The Perfect Day

Last Tuesday we had one of those perfect Southern California Days. You southern California residents know what I am talking about: 80 degrees inland and about 75 degrees at the beach. I told the girls that if they got up early to finish school we could spend the day at the beach. Well, at 6:45 the girls were up and hard at work. Kayci finished at about 10:00 and Haley....well, Haley was still working on her stuff on the way to and from the beach, but she put forth a great effort to get done. After some minor repairs on our dusty bikes, locating helmets, de-black widowing the bike trailer, and making a simple lunch of PB and honey we were off. It took only about 45 minutes to get to Newport Beach and we were not disappointed. Parking was easy, because it was a school day for everyone else in California. The weather was perfect. The bike path was empty. The girls were so excited to be outdoors instead of doing school that there wasn't a complaint heard for hours...ok long stretches of minutes at a time. We called Mamow to come down and join us. She's retired...she has nothing else to do but respond to every whim of her daughter and granddaughters. We rode to a park; we ate lunch (Why does PB and honey taste sooooo good at the beach?); the girls played in the water (yes it was that warm); they collected 139 sea shells (Yes, we counted); Mamow treated us all to a beach time favorite: frozen bananas; we rode bikes some more; Mamow treated us all to a Spaghetti factory dinner. (No, we don't just invite her for her generosity. It is much deeper and loving than that. I obviously can't watch three bikes AND take the girls to the bathroom.)

The day was just perfect. In fact, if I had tried to plan a perfect day, it would not have turned out this great. I find myself wanting to go back, just to see if we could have another great day like that. But I know, inevitably someone would get sick, the weather would stink, the complaints would abound, and PB and honey would not taste as good. So I will settle for the day we had...unplanned...just a whim that we acted on. A day that the Merrick girls and Mamow will always remember as the most perfect day!!

Two good things:
1. I am so thankful for a husband that works so hard that I am able to stay home with the girls and do fun things like this. (This particular day he worked from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm) We love you honey!!
2. Steve is nothing but encouraging for outings like this. He has every right to be bitter about the fact we do fun things while he is working, but he is supportive and excited to hear about our adventures.

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