June 2016

This month was all about FLORIDA!!!

For a vacation that only lasts for a little more than a week, it sure has a way of consuming an entire month!  We join Charlie's extended family every other year for a reunion of sorts at Navarre Beach, and between preparations, traveling, and recovery - the trip exhausted June.  And me.  But that's okay - it was a great trip!

Packing for vacations with Littles is getting easier and easier - we're definitely starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!  This go around, we only needed one pack and play and no high chair, bouncer seat, stroller, back pack carrier, infant bath tub, diaper changing mat...  We even contemplated not using our hitch haul, but did anyway just to have some extra space in the van.  And that extra space was nice, because it was a long drive!

Charlie was awesome and drove the ENTIRE trip, Yvonne did a great job keeping him company - I sat in the back seat to help with the kiddos, but ended up getting to relax most of the drive!

We left early Friday morning, and made it as far as Monroe, Louisiana - a nice halfway point - about 10.5 hours later...  And the kids were amazing in the car!  I think this was our first long road trip where I didn't feel like a circus entertainer in the back seat!  They each had their DVD players, some books, and a few toys, and they were golden.  Abby didn't fuss for a new movie every five minutes, and Bruce didn't do any weird bored-groaning sounds - I couldn't have asked for better attitudes.  Bruce mostly entertained himself with Legos and Ninjago movies we borrowed from the library, and Abby spent hours sticking hundreds of stickers all on the same piece of paper, and giving herself washable marker tattoos.  Good times.

 

We got to the hotel early enough for the kids to have some run around time, but mostly we just went to bed!  We had nine nights that our family all slept in the same room - not normal at all for us!  I was terrified going into the trip - confident that nights would be a catastrophe and no one would get any sleep and it would be the downfall of the entire vacation - but it was overall a great success, and we only needed a little bribery to make it happen...

pit stop at Dairy Queen!

I was worried that Day 2 of the drive would be much worse, but it ended up being just as wonderful!  We got to the beach house around 4pm with enough time to go see the ocean and play a bit before dinner and bedtime!  This was Bruce's third time to come to the ocean, and Abby's second, but it was still amazing to see them awestruck the first time they laid eyes on it!  I have to admit, I'm still fairly awestruck by it - there is something deeply enchanting about the ocean!

 

Bruce wasted no time in starting his shell collection...

Consulting with the master shell finder

taking off for the main house

Bruce found a water bug!

riding the sand waves

Abbs befriended Uncle John immediately

We stayed at a smaller beach house half a mile down the road from the "big house" with Charlie's mom, his brother Frank, our sister-in-law Michelle, and their boys Daniel and Matthew.  Charlie's cousin Emee stayed with us a few nights before migrating to one of the other houses - I don't blame her - we get up and get noisy early!  We hadn't stayed at this rental before - but it was so nice!  We did have to have the plumber come out towards the beginning of the week because the ceiling in the kitchen was dripping water when you ran the shower in one of the upstairs bathrooms - but they were so quick to come out and get it fixed, it really wasn't an issue at all!  The house had beach access (yay!) and it wasn't too far of a drive/walk from the main house either which was nice.  We're still trying to find a good one even closer to the other houses, but if we can't - this I think might be our go-to rental from now on!

We enjoyed six full days at the beach, and loved every one of them.

Abby refused to wear a swim suit almost every time...

... but had to have her pink pail with her always

Mornings came fairly early for us, but not as early as I was anticipating!  For as long as I can remember, when not sleeping at home in her crib, Abby will wake up around 4am - ready to start the day.  I'll bring her into bed with me, but she'll just twirl my hair or pick my nose or stick her fingers in my ears or beg for a movie... until I finally get up with her.  It's never ideal, but it's especially difficult when Charlie's in the bed, too, and Bruce is sleeping on the floor three feet away.  And it's for nine nights.  Thankfully, it wasn't bad at all.  The first few nights Abby did wake up in the middle of the night, but I just laid down with her on a bedroll on the floor and she went back to sleep with me fairly easily.  And half the nights she didn't wake up at all until her usual 6am.  But the BEST part - was that both kids did amazingly well with not waking each other up, neither at bedtime when Bruce crept in after Abbs was already asleep, nor in the mornings when one woke up before the other.  AMAZING!!!  (Although most mornings they naturally woke up together anyway)  Actually, the best part was the morning when I woke up and rolled over in bed at 7am to find the room completely empty!!!  Charlie had gotten up with both of them without managing to wake me in the process - and he even had fed them breakfast by the time I got up!  Heaven.

