Annapolis, MD

On August 30Th, we made a day trip to Annapolis, Maryland to go on a pirate adventure! Grandad and Tutu Gail joined us for the adventure. The adventure began by dressing up Sarah as a pirate and learning how to become a pirate ( learning how to talk like a pirate). After Sarah had become a pirate, we went on an hour boat ride on the Chesapeake Bay. The area is absolutely beautiful! The pirates helped the children to find two treasures while using a treasure map. Sarah was a little unsure of the whole adventure just because the pirates were loud, but being silly. By the end, Sarah got into the adventure. She was the first one to spot the first treasure, which was a treasure chest that was marked by an X in the water. After we had our pirates adventure, we went to lunch at Pussers restaurant right on the water where we had great seafood! ( http://www.pussersusa.com/) Before we drove home,we played at a playground where Sarah had met a friend to play with. We would definatly recommend the pirate adventure! (http://www.chesapeakepirates.com/home/homeindex.html )

Baltimore Aquarium

On July 26, we spent the morning at the Baltimore Aquarium. Grandad Phil and Tutu Gail joined us for our adventure. We saw many different exhibits that included, river, ocean, and rain forest. Both Sarah and Sean enjoyed looking at the different animals. We ended our tour by watching a dolphin show. After we saw the aquarium, we went to a restaurant called J. Pauls and ate wonderful Maryland Crab cakes! Our next day trip will be to Annapolis, MD to go on a pirate adventure the end of August!

Since Sunset Beach:New windows, splash park,pool, had many play dates and Potty Training!

Sarah with Fancy Nancy Crown after she earned her potty treat of Reese's Cup.

Since we got back from our beach trip, we have gotten new windows, gone to the splash park and pool, had many play dates, gone to the library, and have started potty training.

We got our new windows put in the week we got back from Sunset Beach. Its has made a huge difference. Our AC doesn't have to run as much and the house is quieter. You don't hear every car pass by! Its been great!

We have enjoyed going to the pool and splash park in our neighborhood. We have a great splash park within walking distance of our house. We have met friends there and have had a great time. Sarah has really enjoyed the pool, she likes to swim around and jump into the pool. She will start swimming lessons later this month. Sean really enjoys splashing and kicking his feet in the pool.

Sarah has really enjoyed getting together with her school friends once a week, doing various activities such as Kid N motion, parks, etc. Also She has had fun playing with neighbor kids and other friends. We have enjoyed taking picnics to the pool or splash park with friends.

My parents have been here for two short visits. On the latest visit we went to the library and checked out books. Sarah and Sean both are doing the summer reading program. Both kids have read 12 books so far. Sarah and Sean both enjoy reading!

This past weekend, we crowned Sarah a big girl with a Fancy Nancy crown. (Target now sells Fancy Nancy accessories) Sarah is now wearing big girl underwear and is doing really well with using the potty. She only had one accident on Sunday. Her incentive to become potty trained is a bike with training wheels that she will get to pick out from Toys R US soon. She can't wait to go shopping for it.

Sean is now scooting on his belly pretty fast, so the gates will go up tonight. He is also talking more with saying Mama, Dada and other sounds. Its fun to hear him talk since he sounds like Sarah,but with a deeper voice.

Our next trip to see the sites in the area is to Baltimore, MD to see the Aquarium with Tutu Gail and Grandad Phil on July 26Th. We are looking forward to the day trip!

Sunset Beach Part 3: More Conchs!

Today we were at the beach just after 8am to take advantage of low tide again. Gigi and Mark found 8 more live conchs. Once everyone got to see them we put them back. Since it was low tide there was a nice big tidal pool to play in. Sarah enjoyed playing with the other kids on the beach in the tidal pool. She swam and had many boat rides. Sean enjoyed splashing in the water and watching the tiny fish by his feet. They nibbled his toes which made him kick his feet in delight! After he played in the water, he took a good nap. After Sean's nap, he went in the boat for a ride. He had a good time!

Sunset Beach part two: Digging up conchs and olive shells

Today we were to the beach by 8:30am, so we could take advantage of low tide. As we were walking on the boardwalk to get to the beach, we saw a shrimp boat with a lot of dolphins following behind. This is the first time all week that we have seen dolphins. Since it was low tide, there was a sand bar that we could walk out to. Gigi started to dig up live conch and olive shells. We put them in the bucket of water with sand, so that we could show Mark and Sean once they got to the beach. Mark and Sarah put them back where we found them, so that they could go back home.

Sunset Beach

We arrived at Sunset Beach this past Saturday. The weather has been nice and the water is warm (80 degrees). Sarah and Sean have had a lot of fun playing in the water and on the sand. Sarah is fearless in the water. She requests to be let go in the water. Sarah has given us all good exercise chasing her! Sean has enjoyed digging in the sand and sitting in the water. The first time Mark put Sean's feet in he cried as he was unsure of the water. After a few more times, he really enjoyed it.

Yesterday we took a day trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. We ate lunch at Joe's Crab Shack and went to Ripley's Aquarium. Sarah enjoyed walking around the Aquarium twice. Sean enjoyed looking at all the fish. Once he had enough of the aquarium he fell asleep and took a nap.

After we came home from the Aquarium, Sarah, Gigi, Aunt Tracy and I went to the beach for a swim. After swimming, Sarah and I played tag on the beach. As we were running up the beach a man started to talk with Sarah. He gave us a whole sand dollar that his wife had found. We wondered what his wife was going to think when he came back without the sand dollar!

Last night we had a big storm with lots of wind, rain and lightning. We had a leak in one of the bedrooms with a couple of layers of ceiling coming down in the corner. We are supposed to have a good weather the rest of the week.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Today we went to the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, which is the Air and Space Museum annex in Chantilly, VA. Grandad came along with us for Family Day at the museum. For Family Day, the museum has pilots fly their airplanes in for everyone to admire and look at. Its both private and military planes that fly in. There was also a fire truck, ambulance, and hot air balloon there as well. Sarah got a free fireman's hat to wear. Sarah really enjoyed going into the C-17 transport plane, and the KC-135 refueling tanker. After we saw the planes, we went and saw the space shuttle. They have the space shuttle, Enterprise on display. On the TV screens, they showed the Space Shuttle Endeavor, which was returning from space live. We got to see it land, which was really neat. After we had a great time at the museum, we all went out to lunch at Texas Roadhouse. Tutu Gail met us at the restaurant for lunch. We all had a great time.