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Sunday, December 6, 2009

Sundays in Our City: Our Beach

When Paul and I were house-hunting, we wanted two things:

1) To buy a house---in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area---for less than $200,000 dollars.
2) For it not to be a shithole.

For those familiar with the real-estate market in 2004, this was no small task. 

Amazingly, we accomplished both of our goals. We found our little Cape Cod, with its green shutters and white siding. It looked like it was peeking through the trees with its dormer eyes. With three bedrooms, two baths, and a skylight in the upstairs bathroom, we had enough room for the (now deceased) dog and for the imaginary children of our future.

But, the kicker of the deal was when the Realtor said, "The community beach is about a ten minute walk away."

Sold.

This beach, on the Western edge of the Chesapeake Bay, is like opening a present, again, and again, and again. I'll forget that we live so close to the water until I drive by and see the sudden gasp of blue, or the lazy pulsing of a cargo ship, or the kite-like dance of the sailboats.

Owen and Joel have grown up by the shores of the Bay. It's a normal activity to hunt for shark's teeth and coral, or wade in the warm waters during the summer. Normal. As an Arizona desert kid, I went to the beach maybe fifteen times my entire childhood---and that's a generous number.

What lucky kids.


Here's my mother and Paul with Owen. He's about two weeks old, and it's early March.



He liked the beach more each time he visited.


See?

Now, it's his playground, another place to explore.



Joel likes the beach too, but this was the only picture I could dig up. I suppose that's the reality of having two children under the age of four that LOVE the water and exploring. I need to keep them from drowning while still drinking my coffee. And taking pictures of said coffee.

Thanks to Unknown Mami for her hosting of Sundays in my City, an opportunity to tour our world, one mouse click at a time!

Unknown Mami

24 comments:

Liz Mays said...

You are so lucky to have that at your back door! The kids look adorable out there. I love the rockiness of the east coast!

Formerly known as Frau said...

What a wonderful place to live! I have a friend that grew up go to the bay every summer and talks about her fond memories.Your boys are adorable.

Joanna Jenkins said...

You live in paradise!!!! What a gorgeous place to raise a family! Thanks for sharing your city.

xo

Mama-Face said...

You said it..."what lucky kids". I haven't lived near the ocean in 30 some years and I still yearn for it. (yes...I am ancient.)

:) love the photos.

Coby said...

I am so jealous. As a fellow desert-rat, water still fascinates me. Every time we drive over the Rio Grande to get to the east side of town I crane my neck to get a look at the muddy, shallow water. But YOU - you get to LIVE RIGHT BY THE BEACH!

Love the photos!

Is it too cold to swim in?

erika said...

I love the ocean in our backyard. I still have this distinct feeling when I walk on the beach that vacation will soon be over and we'll have to go home. Great pictures :)

Stephanie said...

What a beautiful spot! I am glad the spirits of house hunting were on your side.

adrienzgirl said...

I wish our beaches had rocks. We don't even have pebbles here in FL! Beautiful pictures!

Melani said...

Yes, beaches are wonderful! I live oh maybe 20-30 minutes from a decent beach and even farther from the better one with the shipwrecked in the sand that the kids get to play on. GOtta love California! :) Love your pics, they are so cute!

michelle said...

I love being close to a body of water, too. Kids and water. Good times.

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden said...

How wonderful to have a beach only a ten minute walk from home. I love being near water!

Sonya said...

I love Joel's glasses! When I clicked on the link to come here my oldest son said from across the room when he saw your banner that" Thats one cute happy kid!" and he's right..lol

I would LOVE to live that close to the beach..however you cant buy anything for under 200.000 The prices of living in the netherlands is so just so crazy...thats why we are going to buy in germany.

The pictures are great. Have a wonderful week!

4 Lettre Words said...

Love the pictures...and your list. Oh, remember how the real estate market used to be!?!

Unknown said...

That is absolutely LOVELY! I love the description of your home too. It sounds SO lovely! Perfect! Your babies are SO cute : )

Traci said...

I am too jealous for words. Your boys are so lucky. It is my life ambition to live at the beach.

You have such a beautiful family. I will definitely be back to follow your adventures.
:-)

Sarafree said...

That's is so great! I would love to be in walking distance to the beach. It's only an hour away, but still, can't beat 10 minutes.

Bekah said...

Lucky, lucky! Your boys will have some great memories!

Maude Lynn said...

It would be so cool to live near the beach!

I love the pictures.

SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB said...

you are indeed lucky to live so close to water. my husband grew up in sydney australia and was 10 mins from the ocean. now we live in ohio.

lake erie doesn't quite cut it

Tracie said...

What a lucky family you are! I would love to live so close the the water. It might help me de-stress......,

Unknown said...

what a difference in our sundays!
yours seems much nicer.

Corrie Howe said...

I love the beach too. Can't imagine not being close to one...been hear one most of my life.

Mel said...

Hi, I found you from Ms. Moon's page. I grew up across the Chesapeake, in the waters of Princess Anne, then inland to Federalsburg, my family is scattered between Laurel and Greenbackville, Berlin, Snow Hill and Baltimore, and my childhood is shaped by the bays and the ocean and the rivers and the lakes stained brown from the bald bypress, the migratory birds and the amazing sunsets. It is a magical thing to have the sights and sounds and smells of the Chesapeake in a child's world. Your boys are cutiepies! I'm glad I stumbled your way.

Claudya Martinez said...

That coffee looks gorgeous on the beach. It is beautiful where you live.