Bruce and Charlie rarely wasted any time getting down to the ocean in mornings, usually even in pajamas still.  Abby was a little hesitant.  She was getting over the tail end of a cold, and for some reason being outside exacerbated her runny nose which really bothered her.  But also, she was just really content sitting on the couch reading her books.  That girl and her books.

Bruce earned a (knock-off) Ninjago mini-figure every morning for sleeping respectfully!

riding the "elevators"

We had a tide pool one morning!

at least she had a nice view of the ocean...

Around 9:30 or 10am, we usually headed back inside - as much we love the beach, we are well aware of our skin's limitations!  My sister-in-law Michelle and I had put together some activities for the kids to do inside during the hot part of the day, including beach lego kits, sand playdoh kits, and a variety of games - but when the kids got too crazy cooped up inside - it was also nice to send them down to the garage for some ninja training!  We also would go over to the main house to eat lunch and spend some time visiting with the rest of the family.  There was quite a crowd this year which was fun since we don't get to see the Louisiana family as much as we'd like.  This was the first time since we've started coming with kids that I felt like I could actually hold conversations with people without constantly being needed by my offspring.  yes... victory!  There was a baby cousin, which occupied both of my kids nicely, and a tub of trains that cousin Drake had brought which was a big hit.

Abby got a new mini train every morning for her sleep  bribe...

Seafood lunch!

all the (immediate) cousins!

We love Baby Elle!

Reading with Uncle Dan...

Reading with Aunt Claire...

doing flips with Uncle John!

Bruce and Aunt Mary - twinsies!

Camille let Abbs wear her wedding headband!

Having dinner on the patio

After lunch and rest/nap time, we'd head back out to the beach around 4pm.  It was always a toss up as to whether or not Abby would want to walk down to the ocean, but Bruce never passed up a chance.  He loved every bit of it, and was so brave!  Maybe even a little too brave...  

floating on the "island"!

swimming with cousin Peter

look at those clouds!  We had a lot of rain, but it really never bothered us!

sand drawing with feathers - look at that pencil grasp!  He's getting so much better!

What Abby did love, was the bay.  A couple of times we walked across the street and through the sand dunes to the bay side of the narrow island, and walked along the shoreline looking for crabs.  There was a slight ebb and flow to the water, which made it feel somewhat dramatic, but without the loud thunder of the ocean, or the strong current of the waves.  We found so many hermit crabs with the most interesting shells I've ever seen, and even a couple of fairly big blue crabs.  Charlie says that there are some years when stingrays will almost line the shore, but we weren't lucky enough to see any this go around.  It was so fun for my mama heart to watch Abby really relish in the experience at the bay, when it seemed like she wasn't really enjoying the ocean that much.  There's something for everyone I guess.

 
                                                                               drawing a stingray

look at those spikes!

as always, Bruce found trash treasure to keep his hermit crabs in while we walked.

On the day that our part of the family was signed up to help with cooking, the boys took a mini-field trip to the Naval Aviation Museum while the girls stayed back and made cupcakes and appetizers to feed a small army.  The boys loved touring the museum, and it was nice to have most of the kids out of the house so we could focus on food.  And Abby got a really good nap in that day.  Win-win.

they were seated by this statue during lunch - this is them trying to impersonate him...

