Refreshed Spirits

Yesterday evening was one of my favorites ever.  

We're on vacation...

I just had the two younger boys for a little bit while Shane took Silas and Lieren to get on a paddle boat...

Simeon realizing he really did want to ride the paddle boat...

Switch...

Boat ride over; the kids swam and played in the sand...

Silas constructed a wading pool...

Simeon and Lieren raced each other to shore, playing they were Chick Hicks and the King (both of whom once in a while broke down, apparently, and needed the other to help them up on to the sand)...

We played until the sun went down...

Blaise made a friend at the ice cream shop behind us.  Sim and Lieren closed the evening out playing Jake and Izzie from Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  They swam along the shore collecting rocks (their gold doubloons) and looking for Pea Pod Pass.  And they called Blaise, Cubby.  Silas swam as far out as we would let him, and all the kids waved to the evening cruise boat as it pulled away.

I have been praying for refreshed spirits this week.  While vacationing with our family is not always relaxing, always demands a plan, and doesn't leave the parenting behind, I can honestly say it has been refreshing.  And we are getting rest.  And the memories are sweet.