July 4th - Alexandria Bay - Day 1

If you know me, you'd know that one of my absolute favorite things to do is be on a boat. I love being on the water and my kids love being on the water.

For the last few years, we've gone on a summer vacation with a few friends of ours. Last year we took a hiatus because Steve ruined it for everyone (Jen - look! I'm talking shit about my husband! OMG! TROLL). 

But this year we were invited again. Me and the girls spent 4 glorious days on the St. Lawrence River and it was amazing. Just like it was 2 years ago before my life fell apart. 

After getting home from Hawaii, this was the next thing I was super excited about. Another condo right on the water and right in the middle of Alexandria Bay. Close enough that we could walk to town. The same condo building, just the other side. 

I was in charge of snacks.

Feeding 13 people is a big deal. Out of the 8 kids between our 3 families, there are SIX boys. Ranging from 9 (10 this year) to 15. They eat A LOT. 

All the candy. 

The girls and I packed up and headed out the door pretty early Thursday morning. I wanted to make sure we got up there in time so no one had to wait for us to go on the boat. That's one thing I know about boating. When the captain says "10am" it means IN THE WATER READY TO GO. 

The drive is about 2.5 hours and I was expecting a lot of traffic and it was not bad at all. I got there with no issues. 

Once we got up there, those 8 kids went to work to put everything away. It probably took less than 10 minutes. 

Then we got on the boat. My favorite part. 

This view 💖

Andy and his boy, Jake

Emmy and her boy, Jake

Potter's Beach. Such a nice boat ride to get there. There's rocks to jump off of, a beach, lots of fun stuff for the kids to do. 

The two big boys, Jake and Kenny. While we're anchored everyone took turns taking the JetSkis out.

There was a new Boba place in town! So grateful for places that have stuff my girls can eat.

I got new Birks! And I'm SO SORRY about my feet. Ugh.

Looking so old these days...

There is nothing like seeing fireworks this close. They set them off at Boldt Castle and they go off literally right above our heads. So many boats in the water in the dark makes me SO nervous. But, what a fucking view. 

The fireworks show didn't START until 9:45. All us old people had to nap beforehand, lol.

What a great first day.

Tomorrow we head to Clayton for cheese curds. 

Summer Dayz

Even though life sucks mostly for me these days...I am trying so hard to make sure my girls are making fun memories. I don't want them looking back and remembering that I was miserable, sad, and didn't want to do things with them. 

Yes, I realize that I'm faking it a lot of the times...but there are the real times sprinkled throughout too. I'll do what I have to do to plaster a smile on my face for my kids. 

That being said, we have had a great summer so far. 

Spending time with friends on the water is my favorite thing to do. Being with my friends means so much right now, because I feel like it's all I have. 

But they don't want to hang with me as much, because who wants to hang out with the girl who has so much drama going on all the time. Who wants to be triggered by my mere presence of what my husband did. I mean, this is just my assumption. They still invite me out. I'm not as "hey let's hang out" as I was before either. 

Anyway. Regardless of all that, I'm trying to do things that are important for me. My therapist (more on that later) says that right now my focus is ME. Not my family, not even the girls (although they are a very, very close second), but ME. If I'm not ok, no one will be ok.

Boating, pool days, lazy days, summer camp. 

I miss summer as a kid, man. I hope my kids are enjoying it!

Tubing Fun

This is our 3rd summer with our little boat and the first time we've tubed with it. We've enjoyed tubing with friends and their boats and jetskis, but not on our own boat.

So I bought the girls a towable and it's been amazingly fun ever since. 

These girls have no fear and it's hilarious. They love getting knocked off! I'm always a little nervous, but they definitely don't seem to be worried lol. 

Grateful to be able to bring the girls' friends with us!

Now we just need a bigger boat :)

Boat Life is The Best Life

We took the boat out the other day. 

The first time out is always exciting. 

Albeit this year looks different because things are just different.

But the girls wanted to go out and try tubing! They've done it before with friends, but we haven't done it with our boat. 

I got the boat all cleaned up and ready.

I was sweating my ass off trying to get the interior cleaned. 

We launched without issue. Success! 

My favorite view

The water was SO clear. And FREEZING.

my favorite place is on the water

Those smiles

Here's to many more boat days.