Playing by the Bay

After two days hauling all our stuff to the beach, Daddy and I were eager to get a break and stay around the house. The bay was surprisingly warm, not quite warm enough for me or Emily to jump in (though Daddy did), but perfect for lounging on a raft and dipping in our toes. It was just enough to cool us off on a hot, hot summer day.



The girls also cooled off in their little pools, one for Emmy and one for Katie, with toys circa 1985. (Does the little red and white boat look familiar to you?)





It was another gorgeous day in a weekend that made for a great start to the summer. We can't wait for more smiles from our bathing beauties all summer long!

A Summer Tradition with a Twist

On the way to our usual summertime ice cream spot, we passed a new frozen yogurt place with a live band out front to celebrate its grand opening and just couldn't resist. Plus, Emmy was asking for strawberry ice cream, which we knew the other place didn't have. Well, she got her strawberry frozen yogurt, with an interesting combination of mini peanut butter cups and sprinkles, and for Kate we got vanilla topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries -- the fruit for Kate and the frozen yogurt for me!





You can bet we'll be back, probably sooner than later!

Back Where We Belong

...on the beach, naturally! We're back in our favorite place for Memorial Day Weekend, and Emily practically ran right into the ocean when we first got to the beach this afternoon.




Meanwhile, Kate did a lot better in the sand than she did when we tried two weeks ago, probably because it was a nice hot day today, but she still stayed away from the cold ocean. (Like mother, like daughter!) Emily didn't mind the cold temperature at all, but when we noticed her lips were looking a little blue, we figured it was time to take a little break and warm up in the sand.






Kate got to enjoy her first sandy peanut butter and jelly, but what she really enjoyed most was playing with her buddy Emily.





Clearly Emmy enjoyed it too, and we know today is just the first of many fun beach days for our two favorite girls!

Popsicles in the Park

Today was Emily's last day of school, and it's a school tradition to walk to the nearby playground for some playtime and popsicles. It was a little chaotic with so many kids running around, and on such a hot day too, but Emmy was happy to kick back with her popsicle and get a little more time with her favorite friend from the school year, her teacher Miss Cammy.





With all the kids, I couldn't let Katie run around as much as she would have liked, but as usual, we were among the last to leave the party, which meant she got a little time to explore and of course play with her bestie, Emily. (They were copying some boys sticking little sticks in the mud.)




I can't believe the school year is over, but I'm looking forward to having the extra time to spend with both my girls this summer!

Look What Emily Can Do!

With her last day of school tomorrow, today we made thank you cards for Emily's teachers. Emmy told me her favorite things about Miss Cammy and Miss MaryChris, but the best part was that she signed the cards herself, and not just with a scribble like she had been doing up until recently. Of course, it helps that all of her letters are straight lines, and she still needs help with the diagonals on the M and Y, but I think she does a pretty awesome job for a three-year-old!

Run and Play

This morning we ran the inaugural March of Dimes 5k, which was run by none other than our friend Seth, in conjunction with the charity's March for Babies walk. We had planned to run as a family, but when we took off and I realized I could get a top finish, I decided to go for it. (Actually, I was in second place, then had to stop and tie my shoe, then waited for Daddy and the girls to catch up, then asked Daddy what he thought, and then decided to go for it. I ended up making my way back up to third place, which was just the confidence boost I've been needing lately!) After the race, the girls had fun running (or climbing, in Kate's case) up the Art Museum steps sort of like Rocky: The Toddler Years.






After that, Emily spotted some giant balloons and a giant beach ball which helped keep all of our minds off the chilly weather as we waited for the walkers to start their march.





As always, there's nothing quite like a race to start the morning, and considering we got all our yardwork done yesterday, we were actually able to come home and relax!

Evening Entertainment

To most adults, lawn-mowing is a chore, but to a toddler, apparently it's primetime entertainment. I realized Katie was being unusually quiet and found her sitting at the front door watching Daddy mow the lawn. Emily joined her for a minute or two, but Katie sat there for a good half hour, just watching quietly.




If only Daddy could mow the lawn at this time every night, dinnertime would surely be a lot more peaceful!

Check Out Those Curls!

Emily's hair had gotten a bit too long, so I decided now was as good a time as any to get it cut again. I didn't tell her what we were doing until I picked her up from school, and she couldn't have been more excited, telling her teacher, her friends, everyone. I mean, she gets to sit on a cool seat, watch cartoons, and have a lollipop, why wouldn't she be excited?

I had only planned on getting it trimmed, but the hairdresser suggested that some light layers might bring out her curls, and she was so right! I am just loving how bouncy her hair looks now, and what's more, Emmy loves it too. She couldn't wait for Daddy to get home from work so she could show him!

While The Boys Are Away

...the girls will play! And that's exactly what us girls -- Stephanie, Logan, Addison, Emily, Kate and I -- did down the shore while the dads spent the day training yesterday. We took the girls out for lunch, and then while Steph took Addie back for a nap (and some quiet time for herself), I took the older girls first to the playground and then to the beach.





I had forgotten how Emily reacted the first time she tried walking on the sand, but I was quickly reminded the second Kate's feet hit the sand as she burst into tears. Hopefully, like Emmy, that will change once the weather is warmer, or else we're in trouble this summer!


Meanwhile Emily and Logan were so excited to be back on the beach that they raced right down to the water and didn't mind one bit that their clothes were getting soaked! Watching them have so much fun brightened Kate right up, although having her shoes back on probably helped too!










We ended our fun day with a delicious dinner and cake to celebrate Seth's birthday. (I was surprised to learn that we shared a birthday cake request -- mint chocolate chip ice cream cake -- so I was more than happy to help make it!) This morning, they had to get back home for Logan's soccer game, but not before we got a chance to get all four of our girls together!



Four girls, can you imagine? That could be us some day, right, Daddy? (Ha!)