Summer Lovin' -- Week Nine

My little girl, Lorelai --

This week?-- Beach Vacation!! We got to spend a whole week in Surfside with some of our family: GiGi, Maw, Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Peter, Ryan, Uncle Brad, Katie, and -- of course -- Daddy. And on Ryan's birthday, we had extra visitors!

You've played in sand before, but this was your first trip to a real beach. You went right for it -- I guess my girl doesn't mind getting dirty for playtime :-) 

You picked up shells...

...examined a little sand crab with cousin Jay...

...played with cousin Ryan...

...and splashed in the water.

Of course, the best part of all this play is hanging out with family, and during our week, we had chances to connect.

With Aunt Lindsay...

...and Uncle Brad...

...and cousin Ryan.

Back at the beach, we made sure to take some pics of girls (including GiGi) + Ryan:

And our little family:

We had time for a few other explorations, and those were fun, too. One day, we went to the aquarium in Galveston, and you kids seemed to enjoy it. You watched the seals loop and glide...

...and seemed a little awe-filled among the many peguins.

Another favorite was bubble play on our deck. Toddlers & bubbles -- certainly a winner :-)

As we end our week & this year's vacation, I can't help but make a few observations:

1) Working to connect with family is such a good thing.

2) Extended time off with your Daddy is an extra-special treat.

3) Days with two toddlers can be challenging ("NOOOO!" "No, MINE!) and hysterical (e.g. the night of 1000 giggles).

4) A big porch swing on a breezy deck is hard to top. Unless swinging with a glass filled with mint chocolate chip ice cream.

5) You, our sweet, are a funny kid.

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai

Summer Lovin' -- Week Eight

Sweet Lorelai --

How quickly the weeks go! I can't believe it's already week eight. But we are certainly having some fun.

This week, we had time to return to baby playtime. You are still in this funny not-really-a-baby but not-totally-a-toddler stage, and this summer will be the last time we can still go to baby playtime. So it's fun to take you again.

This week, you had great fun figuring out a handbell...

...stared in wonder at the bubbles...

...enjoyed bouncing on a parachute...

...and entered into an odd relationship with a large stuffed tiger:

I think you two are friends now :)

We also had time this week for walks to a park in our big red wagon. You got a little silly, feet propped up on the sides of the wagon, a proudly goofy grin pointed up at me.

Funny kid of mine.

And, as always, you love your swing.

This was also our second (& final, for now) week of swim. On Friday, Daddy got to go with us, and after an uncertain start, you showed off some of your new skills.

You don't seem so sure about being held by the swim coaches:

But, you practiced your kick-kicks...

...and floated to the ABC song...

...glided from the coach to Mommy...

...glided to steps to claim dive sticks...

...splashed the sticks...

...and waved hi to Daddy!

Then, we headed off to the beach, to celebrate cousin Ryan's birthday. He's a big 2 years old now -- kind of amazing.

Ryan's really into Thomas the Train these days -- so guess who showed up at his party?

But a party at the beach needs a beach theme, too -- so we had a Hawaiian Thomas shindig, complete with hula skirts. Your GiGi made you a super cute dress and Ryan a shirt and shorts with material from Hawaii, which you two wore for the party. You snacked at Ryan's new Thomas table for two...

...sipped from pineapple cups, and wore your hula skirts :)

A sweet party for a sweet nephew. He's winning you over to Thomas; you can muster the most plaintive "Choo Choo!" I think I've ever heard.

Seeing you together is fun, and celebrating important days with our family is a great thing. Snuggling with two sweet kiddos makes my heart full.

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai

Summer Lovin' -- Week Seven

My thoughtful little Lorelai --

Our week started out quietly and sweetly. On Monday, you turned 18 months old, and I tried to record the moment while you played with your baby doll.

Then, a fall. We tried out swim lessons this week, and it's been an emotional ride. You shed some big tears that first day -- and also made some good steps toward gliding and kicking and floating. But as we were leaving, you slipped before I could react, and you got your first goose egg.

I felt so sad for you!

But soon, with the help of a lovey, you calmed down.

Later -- total bribery -- I decided to take you out for a cookie treat. We stopped at a fancy little bakery and had a snack, like big girls, at a table fit for tea.

I think you liked our mommy-daughter date :-)

Sweet, injured girl.

Later in the week, we tried a big trip downtown to a book store to join in a Tiny Tails petting zoo. You were a little confused, but you sat down with the other kids for a quick storytime...

And soon it was time to meet the animals. First, the Tiny Tails helpers sang a unique version of "Old McDonald" (who apparently had a tortoise and a chinchilla)

...and then they started letting groups of kiddos in to meet their little animal buddies. Besides petting the tortoise, the chinchilla, a lizard, and the cutest tiny hedgehog, you got to spend some sweet time with a bunny.

And Mommy had fun taking pics of your little friend :)

A fun outing!

Then, one of your cousins, Maya, turned 4, and we got to go to her house to play. On your daddy's side of the family, you have six girl cousins, and I laughed at how quickly a couple of these girls accessorized you:

You also made me laugh as you explored Maya's big girl stuff. You got lost in her ginormous bean bag chair...

...and got a little, um, possessive with her bouncy horse.

(Sorry, sweetie, but I love this pic!)

Finally, at week's end, we visited Daddy at work. I hope you'll always remember how much your daddy loves you. There's a bit a theme in his wall decor:

You, you, you, you (and me and Daddy). 

Sweet man, your daddy -- and a bit of a ham. You seem to have this in common:

We had a nice lunch out together as a family.

By Friday, you seemed to be over your pool tumble. Actual swim lessons are still tough, but you seem to enjoy heading out together with me. I love you, little buddy.

'Til next time, Love to my Lorelai