It was one and a half hour drive.  We stopped at Target and Dunkin’ donuts on the way and brought along a cooler of drinks and snacks.  We were at the beach for five hours.

I realized why floppy straw hats are so necessary.  I hid under mine all day.  You can bend the sides or front down and you’re in your own little world.  You can read, look at the mesmerizing waves, or eavesdrop on the conversations happening around you.

Now THIS is a beach read.

He’s going to the prom tonight with a sunburn.

Lobsters and fried seafood platter, milk shake and dr. pepper.  Oh my word we made a happy mess.

We also stopped at our favorite “after the beach” bookstore and the boys had coffee while Grace agonized between two poetry books. . . . . . . .

I chose two memoirs, a cookbook for my mom, and a book for Seth and Larissa’s baby.

My grown up kids took turns playing songs for us to listen to on their phones all the way home.

I thought over and over to myself yesterday, “I have grown up kids and I still look fabulous.”  (I mean, I was in my swimsuit for the first time in a year and it was the natural time to evaluate).