We woke up late on Saturday (June 28th). It was nice waking up next to Mario and just talking while we lay in bed. Mario was going to work on Moncy’s car that day so we went to pick up some parts he needed and then we went to Wal-Mart and H-E-B to stock up on things we’d need for our trip to the beach the next day. I spent the rest of the day cleaning and packing our stuff and Mario spent it working on the car. Yadira and the girls came over for a while so we chilled out outside watching Matthew trying to ride the boys’ scooters.
We woke up bright and early the next day and got everything and everyone into the cars. We picked up breakfast at Burger King and ate on the road. Our first stop was the Port Isabel Lighthouse.
I was actually really excited about the Lighthouse. Mario and I’d never been there in our lives, so this would be our first experience in a Lighthouse along with our kids. We took tons of pictures when we got there and since Alaethia was too small to climb on her own, Mary told us to go ahead and she’d stay with her and then we’d switch. Mom went along with us. Jaylen was scared but I convinced him to go up the stairs. They were small circular stairs and I never ever thought I had a fear of heights or enclosed spaces until I was climbing those stairs! I had to keep taking deep breaths and remind myself not to look down because my legs were shaking! I had to put on a brave face since I was trying to convince Jaylen to go up.
We finally got to the platform before the top of the Lighthouse and I could hear Mom wheezing as she tried to catch up. Mario was behind her, just in case. Between gasps she says, “I can’t…go up there.” So she waits on the platform. Jaylen wants to wait too and he looks pretty shook up so we don’t prod at him. Mario, Eenan and I went up to the top of the lighthouse. I was pleasantly surprised that Eenan went up so easily went up the stairs and to the top. He used to be so afraid of heights! I guess their clubhouse has helped him out.
It was an amazing view!
I finally have a good tan on my arms; I got rid of the farmer’s tan!
We eventually convinced Jaylen to come up with us and he got over his fear a little.
Mary went up after we did, accompanied by Eenan and then we chilled out and took more pictures. I love Port Isabel, just being there. I could totally live there. Well, except for hurricane season…
After the Lighthouse we went straight to the beach. Adan, Jason and Brianna had been fishing and we met up with them at the Andie Bowie Park. We rented two umbrellas with chairs, took down our cooler and sand toys and while our moms lounged under the umbrellas we took the kids to the water.
Alaethia was attached to me like a little jellyfish; she was terrified of the water. She didn’t even want the water to touch her when I sat with her at the point where the tide rolls in. She eventually warmed up to the water and even splashed a little with one hand while still vice-gripped onto my arm with her other.
Alaethia had a blast playing with Brianna in the sand. They’d made a little pool and stuck their feet in there. They used their sand toys for a while, then got tired and ran to where the men were playing in the water. Adan had brought a boogie board so the guys were busy trying to catch some waves. Jason brought along two tubes with ropes to pull with. Eenan, Jaylen and Brianna took turns on the two tubes. I had Alaethia on my hip while I held on to one of the kiddos, while Jason and Mario took turns with the other. When I wasn’t holding onto one of the tubes I would dip Alaethia’s bootie into the water when a wave would come in. She HATED it at first but got used to it. The waves were really strong that day. I kept a vigilant eye on each of the kids. I’ve got to say that the beach and swimming pools are the areas I’m most paranoid in as a parent.
My arms were so sore from carrying Alaethia for about 2 straight hours. One of the times Mary went to get in the water she scooped Alaethia up and took her with her to the shade. Alaethia ended up falling asleep for a good while. She was worn out!
We put on another layer of sun block since we were all looking a bit lobsterish. We went back out to the water and I held onto the older kids while the waves splashed us while the guys played again. Eenan was freaking out because he found a little teeny crab.
