Five Things Friday 08.17.2012 - I'm a Big Kid Now!

1. Noah is now a big kid in the truest sense of the word. 60 pounds and 48 inches (4 feet).

2. He's into big kid cartoons like Scooby Doo and Mr. Men.

3. In the car this week, I tried to put on some music that I thought both he and Emma would like... "he said, "No, Mom... Not baby music."

4. Tonight Noah played outside for quite a while before bed. He came in for shower hot, sweaty and thirsty. He had a huge drink of water, and I was worried it might be a bit too much before bedtime. I suggested he sleep in a pull-up. Again, it was, "No, Mom. Babies wear pull-ups."

5. He also told me that he wanted a fish. "A fish for my room. Ok, Mom." Ummm... okay.

Summer Vacation - The Last Day

So, my thinking was this... Get to vacation as early as possible and stay late to eek out every last drop of fun. I completely forgot who I was traveling with. My extended family was on the road the last day of vacation before 7AM. With a flight that didn't leave until 3PM and a 10AM check-out, time was needed to be killed.

We had an extra passenger on our return flight. Seth. Fortifying our morning with some Starbucks.

Headed to the track. The only thing open at 9AM. Race cars. Arcade games. And a denial to ride the kiddie swings for Noah. He was too tall.

Alvin's Island. It's a beach stuffs bonanza. Plus, nothing says beach vacation like an airbrush t-shirt.

Lunch at Fudruckers with a quick perk at the gators. Worth noting that Emna ate gator bites. I'm pretty sure she thought it was chicken.

Headed to the terminal via rental car transport.

Emma was practicing social skills making friends with the big girls.

Home at last.

Summer Vacation - Pool Fun

Family vacation beach rentals come with lots of criteria. With a group of sixteen, we can sometimes seem like a demanding bunch... on the beach, big kitchen, number of beds, and a must - private pool.  The kids swam at all hours... day or night and had the best time.  This memory making is so much fun!

Zack goofing off!

Grammy and Emma Lou.

Jumping in!

Time for the stunts!

Got air?

Noah's turn.

Woo hoo!

Yes!

Summer Vacation - The Beach

The kids had a great time playing on the beach.  

Noah loved the water.  He had the best time jumping and getting splashed until he would inevitably get salt water in his nose/eyes/mouth and be done for the day. 

Emma loved the sand.   She had the best time digging her fingers in it until inevitably should would go to rub her eyes and get the sand in her nose/mouth/eyes then she was done for the day. 

This group was a bunch of great beach playmates!

Seth and Noah in the waves.

Brooke holding Emma at the water's edge.

Noah challenging Morgan to a game of beach crochet.

Zack tried burying Emma in the sand.  She wanted no part of that. 

Pa Pa was even able to get a bit of beach snuggle time with Emma.

And then came Daddy and the boogie board.

Yay for fun in the sun!

Climbing Mastered

Add climbing onto the couch to the list of skills Emma is adding to her arsenal.  In this video, she is climbing up to snuggle next to brother, but on previous attempts, she tried her stand up by rocking move and nearly toppled head first.  Guess who can no longer be left alone in the living room.  Sigh.  PS - Please note her "cheese" at the end of the video.  She says that any time I pull out my phone.  So cute!

Summer Vacation

So, I finally had the opportunity to sit down and download pictures to my computer and select my blog worthy pics out of the over 600 I took on vacation.  Out of all, this has to be my favorite.  What a great week my kids had being with their cousins.  I just love this crew! 

At dinner the last few nights, Noah led the group in a round of best/worst part of your day.  He went around the dinner table with the script, "Seth/Grammy/Uncle D/etc., what's the best part of your day?"  "And, what's the worst part?"  "Oh no, that's not good at all."  He was so cute, and everyone would raise their hand for him to call on them.  He would thoughtfully look around the table and choose the next person with an exaggerated pointing motion with sound effects to match.  Uncle D was pretty much cutting back flips to have his name called, and Noah actually waited to call on him last.  It was so funny and was such a cute representation of Noah's personality.  One night a few of the kids said there worst part of the day was "I didn't get to para sail."  Noah has now adopted that as his "worst part" answer at home.  Not sure he even knows what a para sail is.  We ended the week with a round of, "what was the best part of your trip?"  My answer seeing my children have so much fun.  It's just what it's all about, isn't it?!!  What an awesome vacation!

And, since Emma is missing from the pool shot.  Here's a little shot of her "cheese!"

Get ready for a blogging bonanza in the next couple days!