Off to the Beach, Part 1

The third week in July, we packed up (with less stuff than we had taken in the past four years!) and headed south and east to the beach! YAY! If we ever needed a vacation, it was this summer!





We had a pretty easy trip down and didn't hit a ton of traffic until very close to the shore. The kids were good travelers, but were very happy when we arrived! After a quick unloading of the car, we headed down to say HI to the ocean. And, silly Mommy should have KNOWN to put them in their suits. Wading. YEAH RIGHT.



After a change of clothes, we got some pizza and the kids hit the sheets. After I did this to their room...I'm so classy.


(WHY do all beach houses come with eastern facing windows with no coverings???)

Sunday kicked off a string of beautiful beach days. Waves, sand, running, icees. Perfection.


Gillian laid in the sand like this ALL week. Like a little lizard soaking up the sun and heat.






Lots of digging! A lot of it by Daddy!




But Daddy did get the occasional break.


The kiddos loved being in the water! It was too cold for ME! Thankfully Daddy, GraGra and Papa Greg are heartier than I am!






Zach and Kevin entertaining the troops!


There were LOTS of beach icees. LOTS.




Sunday night we had to hit the boardwalk for some ice cream and game playing. Colin HAD to win some "friends." HAD to. Like his little life depended on acquiring cheap pieces of fluff. Thankfully his Papa Greg was along to increase his chances of actually WINNING something.










The Monday of our vacation happened to be Daddy's birthday. So we celebrated. We started with donuts.




Daddy got a Birthday Nap.


The Lobster came for dinner.




Then we did a round of mini-golf. The Shell We Golf is beginning to show some wear...but we had fun anyway. Although Colin STILL insists that we played hockey.





Definitely a fun start to vacation! To be continued!

Splish, Splash, Mushroom

We were so lucky back in July to be invited to swim at the club with Rachel, John, and Rachel's Mom, Mrs. H. The kids were SO excited! They had spotted the mushroom fountain in the kid pool when we went for the Pre-4th of July party and couldn't wait to use it! Fortunately it was a HOT day! One of the few of the whole summer, so they were comfortable in the water. For HOURS. Literally! They stayed in so long that they wore the skin off the bottom of their toes!




Lunch break!


And now the mushroom is ON!


John has this pool thing down pat.


FUN FUN day! Thanks Rachel and Mrs. H!

A Loss of Control

Moving with two four year olds is an adventure. Especially two four year olds who are pretty much demanding of Mommy and Daddy's FULL attention at all times. They are pretty used to us doing mostly family centered things...so giving up adult attention so that said adults could PACK? Yeah, led to unhappy children and chaos.





No one was harmed in this exercise in self entertainment. Promise.

Girls' Night!

Waaaaaaaaayyyyy back in July, just after the 4th Colin was invited to a classmate's birthday party. At Chuck E. Cheese. The mama refuses to acknowledge the existence to Chuck E Cheese, so it fell to the Dada to accompany the boy. So, Gillian and I had a Girl's Night Out. Gillian is an adventurous eater. So I took advantage of that and we went for Greek/Middle Eastern. And she loved it. Pita, hummus, and olives make the girl HAPPY.


We also stopped for some top-your-own frozen yogurt. We had the place to ourselves (it was early), so G turned the place into her own private dance studio.


Very fun night now. We should repeat it soon...if only I could convince the Dada to go back to Chuck E Cheese.

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry that you have been neglected. We have had a fun, crazy, busy summer. It deserves to be documented. Moving houses took over July and August. BUT, now we are (semi) settled and I can give you the attention you deserve. Just be patient with me.

Love,
Your Family