Cannoli, Records, Sand, and Pizza

After our dance party this morning, Levi got home from working a 24-hour (plus) shift.  We got ready and visited Mazarro's Italian Market and Banana Records before going to the beach.  Then we came home and Mandy made the most amazing homemade pizza.  She is such a gifted homemaker - an excellent cook and decorator!  We had a wonderful day.

Planning for the day with a little monkey on my back!

At Mazarro's - YUM!

Cheese counter - with a buffalo for DAD!

CHEESE! (And wine. Lots of it.)

Beckett was very curious.

More cheese!  And a tie dye cow.  MOOO-Man!

It is such a beautiful market - everything is authentic and fresh, and the atmosphere is so genuinely Italian, with a different counter for meats, cheeses, pastas, breads, desserts, wines, olives, coffees - and everything is freshly made in the store. I guess it is owned by a couple in their 70s who still work 7+ hour days because they love it so much.  It was packed at 10:30 on a Tuesday, and Mandy said on the weekends, it's insane.  I can see why!

The meat counter.

The fresh pastas - they were like pieces of art. 

Outside, Beckett found the tie dye cow's older brother. MOOOOO-Dude.

And a large alligator.

To whom he promptly introduced his hand.

I think we need to talk to Beckett about Florida saftely.  Shonn?

Riding the alligator with Grammy.

YUM!  Some kind of delicious morsel was being sampled after lunch.  Oh yeah - for lunch, you order whatever you want and they make it for you.  We split the sandwich of the day (chicken, goat cheese, sundried tomaotes on chibatti), a Hot Italian sandwich (lots of meat, pepperocinis, and cheese), lasagna, and a tuna wasabi sandwich. (Decidedly un-Italian.)  We also ordered lots of desserts and I got a box of sweets to take home to my sweetie. :)  I miss him so much and wish he were here with us. :(

TICKLE BUG!

After our lunch and desserts, it was across the street to Banana Records, which is The. Largest. Record. Store. In. The. WORLD!  The guy at the counter loved Beckett's shirt (selected with care by Uncle Levi) and invited him to help ring customers when Beckett tried to explore his office behind the counter. :)  Anyone ever take a toddler to a record store?  It was an adventure! :) 

Beckett likes Otis Redding.

And whatever is at the end of the aisle.  Any aisle, actually. :)  HEE HEE! (He was giggling the whole time!)

LOVE his face!

He thinks it's funny when I sing in weird voices.  Even Pat Benatar!

What a sweet face. He's simultaneously thanking God for such a great day...

...and pointing at this fish.

 We talked a lot about what to do next, and then decided to go the beach.  On the way, Uncle Levi had to stop at the Dollar Store to get Beckett some beach toys, including bubbles, buckets, rakes, a water shooter, and a beach ball.

We wasted no time getting to the bubbles.

This is Treasure Island Beach, where we stayed for Mandy and Levi's wedding.  Mandy (completely covered in the back right of the photo) wasn't too enthusiastic about our return to the beach. :)

But Beckett was very happy she brought him back!  We had such a great time at this beach when we came down as a family (me, Shonn, and Beckett) - it is really a nice beach, but much warmer at this time of year than in early March!

Isn't it beautiful?  We picked John Deere green for Daddy!

Talk to the hand - I'm so done with that sand castle!

I love this pic - he's such a little boy!

There's his darling ornery smile.

Aunt Mandy is totally avoiding sunburn.

Grammy is totally seeking sunburn.

Fun with the camera... And teaching Beckett to "sit down, please!"

HEE HEE - Okay!

He loves this chair.

We enjoyed the waves while Grammy and Uncle Levi talked.  Mandy assumed the role of paparrazi while avoiding sunburn. (See previous.)

Picking out some special shells for Daddy.

Thanks, Uncle Levi!

 Then we were on our way home, where Mandy prepared a delicious pizza feast while I gave Beckett a much-needed bath.  (Sand in the scalp. And everywhere else!)

Homemade dough, olive oil with garlic, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, onions, turkey sausage, kalamata olives.  YUM! (And healthy!)

Dessert from Mazarro's - Left to Right: Coconut Cake, Lemon Poppyseed Roll, and Brownie Dreamsicle.  YUM! (And not healthy!)

A beautiful table.  The pizza didn't last long. :)

Fantastic day! I just wish Shonn could have been here, too!  We are so thankful for all of the hard work he is doing while we are gone, and Beckett and I are both excited to see him SOON!  We leave early tomorrow - it has been a fast trip in many ways, but really good time with my sister and my mom.  It's wonderful to see my sister so happy again.  I love her and Levi.