Haven and Mira Turn Two: Beach Party!

For someone who loves a good party, I'm not very good at planning them. So when it dawned on me that the twins were turning two in less than 48 hours and we had nothing planned (will I ever learn?), I scrambled to get something together. While, on the one hand, they were only turning two and really didn't know what all the fuss was about, on the other hand, they were turning two and a little party was in order. So, as one does when you live on the water, we hit the beach. One advantage of island life is the fact people aren't so over-scheduled and busy that finding attendants for a last minute, thrown together party isn't really a problem. Another factor in our favor was that their birthday fell on a Sunday, so most people had the day off and our neighborhood friends weren't in school. And finally, having the beach bar available to make drinks for the adults and pizzas for the kiddos didn't hurt. My parents had brought down the presents we ordered, and my dad had stocked up on birthday horns, hats and decor, so all we really needed was a venue and some guests. I sent out a few messages, grabbed some cake mixes and frosting and we called it a party. A party it was!

But before I delve into the festivities...a word on my twinkles. I cannot believe they are two. It seems only yesterday we had their first birthday party in St. John, and not that much longer before that we got the news that I was cooking two in my womb while in Grenada. Haven and Mira have been my greatest challenge to date, and as with all great challenges, have bestowed upon me the greatest lessons and rewards. Being a mom to twins has changed me in a million ways, but more than anything I am blown away by the love I have for these little fish and the immense amount of joy they bring me. I never thought it would be possible to love two little people - born minutes apart, yet polar opposites - equally (I mean, surely there must be a favorite, right?) But, no. My absolute adoration of each of them knows no bounds. They are also an interesting lesson in genetics as they share not a single feature down to their fingernail beds... But it's their spirits and personalities - also very different yet equally enticing - that have captivated me as of late...It's why I love toddlers so very much; this hyper awareness that these tiny people actually have their own minds, thoughts and desires and - despite what science might tell you - a lot of it is hard wired! Their curiosity, the way they look at the world, how joyful they are at the simplest things, watching their brains soak up the world around them like sponges...it's incredible. Being a mom to our three girls is my life's greatest joy. Sorry to get all mushy, but it really is.

Haven has developed into the feistiest little cutie you have ever seen, not that it's much of a surprise since she's been hell on wheels since day one. She is incredibly strong - in both will and body - and parenting her spirit has taken some adjusting. But as demanding as she can be, she is the easiest to make smile, her laugh is infectious and she will almost never say no to a big hug and kiss. Her little light shines so bright and, when she is happy, she is joy personified. She is so excited about everything and knows no fear. She is mischievous and precocious and so much fun. Her exuberance and energy are unmatched, and she is pure beauty and magic. Mira, more mellow and pensive, is equally as spirited, but in a more understated way. Incredibly pensive and bright, she flies under the radar. Everyone who meets her comments on how thoughtful she is, and how they can just see the wheels turning behind her gorgeous eyes. Her beautiful little face has a thousand expressions and every single day she shows me more sweetness and truth behind her complexity. She is a lover, and when she trusts you, you will be privy to the greatest cuddles you have ever gotten. Oftentimes when we are on the boat, Isla and Haven will be playing with their toys, while Mira and I lay on the settee, just snuggling away. She melts my heart a million times a day.

These two little creatures could not be more different, and yet - I love them equally. Each day I think I love them more, which seems impossible. People ask me all the time how I stay at home with them day in and day out, encourage me to get a nanny, to send them to daycare so I can get a break...and while I do have my bad days, and while I do long for more time to do the things I want (I am researching ways to get "me" breaks), I truly cherish this time with my girls. I love that we are a tight little family tribe and I adore watching the bond between them - three different dynamics in all - flourish. "It's only a short window of time that they are this young" I remind people. "This will go by in the blink of an eye." So, for now, I dedicate most of my hours and most of myself to them. And it's my pleasure.

Anyway...

I took a ton of pictures on their birthday (I treated myself to a new lens - 24mm pancake lens - and tried it out on this special day) and so I will let those tell the story....

