the jolly oyster

let me take this opportunity to tell you guys something. though some of you may already know or have guessed by now. mr. cheek + i are vegetarians  (Ed. note: I never call myself that. I don't want to apply labels). and yes, that makes us better than you. OMG just kidding. but it is a big part of how we live our lives and also led to how we met (that story later)! we did the vegan thing for a few years until the boys came along. children have a way of reminding a person how much they love cheese!

*SIGH*

i make a silent vow to myself every new year that i will go vegan again. but for now, dairy + i have a steady relationship. that said, i never flirt with meat. never ever (at least not on purpose!). and this is where an interesting argument comes to play. it is heavily debated as to whether oysters are really animals since they are almost indistinguishable from plants and they do not have a central nervous system. thus, they probably (though one can never be sure!) experience zero pain. josh loves them so he will happily indulge sans guilt. i'm on the fence of this argument, but mainly because esthetically, they are still animals. even though they resemble a rock over bambi, i just can't. they are also slimy and gross  (Ed. note: she means 'slimy + delicious). so i just don't.

we still come together to enjoy the jolly oyster though! because even if you don't partake in the questionably politically correct delicacy of oysters, it's still a great time. just bring your own food if you're like me. AND BOOZE.

oh now i have your attention!

here's the deal: the jolly oyster is a shack located at the end of gorgeous ventura state beach. they only sell really cheap raw oysters, sometimes crab, and shucking knives because everyone forgets theirs. they also have a truck next door that sells baked oysters and other cooked seafood but we can't vouch for that. it's lush green fields are wide open and the shack and its many open picnic tables are only a sand dune away from the beautiful pacific ocean. plus, beer is totally allowed, proven by the two ventura county sheriff's deputies that were next to us ordering oysters. 

yes. it's BYOB.

YES!

for this trip we got a little dressed up because we were celebrating our good friend nancy's birthday! she also introduced us to the jolly oyster years ago. thanks nans and happy birthday! this post is dedicated to you, mmmmuuuah!

bottoms up!

the jolly oyster operates out of a shuck shack, which is technically not even a food truck since they are not allowed to cook or shuck the oysters they sell. the do-it-yourself esthetic is part of the fun though. it took josh a good 30-minutes to shuck his plate of kumamoto and pacific oysters, and you could see the satisfaction in his face once he finally sat down to get his grub on. it was really cute.

the boys were having none of it, obvis. so while josh ate, we played! max had a great time jumping off the bench. over and over and over. he does this at home, too. just FYI. as in FML. it's hella loud on hardwood floors let me tell you!

i also spent most of my day hovering over the boys while they frolicked through the flower beds. i mean literally. they frolicked.

leftovers.

this photo was taken in the restroom! they are HUGE and have skylights. pretty fancy for a state beach. the dudes were impressed to say the least. also hoping that watching us go you-know-what helps with potty training. it's not really working but well, we're trying?

with the birthday girl!

it was also incredibly windy!

hours later. still here. this place is just gorgeous. it rained the day before so everything felt especially fresh and clean.

eventually it was time to go home. until next time jolly oyster!

xoxo, hello sunshine!