Sometimes that's all it takes to get you out of your head...and into your life.
We rarely ever ever never go away over night. Parker has not been able to sleep outside of his own bed. I don't mean he has trouble sleeping. I mean- HE DOES NOT FRICKING SLEEP. Awake until 1am and then sleeping in two hour intervals in between blood curdling screaming. Like front desk of the hotel calling and politely saying, "Is everything okay in your room?" (because could you IMAGINE if they said- you need to shut your kid up?!). We've tried driving him around and pack and plays and cribs and him sleeping in the bed. Everything.
And I love sleep. More than Reality TV- which is A LOT.
It's been over a year so we decided it was time to suck it up and get away. We joined my Annie at their friends beautiful cabin in the woods.
There were big spaces for the boys to run free in Avila Beach- a tiny little nook about 160 miles northwest of Los Angeles. We went to the most amazing place on earth called the Avila Valley Barn. They had all the things that little boys like. A market and bakery and ice cream and hay rides and delicious food and animals and dirt and a million other things. It was a little island of magic free of everything that clutters your mind in the real world.
Even little baby Adirondack chairs. And yes, I had to google how to spell Adirondack. And no I can never say it. Let's all just agree to call them wooden beach chair thingys. Deal?
But the best, best part was the beach. That's one of the things I love so much about pictures. When I look at them -it's like I'm still there. I can almost hear the water slapping against the sand.
The sky contained the setting sun and so many clouds you could barely see the sky at times. The air was crisp and wet and full of energy.
Laughing, screaming, running, sandy, wet and freezing cold perfection.
Don't you just love that feeling when the tide goes back to its Momma and it sucks your feet and tries to take it with you? Yep, Doodle did too.
He is at peace there. More at peace than I have ever seen him in his life.
Me too. I can't remember the last time I felt THIS alive.
XOXO,
Chrissy
PS- Parker slept in a pack and play ALL NIGHT LONG. Amen.
those last two pictures made me feel all of the feelings. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to get away and enjoy it! I'm ready for a get away too.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me happy. And I need a little happy today.
ReplyDeleteThat brought tears....happy tears....
ReplyDeletePerfection- loved it. Makes me want to plan a weekend away. Amen to sleep!
ReplyDelete-Colleen
Those pics though... Beautiful... Fill my heart with love and happiness.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had such a lovely getaway- so good for the soul when it works & you get that much need break from day to day guff.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are just beautiful- so lovely to have visual memories of such a precious time with your gorgeous family:)
Awesome. I love he pictures of the boys on the beach and love your words about Greyson's peace there.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so glad Parker slept all night long!! Yay!
Beautiful Chrissy, really lovely!
ReplyDeleteTania in Oz
Yay!!! We love the barn! We are there and Avila beech all the time (we are lucky to live in Morro Bay). Neil is super at home and alive when he is at the beach.
ReplyDeleteThat pic of Grey in the air by the ocean - wow! Poster print for Grey's room maybe? I wonder if seeing the picture would have a similar effect for him as seeing them does for you?
ReplyDeleteSo good. What an awesome picture of Grey. And the last one of you? Way to embrace the now and to fully let go. We all need to get away from time to time, to recharge and like you said, real live. Glad you got to sleep too. Thanks for sharing this special family time with us. It's beautiful.
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