Callaway Gardens

Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, opened their beach and farmer's market Friday so we went to check it out. We got there later in the afternoon, so we didn't have much time to explore the gardens, but since it's so close--a little over 30 miles from us--we'll be frequenting it this summer! The farmer's market was lovely, lots of produce and baked goods and more. We sampled some baked goodies like oreo balls and pumpkin brownies. Jason got some coffee from Blue Donkey Coffee stand--it was delicious!! We bought red potatoes, spinach, strawberries (James almost ate them all while we were walking through the market!), real Georgia grown peaches (that I've been dying for!), and some beautiful tomatoes of all colors. After the market we headed over to the beach. It stretches out all around Robin Lake and was just beautiful. The water was warm, the sun was hot, and we had a blast!

It took some warming up, but the kids inched their way into the water.

James asked if there was a pool when we were on our way there (there's not). I was afraid he wouldn't go near the lake since it's a beach setting, like the ocean was.

While Daddy and the boys played in the lake, I got some reading in. I started "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin this week. So far pretty good, but I'm feeling a little mixed. It's still early in the book though.

Jason came to lay out with me for a while.

They were psyching each other up to get in the water.

They did eventually venture out, and loved it! Riley kept going out too far and would lose his balance and fall face first. When Jason pulled him out he would throw a fit then head back out.

When my newly brave little fish, James got his courage up, I couldn't keep up with him! He kept going out too deep too, dipping his face in the water, kicking his feet and blowing bubbles.

Every time I called for him to come back in he would grin and say, "But I want to go too deep!"

After a while I put the book down and joined the boys in the water. The lake was warm and calm and the floor was soft ground compared to the grit of the ocean the week before.

Jason torpedoed Riley in and out of the water, splashing and laughing.

Riley got tired of the water before James did (as usual), so we snuggled up on our beach blanket with some juice and goldfish crackers.

We practically had to drag James out of the water, but the strawberries we'd just bought were a good bribe.

Our farmer's market goodies. Yum!

We drove away with a snoring backseat, golden and sandy.