2015 Neptune Festival - International Sandsculpting Championship.

The weather has been CRAZY here! Super windy, an intense amount of rain, coastal flooding, ocean safety warnings, etc etc. However, I have wanted to attend an event like this for a very long time, so we threw on some warm clothes and braved the boardwalk...

I am SO glad we went. It blows my mind that people can make such amazing things out of sand. The tent spanned an entire block and was sectioned off into two rows. Each of the artists (or duo) had a square of sand to create their masterpiece. It was really hard to pick a favorite... they were all so unique and beautiful in their own way.

Scripture is Mark 8:36

If you are in the Hampton Roads area the tent will be set-up until October 4th, it costs $5/per, kids 12 and under are free with an adult. The tent is stroller accessible. Check out the website for more information, especially with the pending hurricane!!!

"all you need is aloha" - Wimini Hawaii

Have you ever attended a sandsculpting event? 
-Tay

NAS Oceana Airshow 2015

We headed down to the airshow mid-morning opening day... It was quite busy! Somehow we got into a preferred parking lane and ended up parking where the fighter jets usually are on base. No one told us to show a pass or anything so we just went with it. Because of where we parked we didn't need to take a shuttle, we just loaded up the stroller and walked to the entry. We got to see a military landing zone and bombing demo, the Geico Skytypers, an awesome aerial show in a Texan, and some skydivers. Of course we were there for the Blue Angel's though!

Ear pro by Baby Banz

Mamarazzi... hehe, love my boys! They are checking out the skydivers.

SO MANY PEOPLE!

F22 Raptor, my favorite! Our windows would rattle like crazy when they flew over our house in Hawaii.

Despite the Blue Angels not performing until 3pm we ended up heading back to the car around 2pm since baby boy was completely spent, and probably a bit dehydrated, little did we know we would be getting to see the Blue Angel's after all! He drank some water and promptly passed out. We spent nearly 1.5hrs in the parking lot... for some reason they only had one exit route set-up for the parking area we were in. Let me just say you sure can learn a lot about a person's character when stuck in a parking lot. There were two cars that decided they were far more important than everyone else and bullied their way through the lines (I mean we didn't want to get in an accident, and I don't think anyone else did, so when they kept edging in and honking their horns we weren't chancing it!). Despite watching the Blue Angels from the car and the crazy parking situation - it was a good day!

What is your favorite part of attending an airshow?
-Tay

Babies & Birthdays.

Little man is two months away from his first birthday and the questions have started rolling in...

1. What kind of party is he having?
2. What does he want?

First regarding the party - when did it become necessary to have such a huge event for a one year old. May I remind  you they won't remember it. They don't need a huge banner, fancy DIY party favors, a custom order cake, or fancy catered food. They are one. One. (I'm not sure anyone NEEDS those things to begin with). Why should I spend that much money? I will take pictures, he will know he was celebrated and loved.

Yes, I want my son's birthday to be cute. I'll probably even have a small banner, I plan on doing some DIY items, but I'm making the cake myself and what is so wrong with simple balloons and streamers these days? I swear moms put so much pressure on themselves these days to "have it all together" and make "pinterest worthy" items ...I just don't have time for that!

This is what you get when you search "1st birthday party ideas!"

Second, my baby doesn't want anything other than love, attention, food, and a place to sleep... probably a changed diaper every now and then. So what you're really asking is "what can I buy him?" But my answer isn't fun, it's not what people want to hear, it's practical. My sons NEEDS (money towards) the next size up car seat and winter clothing (um hello, he was born in Hawaii and lives in a diaper most days). Neither of those things are shiny or make noise, but I can say that I'd much rather have my son safely secured in our vehicle and dressed adequately for cold weather than the fleeting moment of happiness that comes with a new toy.

So, if you don't want to hear my answer that's fine, just include a gift receipt, haha!

What are your thoughts on baby birthdays?

-Tay