Vacation to the Outer Banks

Fortunately for us (not so fortunately for others who went after us), we were blessed with a week of beautiful weather for our vacation to the Outer Banks. Hurricane Earl swept through the very week AFTER we were there. Whew!

We went in on renting a house with some friends of ours , Brian and Beth, from Winston-Salem. It was great to catch up with them, and to meet their little girl (as they were always very adament about NOT having children...ha!) Madison, who is now just over a year and 1/2. The kids had fun together, though I'm not sure who had more fun...them, or Beth!



This is the first vacation we have taken as a family and we had a great time! The only downfall to the whole week was that James ended up with food poisoning and was miserably sick for about 12 hours. I'm SURE he could have done without that, but thankfully it was an isolated event and the rest of us were fine. When he first started throwing up (on Tuesday), my mind went to the stomach virus that plagued us a couple of years ago. We were SO sick...all of us, that time!

Ryan's swimming lessons certainly paid off, as he spent every afternoon in the pool at our rental house. He had a blast jumping in and swimming around and around that pool. Ella quite enjoyed it, too...though for some reason she was only comfortable with James holding her in the pool. She wanted NOTHING to do with me.





This was the first trip to the beach for both of our kids. Growing up in Maine, I spent many summers going to the beach and sticking my feet in the (much COLDER than NC) waters of the Atlantic. I was so excited to watch their faces as they saw the ocean for the first time. It still takes my breath away!







We, of course, brought many sand pails and shovels for building sandcastles, and Ella was quite fond of finding seashells and sticking them in her pockets.







The first day we went to the beach, there were TONS of jellyfish washed up on the sand. I have never seen one up close, and at first, I didn't realize what it was. The lifeguard told us that the ones that were clear were harmless (dead), but to be careful of the ones with the brown and black spots on them...they sting! These things were ALL over the place. So much, that we didn't let the kids get in the water that first day (nor did we spend much time walking by the water). As you can see, this one was very much alive.



Less than a mile from our house was a fun little plaza that had bumper cars, mini golf, homemade ice cream shops, and lots of unique little gift shops. We hit it all. This was also the first time we took the kids to play mini golf. Ryan did pretty well...Ella, well, she IS only 2!







One of the highlights, for me (you know, besides spending an entire week with my family), was DRIVING on the beach to look at wild horses. James was kind of like "big deal", but I thought it was amazing. The 4 wheel drive section of the Outer Banks is located just a few miles from Corolla, which is the town where we stayed. There are some gorgeous homes in that area, but no roads. When they say you need 4 wheel drive to get out there, they aren't kidding! At any rate, there is a limited population of these Spanish mustangs and there is actually a law that you cannot get within 50 feet of them. We got close enough to snap a few pics. Just amazing.


The pavement literally just ends...and there's the beach







It was a wonderful end to a very busy summer. We hope to be able to do it again next year!

Happy Birthday, sweet Ella!

2 years old! I can't believe it! I know, I say that with both kids, with every birthday, but seriously! These kids are growing up right before my very eyes!

We had a fun day celebrating Ella! We went to a local park where there is a man-made (I believe) lake and a sandy area for the kids to play. James and I didn't bring our suits, as we weren't sure what to expect, but the kids had so much fun in the water!
















After, we went home and Ella opened her presents (with help from her big brother, of course!). We had dinner and then cupcakes for dessert. Oreo cupcakes, that were pretty much amazing! We are celebrating again this weekend with a family party. My Mom is flying in on Wednesday, and James' family will join us on Saturday. No question that Ella is loved!












Oh, sweet Ella. I love being your Mom and watching you grow. I'm so thankful for the 'ordinary days' that we have together. I love your squeezes and snuggles, your giggles and being able to wipe your tears when you're sad. I love your strong personality and hope that we can steer you in the right direction to use it wisely. You have a voice, and you want to be heard, and boy, some days do we hear you! You have so many words these days...you even put whole sentences together! I love that after hearing Ryan pray before meals, that you have started whispering some of the words (since he uses the same ones every time) under your breath. I pray you will have a heart for God, and that He will bless you richly. He has blessed ME richly by allowing me to be your Mom. I love you so much. Happy Birthday!

