Wrightsville Beach Week

We had a fabulous week at Wrightsville doing little except beaching it, eating tasty dinners alfresco, and playing with the girls. The week went by way too fast. Many thanks to Donna and Marty for a great beach trip!

Packing a family of four for the beach is not fun, but I got this cute picture out of it.

 

Someone really enjoys getting dolled up. :)

 

 

Addie's first steps in the ocean!

 

Collins stood and stared at it for like 20 minutes warning random beachgoers walking by, "Stand back! It will burn!"

 

 

 

 

 

There's not much down time at the beach when you have two kids, but I did manage to get through the majority of "Gone Girl" and loved it!

 

 

Lemonade Stand

I was a little too eager to help Collins set up her first lemonade stand. What a fun, iconic summer activity that every little kid has to experience. She didn't really grasp what was going on at first- how to flag people down, the cost of the lemonade (she told people that it was either free or $1), what to say when they left (she told them "you're welcome")- but by the end she was a confident entrepreneurer. She got quite a few customers and got to drink a LOT of pink lemonade- overall a very successful first outing. The whole thing was adorable.

 

She spies her first customer! (Woody from across the street)

 

 

 

 

She downed a lot of her profits. :)

 

A fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

 

The End of "Nastics" Class

I'm so glad we signed Collins up for the 2's gymnastic class. I think she was a natural! Not only did she have fun running around using the equipment, she expended a lot of energy, and she really learned how to do some difficult exercises. She was a strong jumper all year (the trampoline was definitely her favorite) and finally learned how to do a "pop up" by the end of the year. She perfected her frontwards roll, gained enough confidence on the beam to finally let go of my hand and conquered her fear of jumping into the foam pit by herself. I was so proud of her!

Our final class was at the end of May, and they did an "End of Year Show" for all the families. Collins got to show off all her moves and then get a medal at the end. So cute.

Miss Allison and Miss Jeri were great teachers.

 

 

I'm so glad we did the class with Jack and his Mom. We had so much fun hanging out with them every Wednesday morning!

 

 

Now that we've done two years of gymnastics class, Collins is ready to try something new in the Fall. Dance class here we come! :)

Fruit Paradise

Collins's new go-to activity is to "make something" in the kitchen. Must get that itch from her parents. Here's what her creative process looks like...

First, she goes into the kitchen and pulls out her favorite Pink Princess cookbook (thanks Emily!)...

Then she pulls out bowls, measuring cups, spatulas, whisks and starts coyly demanding ingredients. "I think the recipe calls for...chocolate syrup...sprinkles...mayonaise...milk...raisins...cimanin (cinnamon)- you name it, she asks for it.

Then she whirls them together, usually freezes it, and then eagerly asks us, "Do you want a finger test?!?" Each creation has a unique color and odor to it. We say yes and then grin and bear it. :)

Each creation has a name. The first one was "fruit paradise" (which is still my favorite). We've also had a "mint chocolate pie" and a "pink smoothie" and last night's creation was "gingerale". This one was unique- basil, vanilla, water and cheddar bunnies. Then she froze it.

 

I love that Collins is into "cooking". I just don't love the big mess that inevitably goes with it!

Addie at 4 Months

Little Addie is not so little anymore! She was up to 13 lbs 11 oz in weight and 24 1/2" in height at her 4 month check-up. Other big moments during the fourth month...

Smiling big at anyone who gets up close and talks to her; fingers constantly in her mouth; happy as a clam when sitting in someone's arms facing outward to look around; trouble with dry and sensitive skin; lots more "talking"; responds enthusiastically to music and singing; starting to interact with toys and play mat; and longer stretches of sleep- she almost hit 6 hours one night!

My two favorite pictures of Addie from her fourth month...

 

And her official four month photos...

 

 

 

Signs of Summer

Getting dirty...



 

 

loud music...



 

lots of ice cream...

 

trying something new...

 

cat naps...

 

thrilling rides...

 

whimsy...

 

water sports...

 

and just hanging out.

 

Looking forward to three more months of summer fun!