The Heckman Family: Quiet Family Weekend

We barely left the house this weekend.

And ya know what? I loved every second of it!

Friday night we ordered in food, put the kids down, and cuddled on the couch. We were in bed, lights out before 10 p.m. Lame? Yes, maybe to some. But to these tired parents, it was bliss.

Unfortunately, little Parker had a different agenda and was up multiple times Friday night/Saturday morning, and decided to get up for the day around 4:30 a.m. Both Brian and I were not happy to say the least. I made him some toast, played a few games with him on the Kindle, and then gave him a nice dose of Advil. Poor kid has his 2-year molars coming in, so I figured that probably had something to do with his discomfort/waking issues.

Sure enough, little man was back down by 6 a.m.... and so was his mama.

Brian and I both crashed until after 8 a.m. - which is quite rare in this house. Fortunately, Payton is old enough that he was able to get up, make him self some cereal, and turn on the TV.

But by the time Brian and I did make our way out... groggy, bathrobes, tired eyes and all... we were all so happy just to hang out together. Brian made a big pot of coffee, we all found a cozy spot on the couch (or in the glider - my new chair of choice now that I moved it into the corner - NOT facing the TV) and we just enjoyed the peaceful, quiet morning together.

Eventually, Brian went up to the Village and got bagels for breakfast and by the time he got back, Parker was just starting to stir in his crib. He awoke in the happiest of moods and was ready to face the day head-on!

We ate breakfast together and then I played a little Play-Doh with Parker while the "big boys" did their own thing.

There was the perfect amount of sunlight coming in through the blinds, and Parker was so happy to create imaginary Play-Doh creatures.

Including this green froggie that he fell in love with (e.g. why he's kissing it), which he calls "Pattie" because he can't pronounce "froggie."

Once we all decided to actually get dressed and face the day, we headed out on our bikes and rode up to the Westchase Farmer's Market.

I fell in love with this vendor's lavender plants... think I'm going to have to plant some lavender soon. It's scent was intoxicating!

Parker fell in love with the all-natural Popsicles. This one was orange-cream and let me tell you... tasted just like a creamscicle. DELISH!

We sat on the lawn in front of the live music tent and enjoyed the warm sun and the cool breeze.

(Brian looks mad in the picture below with Payton, but they were actually talking about putting money in the muscian's tip jar and when it was appropriate for Payton to do it. Apparently it was an intense conversation). :)

The weather was so beautiful in fact, that we made a last-minute call to our adventurous neighbors and we all headed out to the beach!

What a day!

The weather was amazing. Warm breeze, passing clouds, just enough wind to keep it comfortable. Not too many people to feel crowded, but enough to make people-watching fun.

Truly a perfect beach day.

After the kids had made a dozen sandcastles, collected all sorts of coral and seashells and tested out the chilly water, we called it a day and headed to the nearby beach restaurant with great outdoor seating and ice cold beer.

How cute are our neighbors?!?

High school sweethearts, and still just as much in love today!