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!