Grandpa came over with Grandma bright and early with round one of birthday hats! Having them here was so special.

Haven was very excited by the dump trucks we got her to play with at the beach!

We all had breakfast at our favorite place, Gennekers, at Nanny Cay.

Claire - one of our fave waitresses - even treated the girls to cupcakes! But not until each one gave her a kiss!

After breakfast we took a hike up to Sage Mountain with my parents. More on this in another post! It was beautiful.

During naptime, I made cupcakes and cake, and Scott and our neighborhood friends decorated!

Look at all these sweet monkeys! They *really* enjoyed the leftover icing!!

These two sweeties made this awesome sign/card for the girls, which now stays in their room.

Each twin got her own Melissa & Doug sand baking set (believe me, getting two is much better than one when it comes to twins!)

Isla, of course, helped both of them open their present!

Our sweet boat kid neighbor made this awesome, healthy snack to bring to the party.

The party in full swing. It was laid back, casual, and pretty perfect if you ask me!

Mira was particularly adorable on this day. We LOVE our sport wagon , btw!

Despite getting her own sand toys for her birthday, Haven opted to play with those another kid brought. Typical.

Pizza party on the beach. What could be better?

Our sweet friend, Albertine (I met her and her lovely husband doing laundry one night), loving up little Mira.

My dad did all the decorating, how sweet was that? The theme (if you can call it that) was My Little Pony.

Adults and kiddos having fun.

The staff of the beach bar have all become like family to us, this is our buddy, Garth, slinging drinks for the party.

Isla and the newest neighborhood kid playing away. These two are pretty darn cute together!

Haven and her million dollar smile. This kid can turn on the charm like none other!

Daddy and Isla having a chat on the swings.

Every now and then someone notices that I am taking all the pics and snaps one of me. My beautiful friend and I!

The girls had SO much fun with their new Hello Kitty beach ball!

Having doing her best "monkey hug" on Grandpa.

These two together...sigh...it's amazing. The twin bond is really something. (when they are not fighting, of course!)

Face full of sand, dirt and cake. Life is good!

Wait..there's more cake? Time to sing!

The girls were excited for this part, but weren't really sure what it was all about. 

This, however, she is VERY sure about. Haven speaks fluent "cupcake". I think she had five on this day!

A little twin moment. Would love to know what they are saying to each other!

More cupcakes...well, why not!!

This cake turned more into a smash cake than anything.

Are you counting the cupcakes?!?

Haven trying to explain that, no, she will not share her cupcake with our good friend, Kevin.

The end of the night came fast and we had to get the cuties home, bathed and in bed. One final picture with her adoring grandma. A great day had by all!

Why We Chose to Live in the British Virgin Islands

"I could see us living here." I muttered those six words to Scott in a wistful haze while driving along the main road here, which might just be one of the most scenic roads in the British Virgin Islands. As we rambled along the waterside with the windows down; warm breeze in our hair and hot sun on our faces, I gazed out at the cyan horizon, dreamy islands dotting my periphery, and imagined what it might be like to call this place "home". All my life I have wanted to live on a island - and in my travels I have always gravitated towards small, expat communities in rustic towns; islands in their own right...I can't put my finger on why this is - but I know that I find comfort in cultural diversity, eccentric characters, flexible rules and tight-knit community. This was in 2013 and Scott and I had been up and down the windward and leeward island chain twice before this particular stopover, visiting almost all islands in between, but for the first time since we left in 2010 I got a hankering that putting down some roots might be a good idea. It was the first place that felt kind of like home.

Cruising as a lifestyle was wonderful in many ways (ways which are well documented on this blog), but there were elements of it that were draining on us. For one, money was becoming an issue. Being a gypsy is wonderful for the soul, but tough on the pocketbook. Then there was the anxiety of always being at the mercy of mother nature, a stress that was a very regular and daily thing. Maintaining our boat - particularly with a baby on board - was proving difficult to stay on top of...and, finally, sailing had become more of a chore - a means to get from one place to another - than a pleasure. Then again, there were so many elements that we still loved about the cruising lifestyle; island culture, being at anchor, the constant ebb and flow of new and interesting people in our lives, a strong sense of community and belonging, and a feeling of living more simply while getting back to nature... We weren't ready to give it up and "swallow the anchor" as it were, but we needed a change. For these reasons (and others) we decided to call the British Virgin Islands home.

