…a special occasion  but yesterday was one of those perfect days.

It may have been one of those ‘ dog days of Summer’

and a three hour drive

and we may have spent the first hour on arrival looking for a parking spot for the big white bus

but we took a day trip to Manly beach

and we were so glad we did.

Sun, surf and our first taste of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream  at the only parlor in Australia.

The line might have been out the door and halfway down the main street

and they may have run out of cones

but it was an excuse for conversation, laughter and togetherness.

Ivy built sand castles and Noah learnt how to use a boogie board

while the big kids swam in the ocean.

It might have been very crowded, a bubbling sea of humanity

but the kids found it new and interesting.

We wandered the Corso and were wowed by the street entertainment.

We stopped and had Korean BBQ on the trip home and

maybe it cost more than we would have liked to have spent

but the food was delicious and the kids loved the experience

and I didn’t even mind when they started to sing ‘Sweet Caroline’ for the twentieth time (not one word, Mum)

because I felt so happy.

Ever had one of those days?