of the house. 

How the sky looked the day before the hurricane came closest. 

Rain on and off for several days plus wind.

This was the worst of it. Rain and about 30 knots of wind. 

A Day for Kids 2019

I posted pictures from A Day for Kids 2018, so let's post an update for 2019.

Ethan loves that mini-car roller coaster, just like last year. 

He went on the car ride over and over again. 

Pony rides? Ethan's first pony ride. 

He loved it!

Life size video game. Kids use their feet to play like it was a big tablet. 

Ethan wasn't the only one who liked the "get up and move" video game.

Another year and another Day for Kids. What was different? There were more bounce houses this year and no petting zoo. Ethan isn't into bounce houses much. He played in one for about 15 minutes and that was enough for him. No petting zoo was good, he got sick from it last year. The pony ride was good. We'll see about doing that again next time we see pony rides, like at the festivals in the park. 

Miami Seaquarium

It's summer so let's get out of the house and try to see what is around us. That includes the Miami Seaquarium outdoor aquarium in Key Biscayne, FL. It was HOT visiting there in August. Ethan got wet. We dressed for an indoor aquarium not outdoors in August. The regulars dressed in bathing suits.

Here is the view as you enter the Seaquarium.

View from outside.

Ethan spent almost the whole time here at the very first exhibit in the entrance. There was a flamingo exhibit across from a touch and feel water tank. 

He got so hot and wet from the water tank and a mister, we had to change his clothes.

Selfie time. 

Getting hotter.

Look! Real wildlife. And Miami in the background.

Selfie with an iguana. 

Touch and feel tank again. 

Of course we went to the playground as well.

Overall it wasn't a bad experience, we just weren't prepared for a completely outdoor experience. Also, Ethan didn't appreciate the exhibits since he is so young. He spent a while just running around. Afterwards we decided not to come back until he is older and to stick to outings closer to the house for the mean time. I guess that is the reason that children his age are free. I'll look forward to coming back again in the future but not for a while.