But why *these* particular islands? Well, finding a 'home' is as subjective as finding a mate, but here's why we chose it:

1) They are (almost) perfectly located. First and foremost, this body of water is very protected. We don't need to worry about wind and waves nearly as much as we have had to in other places. Then there is the fact that we can cruise to any number of islands and drop our anchor in a host of beautiful bays in a matter of hours. Here in the British Virgin Islands (BVI's), there are four main islands (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke) to explore, but aside from those - there are fifty other tiny islands that make up this chain. Not to mention that the US Virgin Islands and the Spanish Virgin Islands - all amazing in their own right - are a simple day sail away. I say they are "almost" perfect because, as with all things, their convenience comes at a price - and that price is the fact that we lie smack-dab in the middle of the hurricane belt. Not a big issue for vacationers, but considering we now own three boats here - it's something that adds a little yin to the yang.

2) Best sailing ever. There's a reason thousands upon thousands of people flock here every year to come and sail. This place offers some of the best sailing on the planet, with consistent strong trade winds and a body of water that is protected from large waves and ocean swell, and it is awesome. You can sail for the sake of sailing here, and no matter what direction the wind is blowing - there is always somewhere beautiful to go and drop anchor. Aside from that, there's a pretty healthy racing community - from lasers to mega yachts - and there's no shortage of cruiser raft ups and regattas to get your fix. Living on a boat here is a real bonus - when we get a few days off in a row, we can move house and enjoy life on the hook for a few days.

3) Great industry. Wherever we settled, we knew we needed to work and we wanted to be in a place rife with opportunity. The fact that Scott is a USCG licensed Captain combined with the fact that the BVI's are home to one of the most bustling charter industries in the world made this a no-brainer. Then, opportunity knocked in the form of a business for sale...Scott and I took an incredible risk and decided to go for it - and the rest is history. Our day charter business was run by great people before us, and - touch wood - we have taken the torch and even kicked it up a notch. We are currently the #1 Day Sail company in the BVI's! Scott's been working like a dog (18 hour days, no joke) but in a year or so we hope to have streamlined our systems so that the work/life balance is more realistic.

4)Developed, but too developed. You can get a great steak here, find a solid five star hotel, get pampered at a top tier spa, see a concert, and get the latest Roxy bikini...but you still feel like you're living on a sleepy island You will not see a single big box store on these roads, no fast food restaurant chains spoil our street views, and - despite the fact that this is a very popular tourist destination and giant cruise ships come into port daily - the BVI's manage to maintain a very authentic, very laid back island vibe. I love that I can go to a surf shop and supplement my wardrobe, but then head up to town and get bbq chicken out of bus on the side of the road. While it is illegal to talk on the phone while driving here, it's perfectly legal to have a beer. Only in the islands does this make perfect sense and, truth be told, I love it. We live life in the slow lane here, the vibe is much more relaxed than back at home, which I think is a good thing. Island time.

5) They don't make it easy to live and work here. So this is kind of a blessing and a curse, but - for us - more of a blessing. The BVI's really run you through the ringer if you plan to live and work here. The amount of paperwork, bureaucracy, interviews and patience you need to get through it all is INCREDIBLE. Our saving grace was the fact that we bought an existing business and (we are told) that made our process slightly easier. If you want to start a business from scratch here? Even harder (and riskier). But if you are patient and mental enough to deal with the difficulties of getting to the finish line - it's pretty sweet. For example, our day charter company is one of three on this island. Three! Competition is there, which is great, but the market is not over-saturated so everyone gets a piece of the pie here. At least it feels that way.

