In keeping with her adventurous life, my friend Melina (who writes at The Wilder Coast and who wrote this guest post for me back in March) did one of her spontaneous road trips this past weekend. Thanks to an extra four hours she tagged on to her drive, she landed in our neck of the woods.
I had 24 hours to give her an accelerated tour, and I still have no idea how we managed to fit in what we did. It was like the one-day Naples Bucket List Adventure–parasailing over the gulf, zip-lining between hotel roofs, swimming with dolpins, photographing a midnight sea turtle hatching. Okay, we didn’t do any of those things. But equally exciting, we found a funky new coffee shop that not only offered the most amazing steamed bagel sandwiches, but roaming cats which puts it in the esteemed Key West category. Locals–The Tuckaway, Fort Myers Beach. Yer welcome.
I love the magnetic pull between out-of-towners and our beaches. And I love that each time we happened to casually stop by the beach, Melina couldn’t keep from going in. And none of this dainty little “I’m just going to get my feet wet” thing. Sister carpe-ed the diem out of that dip.
We showed Melina how to eat sand. Because we’re so good at it.
And the best part about sandy babies…the bath that follows.
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I’m over at All Parenting this weekend with Rescue Missions for Challenging Parenting Moments (like that one time my cousin hid from her kids–in the shower. With a box of chocolate Swiss Rolls).
It’s 68 degrees out right now. In Naples terms, basically that means it’s going to snow. With a sliver of daylight left and another hour of watching my kids play (wearing sweaters! Sweaters, I say!), I’m out.
An exciting partnership post coming tomorrow…and I’m bringing back the Friday post this week with a new feature that’s going to be fun to write. Y’all have a good night.
Lovelovelove the beach pics!!
i image it has been a lovely time! thank you for sharing 🙂
Oh how I wish it was 68 here. Chicago winter is upon us and has the hubby and I dreaming of warmer winters in Florida or Texas. We go through this every year!
I love that you are in sweaters at 68 degrees. We are also in sweaters, but the high was 28 and it snowed 2 days ago. Also loving those sweet, sweet Dash pictures.
Love how Latte sits on the floor beneath Nella’s feet…such devotion! Beautiful beaches, loving husband, gorgeous kids..what a life you have..so blessed!
I’m gullible. I was like, daaaang @ everything you guys did in one day. Then I’m all… ahh shit. Gullible.
-Angie
Oh, I do love that baby bubble beard!
Joolz xx
I see a beautiful sibling resemblance between Nella and Dash in these pictures (first time I’ve noticed it)!! Darling!
Oh my gosh, I love the last picture of Dash. Precious
really loved your all parenting piece!!
really.
that melina is bit of a dream. i like her.
looks like y’all had so much fun.
xoxoxo
okay. also. dash + ducky sudsy bath+ <3
Nothing like a picture of sandy baby toes, want to just kiss them! I hope that doesn’t seem weird!😉
So exciting! Ever since you posted about Melina a while ago been following her blog so got excited to see her today with you:) felt like both my favorite bloggers combined in 1 post:)!!
Lovely post! It is chilly over here tonight too. LOVE Dash’s bubble bath – that boy is a perfect mix of his darling sisters, but yet so uniquely him! He is beyond precious.
Here’s to hot chocolate & warm coffee.
Love from Texas,
Melissa
I was hoping Melina was going to visit you when I read on her blog that she was headed to Florida! I have been reading her blog since you “introduced” us.
I absolutely love your new header!! My goodness, it’s just the cutest thing EVER! And while I wish I was 1/2 as “fun,” and artsy, and creative as you are, I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. You are an inspiration! Keep on, keepin’ on, mama. It’s a tough job, huh?!… but you are doing fabulously! 🙂
your little man is a dreamboat! love his eyes! SO fun to spend time with out of town guests, play Tour Guide Barbie for a while. Looks like a fun place to visit 🙂
Just now saw the new header. LOVE IT! So cute!!!
LOVE that bath picture of Dash!! He is your mini-me for sure!
Oh my gooooooooodness! Those photos of Dash are THE cat’s meow. he is edible.
Sweater weather up in Iowa too. Although, sweater weather for us means a high of 28 and a few fingers that will probably fall off because I forgot my gloves, and I have recess duty. Ah well. Cutting down the Christmas tree Sunday which means, “tis the season!” 🙂 Happy “wintering” to you! 😉
Hi Kelle!
I still read your blog eveyday and love every moment!
I saw you walking out of the school this morning with Nella (we just moved to the north end of town), and it made me want to pop in and say hello! So, Hello!!
~ Sarah
That last picture of him in the bath is to die for!!
I wish it was 68 degrees up here. I’m excited it’s going to warm up to the 50s this weekend (but rain). It’s always interesting hearing of the different weather perspectives.
Kelle….
It sounds like you had fun and enjoyed each other’s company…. Despite never having accomplished parasailing over the gulf, zip-lining between hotel roofs, swimming with dolphins, or photographing a midnight sea turtle hatching!! 😉
–Raelyn
You got me with the bucket list. Even for you, that seemed crazy!
Love your new header and the beach pics! http://hello-zara.blogspot.com.au/
Wow! I was seriously JUST thinking about Melina this week, but I couldn’t remember her information (just that I had read her a little after Kelle introduced her) and I was thinking I should ask Kelle if she could remind me of her name and the name of her blog and then I get on here to catch up this week and there she is!!! We really are all connected with energy and when we tap into that positive connection that binds us all, it is breathtaking and beautiful and awe inspiring. Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!!
i’ve been over to her blog and ig…love her wild adventurous spirit. she seems uber cool.
who knew real live friendships could be formed in such a strange way. i’ve got so many long distance friends. if for no other reason, this made blogging worth the time investment:)
Ha, ha…..68 and sweaters…I love it! I do love a good autumn (ours stunk this year in WI, WAY. TOO. COLD.) and a touch of winter but I am SO jealous of nice weather all the time. We make the most out of it. My kids love playing in the snow, so in turn, I semi-love it too. It snowed (maybe an inch at most) last week and my kids were making snow angels! Snow angels….crazy. Thanks for sharing, your pictures are always so beautiful.
Oh, but never uninteresting I should add. Today we’ve had for weather: calm, windy-wind, tornado warnings, rain (sprinkling, down pouring), 60 degree weather and a full on (single) rainbow (all the way!). Just to the north of us had inch size hail. What’s not to love about WI weather I guess?
The beach photos are Incredible!!