"Let's always live here, Grandma."

     Shortly after I finished my blog last night, it began to rain.  Which was no big deal except that it was already about 99% humidity.  So we had the air conditioning on to cool things down for the Minnesota crowd.  Then, in the blink of an eye, the lights went out.  Blinked back on, then out.  We checked  outside and saw that the darkness was throughout the whole neighborhood.  We turned on flashlight apps on our phones and found house flashlights and candles.  Now it was both hot and dark.  We had to put the kids to bed in a totally dark, unfamiliar house, but they were troopers.  The lights, TVs, air conditioners- all came on a couple hours later.  Fortunately the sleep deprived kids didn't wake up.

    This morning was sunny and much calmer.  The kids gulped down their cereal and suited up for a beach walk, swim, snorkel.  The beach is raked each morning and so it is amazingly fine, clean white sand.  Perfect for building castles.  The pool is chilly, the ocean fairly warm.  Three hours later we dragged everyone inside for lunch.  

    After lunch the rain returned so we all relaxed on the covered patios.   Flocks of brown pelicans streak along just over the top of the waves looking for fish.  Dozens of dive boats wander back and forth along the edge of the reef.  On our side of the reef the waves are small, which makes it perfect for the kids.  We can see big rollers crashing against the far side of the reef.

    After a big nap Stella collected colorful leaves and flowers that were blown off in the rainstorm.  She gatherered them on a tray to "decorte our table.  The boys learned how to crawl into hammocks slung under the porch overhang and sprnt part of the afternoon reading.  

     The house has a huge supply of games and DVDs so we end our day playing Monopoly and Pictionary.  Carter just loves this house and thinks we should all just live here.  He loves the arches, and the roof top patio, the big table we can all sit around and the big bedroom he shares with his brother.  He loves to hang out with the whole family and see the ocean from all the windows.  On this lovely evening the wind is still quiet so we can hear the soft sound of the surf.  Perfct day 2.