Wednesday, October 1, 2008

A Day at the Beach

Dear Mother Nature,
Can I call you Mom? Ok, sorry. Mrs. Nature, how've you been? I'm sorry we are destroying the planet. It would be nice if you had the ability to heal yourself, like Claire Bennett. But that's neither here nor there.

The reason I'm writing is because it's October 1st, and I would appreciate it if we could stop all this heat nonsense. Once it's October, the 100 degree days really become tiresome. If you could do something...what? This weekend? High of 86 on Sunday? Really? Wow. You have no idea how much I appreciate that. Thanks!

Love,
Shelley

Because of our strange 'modified year-round' school schedule, we have already been in school for nine weeks, or a full quarter. Half a semester. Whatever. Anyway, the way our school year is structured, we get a two-week break after every quarter. My kids are on fall break for the next two weeks.

Last year during this time, we took a vacation to San Diego, which you could read all about here, in a four-part series. Complete with pictures.

This is Kylie a year ago on Mission Beach in San Diego. It was a great trip. We seem to do something every other year, and this isn't the year, for more reasons that it's just not the year. I think it might have something to do with the whole money/economy/world ending thing. Maybe.

Anyway, the challenge is trying to keep children busy and happy during the break. Ok, actually the challenge is trying to keep a very active six year-old from driving me nuts, and trying to do at least one thing a day with her.

There is one plus side to the 100 degree days we are still having: we can still swim. So we decided to go to the beach and swim today.



That's Kylie on the left, and some random little girl she started playing with on the right. Shyness is definitely not one of Kylie's personality traits. I'll bet sometimes people wish it was.

Now, you might be saying to yourself, "Shelley, where is there a beach in Arizona?" That's a good question, although we do like to make jokes about California dropping into the ocean and having us some oceanfront property in Arizona. I believe there's even a song. Just kidding, Californians! Love ya!

Ok, we didn't actually go to the beach. Some friends invited us over to swim, where they have this really neat, huge swimming pool with it's own beach.



So we pretended to be at the beach today. All we were missing is some waves and a few Mojitos. Kylie had a great time. I think as long as there's sand and water, she has a great time.


Before you ask, no I have not taken my six year-old to the tattoo parlor. Those are some sort of kid/temporary tattoos. I think. That's her story, anyway.

She proceeded to bury her new friend in the sand. Then the friend buried Kylie in the sand. I think whoever came up with the whole beach in a pool idea is a genius. The sand goes partway out into the pool, then there is a small barrier between the sand and the rest of the pool, topped with some sort of grate that catches any wayward sand. It seems to work well, as the rest of the pool didn't appear to have any sand in it.

Unfortunately, Kylie couldn't say the same for her bathing suit. Girlfriend had sand in places that no girl really wants to have sand, if you know what I mean.

So, what's on the agenda for tomorrow? I don't know. Please, someone give me an idea. And if it doesn't cost any money, you get bonus points.



11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, sure. Tease me with BEACH pics. It's 41 here this morning (supposed to get down to 36 tomorrow morning...I still don't have my heat on!)

Yeah, that's me teasing. What comes around goes around.

*smooch* Love ya! No ideas on how to keep her busy though...aren't they supposed to figure that out themselves?

Here's a Sharpie, Kylie...knock yourselfe out, sister. ;)

carla said...

Amen on the heat.

The Toddler Tornado & I nearly melted yesterday at the park BUT I swear Barnes & Noble is thisclose to charging rent...

MizFit

Anonymous said...

Mother Earth Heard your pleas and responded to me through some writer for the Tribune, courtesy of the National Weather Service. See below....THE SUMMER KILLING PACIFIC NW STORM IS COMING THIS WEEKEND!!!!:

October 1, 2008

Strong storm could hit Valley this weekend

By Mike Branom
Tribune

Summer’s unrelenting heat is forecast to be swept away this weekend by a strong storm.

High temperatures in the low to mid-80s are expected in the Valley on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

That would be a drastic change, as the thermometer has topped 100 degrees on 12 of the past 13 days. Wednesday’s high was 100.

At this time of year, the daytime highs usually are in the lower 90s.

In addition, Sunday morning’s low could fall into the low 60s.

After the storm passes, cooler temperatures will persist into next week.

Also in the weekend’s forecast is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Most of the activity, if any, would be in the mountains to Phoenix’s north and east. But the Weather Service said the Valley could see rain if the system moves far enough south and pulls in enough moisture.

Finally, winds will be increasing as the storm moves in. On Friday and Saturday, winds of 20 to 30 mph will be possible with gusts approaching 40 mph.

The Weather Service said a storm system, currently gathering strength off the Pacific Northwest coast, is forecast to move inland Friday and then head to the Great Basin on Saturday.

The storm will then slow down and deepen over the Four Corners on Sunday before sluggishly moving off to the northeast Monday and Tuesday, the Weather Service said.

Computer models are uncertain about the storm’s exact path and strength, the Weather Service acknowledged, but they are in agreement about a cool and windy weekend in the West.

Shelley said...

Yay!

Fannie said...

I hate to brag, but we had an unbelievable summer. Only one week in the 100s. Today? Sunny and 70 - lovely!

Jen said...

OK, Grace and I are so over that beach next week. Dang, I hope it's still warm enough.

For today? Why don't you meet up with a really cool mom and have her buy you lunch somewhere....oh wait, that is what you did!!

Unknown said...

Niiiiice pool!

Meg said...

I think I'd rinse out the suits and let them do it all over again. How can you beat a beach in Oct?

But then I'm from Ohio. So it would rock for me.

Scotvalkyrie said...

Is that ML's pool? Wow. He must make shitloads more money than us here.

Shelley said...

Noooo...that's a pool at a luxury apartment complex where a friend of mine lives.

Sue Wilkey said...

Wait-did you say someone has a man-made beach attached to their pool????? Holy crap!