Sunday, May 15, 2011

A Weekend in Cape May

My husband and I took the girls to Cape May, New Jersey, this weekend to enjoy a little pre-season getaway and celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary.
We stayed two nights at the Montreal Inn, with a beach front balcony and a bedroom/living room/kitchenette suite.  What a luxury!  
This is the first time the girls have ever been to the beach, so it was total joy to watch them discover sand and smooth rocks and seashells for the first time.
Of course, they had the requisite sand pails and shovels for castle-building!
I was delighted to find a little white heart-shaped stone on one of our first walks on the beach!
Shortly after the photo above was taken, both girls took a tumble at the edge of the water when the swirling surf made them dizzy.  Mommy had to run up to help Daddy with "the rescue."
This cuddle with Bayla just might be my very favorite part of the weekend.  It was naptime, and she seemed to know it.  She curled up in my lap, and laid against me to rest--and this is one little girl who doesn't usually REST willingly!
Other weekend highlights include flying a kite on the beach...
...visiting the Cape May Lighthouse...
...finding out just how strong my husband really is (heehee)...
...and commemorating our visit...at least until the tide came in!

As you can see, it wasn't a beach visit for swimsuits and suntanning--which is really just as well!  It's kind of fun to enjoy grey, windy days by the ocean before the summer crowds start piling in over Memorial Day weekend.

The only art supplies I took with me were a 4"x6" Strathmore drawing notebook and a black Uniball pen.  I also took L.K. Ludwig's Creative Wildfire to read.
It was kind of heavenly to sit on the sofa at night in front of the open balcony door, listening to the waves roll in while I read or doodled. 

I heard a woman talking on her cell phone beyond our screen door, saying, "I can't wait to get home so I can RELAX." 

My, oh my, did she ever miss the point!


13 comments:

Janet said...

That looks like my perfect kind of weather to go to the beach! I love gray, cloudy days because there aren't so many people and I can enjoy myself. That woman on the cell phone is definitely missing the point!!

Happy Anniversary!!

laurie said...

what a fun get-away! i have wanted to go there so it was interesting to see your photos and read about your trip. your girls are adorable!

Desiree said...

great set of photos, looks like a fun day indeed! I love the one of you and the girls with the lighthouse behind at a n angle, great pic! :D

lee said...

oh I love the beach and we live 850 miles from the beach. Looks like you have a great time, and happy anniversary.

VivJM said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! Looks like you had a lovely time, and what fun for your girls to go to the beach for the very first time. We live just a few miles from the sea so take it for granted a bit, but your pics really captured the joy of the beach. Lovely!!

Parabolic Muse said...

I love this!! When those little ones fell over you must have freaked out! I would have run screaming to the water and then ordered him to go in because I can't go in the ocean!

So, that probably means I'm not going to be babysitting...

Happy Anniversary! What a strong guy you have! However, I probably would trade in the lighthouse present for something a little more... practical?

I got on of the 4x6 Strathmore watercolor journals the other day! I look forward to working in it with my watercolor pencils, which I've never used.

Am I still talking?

aprilmariecole.blogspot.com said...

First, CONGRATULATIONS!!
Looks like everyone is having a wonderful time! :]
You have a beautiful family!
Boy, time flies... all my kids are grown & off doing their own thing.
It is wonderful when I can get them all together under one roof, heaven to me :]
Thank you for sharing your art doodling... love it, love it all.
oxox

scrapwordsmom said...

What a lovely break and lovely memories you made with your family. Darling little girls!!

Happy Week to you!!

Andria said...

Thank you for the anniversary wishes, as well as the comments on my girls, photos, and doodles. My husband gets the credit for the coolest photos--the writing in the sand and the one looking up at the lighthouse (he laid on the wet grass to get that one!). I really love hearing from of all of you; thank you so much for commenting!!

Carin Winkelman said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I love the photo of your husband lifting the lighthouse ;-)

Carin Winkelman said...

Oh, and happy anniversary too of course!

Kirk W. said...

Andria, Kirk here. I am honored to have my quote on your web page, thank you for making me infamous. I enjoy your art as well. Your spirit is bright and your children are precious. Regards, Kirk

Andria said...

Thanks, Caatje! Kirk, how neat that the originator of a favorite quote finds his way to my blog!