One of Charlie's cousins got married at the beach while we were there - so fun!  One night Charlie stayed back with the kids while I went to the bachelorette party, and then another night I stayed back with the kids so Charlie could go to the wedding.  Even though I've been part of the family for over 12 years now, I still don't know Charlie's cousins very well, so it was a fun night to hang out with the girls and be a little social!  And although kids were invited to the wedding, it was a night wedding and our kids still don't do late nights too well.  Charlie contemplated bringing Bruce, but in the end we just felt like if Charlie went by himself he wouldn't have to commit to being a parent the whole night, and instead be able to really engage with his family.  It was a tough decision, but I'm glad we made it because I think Charlie had a really good night catching up with everyone.  And although I would have loved to have been at the wedding, I have to admit, I think that night alone at the beach was my favorite of the whole trip.  After dinner the kids and I walked along the ocean shore together - it was so calm and relaxing.  We looked for shells while I sang them my favorite ocean song, and it was just good.   After tucking Abby in bed, Bruce and I snuck back down to the ocean for just a few minutes to watch the sun setting through distant pink clouds flashing with lightning.  To quote Bruce, quoting a book we've been reading this summer, "I could stay on this page forever."  

my sisters-in-law at the 80s themed party!

Yvonne and all her boys!

Our family!

too bad the picture didn't turn out - but this is from our sunset walk

Friday, our last full day at the beach, was an awesome day.  A great way to close out the trip.  The weather was perfect, and everyone - including Abby - had a wonderful morning playing in the ocean.  We built sand castles, dug "sea turtle" nests, drifted on floats, boogie boarded, and played in the waves.  Later that afternoon, we got ice cream and took a walk down the pier.  It was super windy, but we all still had a really great time - exactly how you'd picture a beach vacation to be.  A gift.

sea turtles hatching

sand angels

the only time Abby actually got in the ocean past her ankles I think...

she loved it!

attempting a family photo

not too successful...

but it's good enough for me!

treasure hunt!

reading the compass

the look out

dig site for the map

digging for treasure was a lot harder than I expected!

but we finally found the bags!

and Bruce got the golden shell he was hoping to find while we were at the beach!

saying goodbye to Uncle Willie

looking at barnacles 

 

 

The next morning, Charlie and Bruce took one more trip to play in the ocean while Abby read books and I finished packing up the last things around the house.  We got on the road a little before check out time at 10am and had a rather uneventful trip back to Monroe.  We stayed at the same hotel, the same rooms even!  And then one more day of driving got us back to Oklahoma.  I'd say the drive home wasn't nearly as enjoyable as the drive down, but I cannot even begin to complain about it because my kids were champs!  Legos and marker tattoos = winning.  Toward the end of the trip Bruce did start whining a little bit about loosing his Green Ninja - one of the lego minifigures that he got as a *reward* for co-sleeping respectfully - but it never got too out of hand.  And Abby slept for two whole hours - which never happens in the car anymore - so helpful!

 

The week since we've been home has been spent recovering!  Laundry, unpacking, yard work, and getting back into our regular rhythms.  No, we cannot have pop tarts for every meal.  Yes, we have to go somewhere today.  No, we cannot watch movies every time we get in the car for three minutes.  No, you do not get a treat for pooping...  Back to the real world...

But our real world is pretty great, too.

Bruce spends his days building spaceships and weird mini-creatures out of Legos while dreaming up deep and difficult questions to ask me.  He's been incredibly interested in marriage, babies, and angels lately.  His questions are getting much more specific, and we've been having some pretty interesting conversations lately trying to satisfy his inquiries!  And when he's not asking questions, he's always wanting to tell us something - and for some reason this month, before saying anything to us, he'll always ask, "Mama, can I tell you something?"  And then will pause for you to respond.  Unless of course you're trying to talk on the phone, or have a conversation with someone else.  Then he never asks first... go figure.

The sound of hands raking through tubs of legos echoes through our house morning, noon, and night - and we have a little song we sing when someone finds a piece that we've been looking for.  Loosely based on "We are the Champions" - we belt out, "Bruuuuuuuuce is the heroooooo!  Bruuuuuuce is the herooooooooo!"  It's silly, but it makes us happy.

June Lego Club meeting - sea plane and a volcano island with lava monsters sinking into the lava

Ever since watching the Lego Movie, Bruce refers to himself as a Master Builder and loves to "master build" things.  According to the movie, a Master Builder is someone who can build anything in his or her imagination without instructions.  I love it.  This, of course, transfers over to other areas too - like when I'm cooking dinner and Bruce asks me if I'm "Master making" something out of my imagination.  Usually, yes.  Yes, I am.  I master made that veggie medley - so eat it.  Please.