Then Jason and Jaylen started looking for little clams. They had a whole net full of them (well, Jason did most of the scavenging really; Jaylen lost interest). Jason, Adan and Brianna left and the rest of us spent about 20 minutes working on sandcastles. Once I started getting really tired I told the kids that was it for me. I went and relaxed under the shade. The weather felt delicious; it was sunny, of course, but there was such a wonderful breeze. Add the shade of the huge umbrella and the sounds of the waves inhaling and exhaling — perfect recipe for a nap! I couldn’t relax at all though because Eenan and Jaylen were still playing in the sand and running back and forth for water for the moats and bridges of their sandcastles.
It was almost 4pm when we finally decided to call it a day. Mario, Mary, the boys and my mom started hauling stuff to the car while I stayed behind with Alaethia and disposed of trash I’d find around our area. I love the beach, but man, by the time you’re done playing you have sand in just about every crevice of your body. And no matter how much you try to brush it or water it off, it just gets worse!
Mary took the boys to wash up and change first and then Mom, Mary, Alaethia and I went to do the same. There was a huge line of people and a group of ladies ended up cutting in front of us. Grr! I have no idea why there aren’t any doors or shower curtains at the place, so we had to hold a towel up as best as possible so the others could shower. Poor Alaethia was having the fit of the century because she felt so gross. We got her done first, left her with Mario and then I went next so I could tend to Aly so Mario could go wash up.
We had lunch on the deck: sandwiches we’d packed up in our cooler. I must have been starving because that sandwich, chips, pickles and diet Dr. Pepper tasted like the best thing in the world!
We noticed a group of people was cooking on the dock, and that’s the #1 rule: no bar-b-q’ing or cooking on the deck. Mother, being a finger-pointer as always, told the attendant at the umbrella place when she was passing and a cop came over and scolded the family. How embarrassing.
When my kiddos were eating their Cheetos Puffs and Fruit Roll Ups, two little kids from that family were just staring my mine, so we gave them some (with the parent’s permission of course). They were so grateful that they sent us 3 tacos that they made. They were delicious. As I was taking a bite and Mom was taking one, too, I tell her, “You told on them and now you’re eating a taco…how do you feel?” and you’ll never guess what happened? I freaking choked on my food! I was talking and the next minute I was gasping for air. Mary looked at me and asks, “Are you okay?!” I shake my head and just as I’m praying to God to save me, I swallow down the lump of taco and take a deep breath! I shook for about an hour after that. I’d never choked in my life and it was the worst feeling ever. It was only seconds that I felt that way, but it felt like it was never going to end!! And of course Mom laughs and says, “That’s what you get!”
After we finished with lunch we went to a gift shop in Port Isabel. I didn’t find much; I didn’t really feel like buying shells with googley eyes or something pirate-y. I just got the kids something each and a shot glass for dad, whom we’d be visiting that evening.
Mary got us some ice cream (I felt fine afterwards, even though I didn’t check my sugar) and we paid and left. We were going to visit Dad right after that and of course Mother wanted to tag along. I don’t know why she insists on going: she’s always talking smack about him. But she went with us and Eenan decided to go home with Mary.
It was nice seeing Dad after, well, like 5 years. He last visited when Jaylen was born and we might have visited again after that but it was probably 5 years ago, too. We sat and chatted with Dad, catching up on things. He told us about how he gets bored and starts painting the house or fixing things. He’s still doing the same thing for a living, repairing TVs and electronics. I was amazed when he told us he even fixes Xboxes! This man has never had proper training for these more modern electronics and he’s good at everything he does. Much like Mario, I think they were programmed from birth to be good at these things.
Dad asked for pictures of the kids so Mario told him we’d print some out and take them to him later during the week. I was pretty pleased that Mario so willingly decided to take another long drive over there. Alaethia was pretty comfortable around Dad; she even called him Grampa a few times. Jaylen was doing just fine at first, but once he noticed we were taking a little too long (for his taste) and his DS was running out of juice he started throwing a fit. He didn’t even want to take pictures because he was “too tired”. I don’t know what to do with that boy.
I won’t even post the pictures because I looked so RED in them! I was barely getting over my sunburn from San Antonio and then I gave myself another one.
We got home pretty late that night and just relaxed. It felt so good to be home but we had an amazing day!
