By Georgia Osten
I feel like I’ve run a half-marathon this weekend. Well, everything but … We had volleyball, soccer and swimming. I guess that’s closer to a triathlon. The volleyball games began around 8:30 on Saturday morning. Our Addyson athlete, 11 years old, plays on a South Shores Team in Friendswood, 6-girl teams. She’s become a master at overhand serving, it’s the way they’ve been taught. Not just serving, but setting up the ball with their teammates to get it over into the opponents’ court – Find the Hole!

Michael’s morning soccer games were cancelled due to standing water from all the rain, but Dax’s games played on. Once all the games were over, Addyson and I headed off to Hobby Lobby. Shopping, after all, is our other favorite pastime.

We got over to The Littles’ house after the twins’ naps to gather their stuff for a sleep over at the beach. We got home to the beach house just in time to bundle everyone up for the Party at the Park. It was a fund raiser for Peninsula Sports Park. Pierce, Riggs and Fisher were not the only kids there, not by a long shot. We brought hot dogs and buns from the house, knowing they probably wouldn’t eat brisket and potato salad. But, they sure did like the chocolate cake!

We got them home for baths and some play time before beddie bye, PawPaw went back to take more pictures. I reluctantly put them to bed way after their bedtime. I was enjoying their company way too much to “put them away for the night.”

Next morning, Nana and the Littles loaded up to get back to Friendswood for swimming. Addyson broke her records on both Individual Medley and 50 yard Butterfly. IM was grueling, but she’s a sport. IM is 100 yards breast stroke, 100 yards back stroke, 100 yards butterfly and 100 yards free style. I was exhausted just watching. The boys went through their rigorous heats and then it was off to volleyball practice.

I headed back to Galveston to do my grocery shopping in my ol’ stomping grounds. I met up with my friend, Charlotte, when she got off work at the Cruise Ship. Charlotte is a whiz at decorating. She obliged to decorate the huge wreath I got for the Festival at the Park. Festival at the Park is a Christmas Market happening the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Charlotte is also going to make bows for the 9’ tree, the Crenshaw kids are making the decorations and we’ll put candy canes on the tree! Addyson picked out the star for the top of the tree.

Oh, it’s going to be beautiful, I can’t wait!

GO’s Sand Bucket is only one beach bum’s journal of life at the beach, probably something each of you can relate to. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts, visions and/or feelings of just exactly what the beach means to you. Email: [email protected]

[11-11-2019]