A little of this and a little of that...

Boy, summer has been busy for us, so far! Since I haven't updated in over a month, I thought I would do an update, picture style, so you can see a little of what we've been up to!

The last week in June, we went to Maine. James went on his annual fishing trip, while the kids and I went to visit my Mom. We had a great time, and spent a great afternoon at the lake...where I took lots of great pictures...then lost them all from my card as I tried to upload them to my Mom's computer (that had a worm). UGH! Anyway...

Our neighbor has two grown girls, both of which were not happy when she said she was going to sell their childhood play house. SO--we are 'borrowing' it while the kids are little, so that she can get it out of her yard and so that she doesn't have to actually sell it before they are ready for her to do so. Bonus for us!! The kids LOVE it, as you will see...


Cheeeeese!


Ryan peeking out the window


Ella peeking

With the really hot weather we have been having (upper 90s, some days), we got out the whale pool, filled it up, and let the kids go nuts. Well, they didn't actually go nuts because they seemed more interested in the pastel play house! Ha!


Ryan in the whale pool!



Splashin' fun!

When not in the play house, or in the whale pool, the kids can be found riding (and falling off) bikes and drawing on the driveway with chalk.








Our cute little driveway artist


Ponytails (or attempts at them) are a must on hot days! The unruly curls don't allow it all to stay in place!


One must stay hydrated, of course!

4th of July weekend, we went to see the Yankees play in New York. It was our first trip to the new stadium and it was pretty impressive! The Yanks won the game, though most of the action occurred in the 3rd inning (11 runs were scored in ONE inning!!). We stayed with our friends Joe and Karyllan in New Jersey for the night and had a great time!


Take me out to the ball game!








James and Joe--a buddy from high school days



The following weekend, our friends Matt and Tara and their two kids came for an overnight visit on their way home from visiting Tara's parents in northern NY. Apparently I forgot to take pictures of that, but the kids had a great time. Their son's name is Noah, and for some reason, Ryan kept calling him "vanilla". Cracked us up.

Today, Ryan started swimming lessons. I was so proud to see him venture down to the pool (without me) on the heels of one of his friends who is in his 'class'. He was a little timid in the water, but did everything he was asked to do. I imagine by the end of the 3 weeks of lessons, he will be pretty comfortable in the pool.


Looking to make sure I'm watching


Feeling a bit more comfortable the second time around

We are enjoying summer, thus far, and hope to continue on the same path for the rest of it!

Ponytails and Must Haves

Yay! I was able to pull Ella's hair into her first ponytail this morning!!


Isn't it adorable?

Lately, Ella has a few 'must have' items that go to bed with her at nap time (and at night). Don't worry, though. We DO remove the large Elephant and Elmo once she falls asleep. :)


You will note that her hair is no longer in the above mentioned ponytail. It lasted for all of a half hour, if that!

Moving on Up

Here are some pictures from Ryan's last day of preschool (for this year) and his moving up ceremony. I was one proud Mama to see him walk across that bridge so confidently, with his little diploma (certificate of completion?) in his hand and that big crooked grin.


Looking anxiously for Mom, Dad and Ella


Crossing the bridge


So proud of himself...love the grin!


Ryan with his teachers...again with the crooked grin...ha!


Isn't he cute?