6) So. Many. Families. Children are everywhere! Local kids, expat kids and tourists alike! And where there are children, there are schools, daycares and activity centers. Don't get me wrong, they might not be the type you are used to in the United States or Europe (remember, we are still living on an 'authentic' island here), but either way, there's no shortage of play groups, parks and kiddos for our girls to enjoy. It's lovely and great to be a part of an island community that is so family-centric and while there might not be *as* many organized groups and play areas as there are back stateside, there's no shortage of sand, water and sun - and what more could a child want than that?

7) Good school options. This sort of goes hand in had with #6, but being that we have relocated here for the next five years or more, good schools were something we had to consider. There are several options for private schooling - a Montessori School and an International School - which is what we are leaning towards for our girls. Of course these two options come at a pretty steep price, but we feel that when it comes to laying the foundation for our girls' educations, we need to consider it. While many are curious about home-schooling, I have decided that is not for me at this juncture. If Scott and I were still cruising and if I had another full-time parent with me to give me the mental breaks I need (and want!) then it would be a different story. But as it stands right now, I am a solo parent almost every single day from dawn to dusk and I have my own passions and projects I'd like to pursue right now. So off to school they will go.

8) It's truly paradise. This past summer while on a short break to Big Sur, California (put it on the bucket list if you've never been!) I had a sort of epiphany and determined that living in a visually spectacular place was essential for my well being. I feel most alive, inspired and grateful in habitats where the world fans it's peacock feathers full tilt - and this place is one of them. These islands are some of the most beautiful we have ever been to. The water, the flora, the anchorages, the ridge roads, the beaches, the sleepy villages...it's lovely. Yes, it can be a little crowded from time to time with cruise ship patrons and charter guests, but I have found that I love the buzz and excitement created by the tourists...these folks act as a constant reminder of why I am so lucky to live here and help me to live in the present. Not to mention the fact that once you know your way around, there are plenty of places to retreat here if you want to get off the beaten path. The snorkeling, the diving, the sea life and the beaches - they are all magnificent. Every day I am inspired, every day I am grateful, every day I breath in the beauty with my eyes, heart and spirit and I love it. Will it get old? Possibly. But I doubt it.

9) The Nanny Cay Marina. Okay, we haven't been to every marina in the Caribbean, but we've been to a lot of them and - let me tell you - this one is THE BEST. I honestly don't think we would have chosen to settle here if not for this marina, because it is pretty much the perfect place to live-aboard with kids. I could go on and on why I love it here so much, but first and foremost, it's a one stop shop and offers everything you need: boat yard, grocery store, two restaurants, a couple surf shops, dive shop, proper coffee shop, yacht chandlery, electronics store, a killer beach bar and more! You really don't have to leave to cover all your bases and for that reason, many of us who live here refer to it as "the compound" or "the village". As if that's not enough, there's a beautiful pool and a great little beach where our girls love to play. There is a resort on site so we get a nice mix of locals and tourists passing through, and this place is also home to Horizon Yacht Charters, one of the premier term charter companies on island. All of that is fantastic, no doubt...but the number one reason I love it so much here is the sense of community. This is not only a transient marina, but a place where people live year-round, and there's always a great buzz and 'village mentality' here. We cannot walk ten feet here without greeting someone we know. Our girls run the docks, giving fist bumps and hugs to all the employees; they belly up to the beach bar and ask for juice from their favorite bartender, Deborah, and they are adored by many. It's wonderful. I could probably write a whole blog post on this place but I'll leave it at that for now. It's awesome. I love it.

***

So there you have it. Our reasons for settling here in the BVI and, so far, we have zero regrets. It's still early of course, but we truly love our adopted home. Our "plan" is to live here for another five to seven years, and by then we hope to have enough money in the bank in order to sustain more long-term, far-flung sailing (oh, yes, we're not done with cruising!) Our girls will be around ten and eight by then, which we think would be great ages to take them exploring further afield...then again, that's a long ways away so at the moment, we live, we work, and we enjoy. Life is good!