I don't know what health inspectors would say about cooking in your undies... but I'll take the help any way I can get it!

He also informed me the other day that when he grows up, he wants to be a warrior.  A real warrior.  That really defeats bad guys.

he was being too quiet in the bath one night, and when I went to check on him - I found him like this.  He said he was meditating...

He's trying really hard to be much more independent and grown up these days - asking to brush his teeth before we tell him it's time, actually cleaning his room sometimes without being asked, and struggling through the frustrating process of dressing himself.  It's definitely not all the time, but it's a marked difference for sure.  One time, a long time ago, he said or did something and I told him that it was almost making my heart explode, and ever since then - he asks me all the time if my heart is exploding when he's doing something responsible or kind.  Sometimes throughout the day we just catch each others' eye and I make an explosion motion by my heart and he eats it up.  The little things, right?

a butterfly we hatched out

What really makes my heart explode - is when these kids I love, love each other well.  They really know how to push each others' buttons, but man, there are so many instances throughout the day when they just melt me.  They encourage each other and tell each other that what they're building/making/drawing is awesome, and that they're doing a good job (even though Bruce will often whisper to me later, "Abby's picture doesn't really look like a dog, does it?) They'll bring each other treats sometimes, they'll invite each other to come join them in whatever activity they're doing, and their cute little conversations with each other make me giggle.

Abby has some quirky expressions these days, too.  While Bruce might be in a phase of politely (and obnoxiously) asking before speaking, Abby will just grab my face and say, "Mama, listen to me!"  She's always chatting (or singing) up a storm, but some of her words are still off a bit, and crazy cute.  Some of our favorites include calling Wal-Mart, "Wamp-it" and pajamas, "jamamas."  She also for some reason has an issue with abbreviated words/initials.  She calls the television the "tvv", and cds "cdds."  And we have a friend named JD that she calls JaDayDee.  I know she'll grow out of all those one day and it will be kind of sad, but for now it's a lot of fun, and I hope jamamas sticks around for good.

We signed up for the Summer Reading program at the library this month which has added some extra fun for us lately.  They've put on some additional programs along with our regular story times, and are holding a competition for the best readers this summer.  I don't know if Abby will win or not, but she really wants to earn a medal at least.  The Norman library hands those out, but the Noble one doesn't typically. Bruce has one from a few years ago, and it really makes Abbs green!  I was mentioning that to one of the librarians the other day - just in conversation, not as a complaint - but they've worked it out to make sure Abby will get her medal.  Our little library really has the best staff!  I set a goal of 2000 minutes for each of the kids for the months of June and July, and Abby (not surprisingly) has already surpassed that.  She's always pulling a big pile of books up on to the couch with her to snuggle in with.  When she's done she'll say, "Mama, I ready to put these books on the padetur (computer)" meaning she wants me to log those minutes/books into the computer record.  She's determined.

Our garden really exploded while we were on vacation, and not just with weeds!  The lettuce and turnips have petered out, making room for the cucumbers and squash.  The beets are just about done, right on time for the pumpkins to take over their spot in the garden.  The tomatoes are finally starting to ripen, and we ate our first eggplant and cabbage this week!  The okra plants are nearly a foot tall and the peppers are starting to take off - I think it's going to be a great year for produce!

 
     for a boy who is such a picky eater... he loves to lick the pollen off of the sunflowers...

all in a days work

We've been spending these last few days of the month getting ready for school to start.  In a little over a week, we'll kick off "Okie One Room School" and begin our home schooling adventure!  Another mom and I planned out lessons for the first three weeks of school today, and tomorrow we're planning to go to a local t-shirt screen printing business to watch them make our field trip shirts.  This is really happening!!!  

Bruce still asks me daily if I miss Florida and wish we were still there, and I tell him that even though I loved being in Florida, I'm really happy to be home because we have so many more adventurous days ahead!