My little big boy

This is a picture of Ryan, back in September, on his first day of nursery school (also his 4th birthday). The silly grin on his face (and the fact that he has his backpack on his front) shows me just how nervous he actually was. I had no idea what to expect from him on that first day. Would he cry? Would he hold on to my leg and not want to let go? He has always proven to be slow to warm up, especially in new situations. Turns out, he did hold on to my hand on the way into the classroom. I got him settled with a few other kids at one of the tables where they were playing with play-doh, and I gave him a hug and a kiss and made my exit. On my way out the door, I turned around and took one last look before leaving the room. Ryan looked at me nervously, and I said "I'll see you in a little while.", and I left. When I went to pick him up that day, the teacher told me that he was definitely one of the more quiet kids in the class. For some reason, I felt I needed to explain that he was an observer, that he liked to see other kids do things before trying them himself. I received more of the same feedback throughout that first week. They told me that their "hallway activity" that month was the water table, and Ryan didn't want to wear a smock (and therefore couldn't play with the water table). I thought for sure they would blame it on some kind of sensory issue, or try and make like it was a big deal. They didn't, but once again, I felt I needed to explain that he would warm up, eventually.

I continued walking Ryan into his classroom until about January. I decided it was time for him to make the entrance by himself. He had made it a game to hide behind my leg and wait for the teachers to acknowledge him. I watched him grow more and more confident with each day forward.

In February, we had a parent/teacher conference. Ryan got glowing reports. His teachers said that he is a joy to have in the class, and that he had really come out of his shell. They mentioned how he had gone from a quiet and shy little boy to an outgoing friend to his classmates. "Yay!", I thought. "They finally got to see the Ryan I was hoping they would see!"

Fast forward to the present. Last week, upon picking Ryan up from school, I asked him how was his day at school? He told me it was good, but that he had been put in time out. Me: "Ryan, why did you have to go into time out?" Ryan: "Well, I was being too loud." Me: "Oh, and did the teacher ask you to quiet down and you weren't listening?" Ryan: "Yes, Mom." "Are you mad at me?" Me: "Well, Ryan, I'm not mad at you, but I am disappointed to hear that you were in time out." We then talked about what choices he could make in the future when faced with a similar situation, and he gave the appropriate answers. Ironic, huh? He went from being one of the quietest kids in his class, to being one of the loudest! I say that, because when I confronted his teacher (who never told me about the time out), she said that her son is the same way...loud. I told her I was glad to see that he was feeling comfortable. ;)

I now can't believe that the school year has come and gone. I have struggled recently with the decision of whether or not to send Ryan on to Kindergarten in the fall, or to keep him in preschool for one more year. Part of me feels like another year of nursery school is just me wanting to hold him back and keep him little, but another part of me thinks that given the choice, I would rather have Ryan be one of the older kids in his class, as opposed to one of the youngest. I honestly think he could go either way and be fine, but ultimately, we have made the decision to send him back to nursery school for another year. The class he was in this year was mostly 3 year olds (something I misunderstood when signing him up for the class last summer). The class he will attend next year is the ReadyK class. The class meets 3 days a week, just like his class this year, but in addition to that, he will also attend the "Literacy Option" that meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. So, he will be going 5 mornings a week. I feel that it will be a good chance for him to get used to going to school every day, and that if he can get some extra one on one attention in the area of early reading...it can't hurt, right? I have never ever heard a parent say that they regret delaying the start of Kindergarten, I have only ever heard the opposite from parents who wish they would have waited one more year. So, our decision is made.

I both mourn and rejoice in the fact that my little baby boy is becoming a big boy. It is exciting for me to look back and see how far he has come in this school year. I really can't believe that the shy, quiet little boy that gave me that nervous look on that first day of school is the same boy that barely even looks over his shoulder at me (though he did come back and give me a hug this morning) when he walks into the classroom. It excites me to see his personality coming out, and to see him try new things with confidence.

Man, I love this kid!

The difference between boys and girls

Ryan's shoes:



Ella's shoes:



*Side note: I did not buy ALL of Ella's shoes. I have a good friend who gives me hand-me-downs from her two little girls, and my Mom happens to not be able to resist a cute pair of little girl shoes! I'm not saying I didn't buy ANY of them, because, well, let's face it...I DO have a love for shoes! Oh, and I haven't bought Ryan any summer shoes yet...the crocs (or croc-ish) shoes are from last summer and don't really fit him any more!