Daily Life in the Islands: Finding our Groove

The dust of "newness" is settling and we're falling into a nice little routine here at Nanny Cay. But we were not without our hurdles...After Haven fell ill with hand foot and mouth, Mira got a double ear infection and (what I am guessing) an upper respiratory infection as well. Sleepless nights followed long days and it was a pretty tough couple of weeks, particularly because I was on my own almost entirely. Being boat-bound and in quarantine was a real challenge for all of us. We used the opportunity to get crafty and make Christmas decorations for our boat and get into the holiday spirit. As fun as those crafts were, my girls are 'outside' kids and the sunshine was calling. After a good two weeks, it seemed that all our illnesses had run their courses and we were able to venture back out into the world. I'm hoping we caught most of the 'big stuff' that Tortola has to offer and that health will reign for a few months. Being a stay-on-boat mom to three little ones is hard work, and it's a lot harder when they're sick, tired and cranky.

With Scott gone almost every single day from 7:00am to 7:00pm at work, I roll solo with the girls most of the day. Luckily, we have chosen to live in a place where there is plenty for them to do right outside our companionway and, let me tell you, it is SUCH a blessing. There's a beach, park and pool all within a five minute walk from our boat. There are loads of kids around, from locals, to expats, to visitors - so our girls have plenty of playmates to socialize with. It's really a perfect place for little ones because not only does it feel a bit like the 'good old days' with kids running wild and free, this community very much adopts the "village" mentality and keeps an eye on one another. Every day I am grateful to be here.

So what do our days look like? Mornings are usually spent at the beach, where no matter what our girls always find hours of entertainment and new friends. Afterwards, we return to the boat for a rinse down, lunch, and naps and then in the afternoon we hit the pool which is very conveniently located right next to the beach bar. It's like the Caribbean Cheers. I love it and, yes, I also love my afternoon cocktails which very much "take the edge off". Sure, our days are pretty predictable and we follow a sort of routine, but when it comes to begin outnumbered three-to-one by little ones, I find it absolutely necessary. At least once a day I am stopped by someone wondering how the heck I am doing this on the boat and I tell them three things: "Snacks, naps and cocktails!" No joke, without those three things I would be in a padded cell.

Before we came down I treated myself to an early Christmas present with some of the money I have made on this blog, and sprang for a fancy new camera. I am now the (very) proud owner of a Canon EOS Rebel T5 Digital SLR Camera and some amazing lenses (50mm and Wide Angle lenses are the winners!) - I still have a lot to learn on the photography front, but holy heck I wish I would have invested in a proper camera years ago! This thing is so much fun and I just love the photos I am getting with it. I know they say that it's not about the camera but the photographer, but I'm going to go ahead and say that, yes, a camera (and specifically lenses) make a humongous difference in the quality of photos. I love my new toy!

Anyway, here's a little glimpse into our life as it looks these days. I'm with our girls all day, every day. We're outside in the sunshine, barefoot and fancy-free. We are surrounded by a wonderful community of friends, new and old. I really couldn't ask for anything more.

During quarantine we made a lot of Christmas crafts from trees to ornaments to reindeer!

They still love this little tub! This is where we rinse/bath every day after the beach and pool.

This is our back yard. Does it get any better than this? I don't think so. We love ourPacific Breeze Beach Tent .

We still always love to play on the deck of our boat. Our home is our very own jungle gym, and these kids are monkey's!

Playing nicely together with our Spielstabil sand toys by HABA, USA

My little Gerber baby. Don't let her innocent looks fool you, this girl is Denis the Menace in female form!

Both of the twins (who happen to be Pisces) are total fish. They LOVE the water.

We make a lot of "potion" in our buckets, throwing all sorts of shells, sand and water together.

Every day we are treated to spectacular views. Living in such beauty is truly inspiring.

Sandy toes...and nose...and everything else! Little Mira was still getting over her cold here.

They are so happy on the beach.

New friends and make-believe games.

Beach Jenga with our new friends, Landon and Micheal.

Combed beach.

Every night an amazing sunset with island ridge lines in the distance.