I woke up this morning and decided to take the kids on an impromptu picnic at the “beach” (I use the term “beach” very loosely).  I love a good picnic!  I will admit, I was struggling to surrender my memories to the Lord as we were driving there.  We spent several afternoons at this particular park last summer/fall…and I was missing our fourth person very much.  My heart was aching, but I so wanted to enjoy the day with my little ones.  God’s grace was, yet again, sufficient and we had a great time together. I combined two of my kids very favorite things:  the outdoors with food! Although, if it had been warmer I could have added playing in the water and had the perfect trifecta 🙂  We had the place completely to ourselves so the kids had free reign.  Lincoln is at such a fun age right now and I just love seeing the world brand new through his eyes. We ate healthy and nutritious food that I prepared myself McDonalds…although in my defense, I did bring (mostly) good food for Link and I had planned on going to the grocery store today, but since we threw caution to the wind and headed to the “beach” our choices of food at home were pretty slim.  Please ignore my kids grubby hands and snotty faces…I most certainly did not allow them to eat bites of food in-between playing in the sand/goose poop.  I am much more germ conscious than that 🙂  Ha!  We stayed until a certain little girl had to use the facilities.

OK, could she be any cuter?

Yay.  I opted against taking both curious children into the public restroom (I do have some limits people!) and just used our emergency portable potty I keep in the car (no picture.  Ava, you will thank me some day).  Then I just decided to leave after that.  I had a very quiet and happy car on the ride home and they are both sound asleep in their beds…sand and dirt and snot and all 🙂

Have I mentioned I love being a mom?

This pic is just so there is proof that I was actually there!

(this pic totally reminds me of when I brought her to this park last year)