Our Summer So Far: Part One

Since I've been so remiss on posting this summer, I'll skip February through April happenings and just pick up with what we've been up to this summer. It's the only way I will be able to resume posting, so here goes.....

Mason took an interest in big boy underwear.  This "extreme" potty training was short-lived after we had to do quite a bit of laundry.  He kind of forgot about the special underwear.  But he has been using the potty every single night before bedtime for months, and that is huge!  No more wet sheets in the morning!  He's on his way, but we are not there yet. 

Here, he models the very first pair of big boy underwear with his Spongebob  Squarepants body board!

He started to be really interested in sewing the cardboard animals Oma and Opa brought over.  He did it for days, and then kind of put it away for a while.  Maddie never was interested very much in those sewing crafts.  Just goes to show you how different these two  are.

On to the beach!  We stayed at my Aunt and Uncle's beach house in Emerald Isle for five days in May.  It was our longest beach trip with the kids and also our "big" family vacation this year.  Both kids absolutely loved their time at the beach and we went for a few hours every single day.  We tried to break up the beach time by going to the aquarium and we also checked out Beaufort.  Awesome little town!

Beach girl!  She was more interested in picking up rocks and making mud pies this time.  She kept herself completely covered in sand every minute!

The NC Maritime Museum is really a find. A free one! All the Queen Anne's Revenge (Blackbeard) artifacts will end up in this museum.  Some items from the ship are still at ECU being processed for display, but there is a significant showcase of Blackbeard stuff in the back of this museum. We headed here after Maddie became so disappointed with the lack of pirate stuff at the aquarium.

So yeah, both kids are into pirates. Argh, matey

Kids can create their own pirate flag on a flat screen computer at the museum.  Maddie's version features bleeding hearts, swords, and skeletons on it.  Quite a collage, I'd say. 

Here they pose with Blackbeard himself.  Maddie was making a pirate face (an awesome one) and Mason wasn't really sure what to do.  She really has a grip around his neck now that I look at this....so funny together.

They both wanted treasure chests from the gift shop.  I don't usually do gift shop purchases, but the museum was free and gift shop proceeds go to the museum upkeep.  I really liked this place, can you tell?  Here are the buccaneers on the Beaufort waterfront with their treasures.  Love how Mason is looking at Maddie!

 We corralled the kids into a waterfront lunch, which was really brave since we were all exhausted.  It was actually really yummy food and very pretty view.  Kind of like a date with kids..ha!  I snuck in some snuggles with my little man.

 Sweet girl

Back at the beach house,  I took this pic (and many more) while chilling on the deck.  The mom and dad bird were taking turns bringing straw and maybe food (?) back to the nest.  The palm tree was very close to the deck and I got some really cool photos.  Just goes to show you that parenting is a teamwork activity!

 I love this photo and framed it for Mason's new big boy room. 
He wanted someone to hold his hand the whole time he was near or in the water.  I think he's getting braver, but is still unsure about the waves.

 

Beach buddies.

Up next, part two. 
Maddie's dance recital, another beach trip and grandparents' visit!

January Rewind

Things fell into a bit of disarray in January.  Work spilled over into home life and a lot of things were put aside, this blog being one of them.  I decided to finally post some text to the photos uploaded in January.  Here goes.

Maddie turned 5 and there was a lot of gifting and dancing.  Here are some dated but funny photos.  Looking at them makes me realize why I do like blogging.  It really is amazing to look back.  She doesn't even look like this anymore.

Headbands...yay!

Breakfast of five-year olds....Maddie's favorite blueberry pancakes and a heart-shaped sausage patty!

Maddie enjoying breadfast wearing her school-made crown.

Mason taking advantage of the breakfast spread.

Presents:  small and...

big.  Maddie's first "big-girl bike."

She wasn't sure at first if she would like it.

But once she discovered the training wheels, it made climbing on a bit easier!

Ready to roll!

 

We were lucky it was a mild January, and she could try it out in the cul-de-sac.

Of course Mason wanted to pedal also, but he kind of just sits and gets pushed.  Must work on that!

Decorating cupcakes for her party.  Lots of sprinkles!

Homemade strawberry icing and chocolate.  And sprinkles and rings on top!  Maddie selected hers ahead of time of course.  The chocolate one with the huge pink "diamond!"

Maddie's dance teacher just has a way with kids.  We were so excited she could "teach" the dance party!  Everyone was encouraged to dress up!

Circle time!

Maddie had a selection of songs for the dance party....mostly Taylor Swift playing the whole time.

 

Noah really impressed Ms. Kathryn!

And so did Gwen.

Parachute time!

They definitely got their wiggles out.  Now cupcakes and snacks.  Notice the bowl of blueberries, by request of the birthday girl.

Maddie is so lucky to have so many good friends. 

And goofy friends!! 


Here, chick chick chick

Frank and I had been talking about getting chickens for months.  Frank took a chicken class and everything.  In late January, right around the time of Maddie's birthday, we added five (5!) new members to our family.  We planned to buy another kind of chick but long story short, we got some Easter Eggers and Frank was the best chicken daddy ever!  They grew so fast, he had to hurry to get the coop built in time!

One of the feathered acquisitions. 

We had a mild winter, but Frank and I were worried about them getting too cold in the garage, even with the heat lamp on them.  So......we moved them to the huge and never-used tub in our bathroom. They were quite happy there for more than a month.  And we were quite happy when they had enough feathers to move back to the garage!

Dragon and Ladybug pillowpets for TV lounging.  Thanks Grandmama and Grandaddy!

A visit to Grandmama and Grandaddy's house.  Lots of playing and...

a collaps on the new pillow pet!

A new game with my scarf.  We had to stop this and make some adjustments so Mason wouldn't strangle himself.  I think he was the horse......not sure.

That's all for the January rewind.  I will post some June beach photos soon!!