For over a decade now Dave and I have annually closed the chapter on summer with a trip to the shore. We have continued the tradition with the kids and this year was the most memorable yet.
(It's so small in fact that it only warrants 1/2 an address.)
Sissy and I went down to start the week with girls-only time and it was precious.
Each day we were at the beach she would find something to quietly occupy her time as if she knew I needed some downtime because morning sickness makes it tough to be fully playful.
(Sissy threw a temper tantrum to wear these shoes right now so we rocked the
Cousin Minnie Pearl look since we had no scissors to remove the tags.)
and, of course, more trips to the beach.
(I taught Emerson how to bury her feet which kept her occupied for almost an hour.)
One of the highlights of being just the girls is one of us called it a night around 8:00 which meant I had no choice but to dim the lights, eat my single serving of Haagen Dazs peanut-butter-and-chocolate ice cream, catch up on magazines and watch Suits on my new ipad.
Once Daddy and Hunter arrived, the trip was filled with more activity, walks on the boardwalk, flying kites and exploring new dining spots.
(Ipad + Gabba gang = a quiet meal for Mommy and Daddy.)
As the week progressed it brought on chillier temperatures which meant layering up.
(Reading "Pinkalicious", a family favorite.)
(Sissy loved walking the suspension bridge over and over again.)
(You know he's playing hard when the tongue comes out.)
The playground took it to a whole new level when Hunter discovered he could practice his jumping.
(Boo ya!)
I smiled because I know that he'll always have fond memories of this place just as we do.
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We'll send you off with some of our final summer memories all of which I'd gladly do all over again.
(Copy/paste this link into a new window and listen while you look...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvUQcnfwUUM&feature=related)
1) Rhode Island with good, good friends.
3) Getting to spend time with my favorite non-British-British girl.
(Emerson wearing the outfit my Gamma made me.)
....and not being too old to have initial shaped pancakes made by my own Daddy.
15) Using things made by our own hands versus buying them.
(Our uber-amazing sitter Kathleen.)
16) Glitter crusted beaches perfect for practicing our words and letters.
(I know we'll never be poor here because, I am a grown woman still carrying a bit of that
9 year old girl inside and, I truly believe that these are really diamonds.)
(Carrying our word cards into the water because we can't bear to part with them.)
I couldn't help but smile. He is a happy boy who recognizes he has much to be grateful for and also knows, as his parents do, that he's still growing and learning.
Immediately after opening his eyes, Hunter looked outside and pointed saying, "look Mommy, yucky poopy trees!" Ah, the potty talk has begun.
I'm anxious for what else Fall will teach us.....
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie
