A Week at the Beach

I am on a role! I just thought I would knock all of this out at once so I don't forget. Well, last week was our annual girl's week at the beach. Every summer Jeff's mom, my sister-in-law, Laura and her two boys, Nolan and Carter and myself head to the beach for a week (Unfortunately Katie and Granmama weren't able to stay the week). The boys come on the weekend and we all have a great time! This year was a little different than last. Last year Henry slept everytime we tried to take him out on the beach, this year we couldn't get him to go to sleep! His FAVORITE things this week: push his dump truck up and down the beach (this is ALL he did- so you guessed it, all WE did was chase him), name all the things in the sky- balloon (what he called people parasailing) planes, and kites, climb in and out of holes, and find big shells to dig with. We swam in the pool a lot towards the end of the week and even made a trip to the bookstore and played on the indoor playground at the mall- which is always a hit! It was so nice to catch up with Laura and watch Henry interact with his cousins! Thank you Mimi for a great week at the beach! We look forward to next year!

By the way our floors looked great when we got home, and all the kids loved them today, and surprising enough they are still intact.

Happy Father's Day!

To the best dad we could ask for!! Henry is so fortunate to have Jeff as his Da! I love the way he lights up when Jeff comes home and how he climbs on the couch with him, just to be near him. He looks up to him in more ways than one, and I'm sure he always will...I know I do!

WE LOVE YOU, DA!

Happy Father's day to Dede and Pa, too! We love you!

Party and Swim Class

Right before we went to the beach for a week we were able to attend a birthday party for our sweet friend, Chloe. Chloe's family lives on the marsh and they had their backyard set up like a water park. Some of the slides were a little too big for Henry, but we had a great time! Happy 3rd Birthday!

Saturday morning right before the party, Henry had his first swim lesson! It is a water babies class. Henry did okay for his first time in the water. We had to dunk them to thier chins and make them practice floating on thier stomachs and backs. He was a little uncomfortable not being right up against me, but as we swam more in the pool while at the beach he became a lot more at ease. Hopefully he'll want to show off for buddies this Saturday at our next lesson!

The view from the backyard.



Henry's two favorite things at the party- balloons and a bubble machine! (I tied the balloon to his swimsuit so he wouldn't lose it.)

Beach Life

We are not missing, and nothing has happened to us. We have been at the beach all week in Surfside. We've had a lot of fun this week hanging out with Mimi, Aunt Laura, and cousins Carter and Nolan. Jeff got here yesterday and Dede, Uncle Rick, and Uncle Kell are coming today. We have gone back and forth to the beach everyday, sometimes twice a day all week. The pool just opened yesterday and we are enjoying that too! I can't download pictures yet, but I will as soon as I get home.

Jeff has been taking care of the house all week, and I'm sure has been very lonely without us there. While we've been away we had our floors redone and Jeff has been organizing and cleaning away, or so he says!

Beach life is great, and it has been nice to have a vacation, but it will be great to get home after the weekend.

Pics of everything to come!

My favorite things to do at the beach...

build sand castles with Da

hang out with Ma

be chased

jump waves

eat watermelon

share watermelon

and did I mention EAT WATERMELON

Couch Potato

Henry's new trick this week was to climb up on the couch on his own. No, this was not coaxed by me. He randomly appeared up there on his own. Now, he loves to climb the couch, the recliner, and the kitchen chairs. He tries really hard to get in his booster seat/high chair but can't quite make it up yet. I thought all of this climbing was really funny at first, until I realized I had to watch two other kids while he climbs the furniture...Needless to say we are working on teaching him he needs to sit on his bottom in chairs. Not quite getting it yet...

So innocent

Not so innocent

Summer Fun

I have a lot to catch up on and no energy to be detailed so I'm going to try and make this more pictures than words. I know everyone likes that better anyways!




Enjoying Island Playground on a rainy day!




Linen Shower hosted by me, Laura my sister-in-law, and Jennifer, Jeff's cousin for Katie my soon to be new sister-in-law! Henry went to the zoo this day with my parents and Leslie. He had a great time seeing all the animals and riding the carosel. Hope to post pictures later.




A short visit with my BFF Heather and her parents! So good to see them!





Sprinkler fun with Mary Kate! Thanks Mimi for the Elmo Sprinkler Mat, It is a big hit!