New Hairdo Anyone?

I walked into the bathroom this morning to finish getting ready for church and found Jackson and Sarah getting into all or her hair bows. Adam came in and they decided to "fix" Sarah's hair. Jackson stuck the pink bow on top, and she actually kept it there until I officially fixed her hair. Maybe Jackson needs to fix her hair every morning. I sat down on the toilet to fix Sarah's hair and Adam came over with bows in hand to fix my hair. He decided that I needed every color in my hair. We goofed around for a few minutes and then put all the hair bows away.

Adam adding yet another bow.

I think a black one was going on that side.

Isn't that the best hairdo you've ever seen?

Beach Bums for a Week

We went to Hatteras last week where we had so much fun! I first must apologize for all the pictures. We got a new camera and ended up taking over 1000 pictures- yes, 1000- and I had a hard time narrowing them down to just a few to post. So, you get to enjoy a lot of our pictures.
Luckily it wasn't quite as hot at the beach as it was at home and with the constant breeze the heat we did have was quite bearable. After a quick dinner we headed straight to the pool at the condo we stayed in. Sunday and Monday were spent playing on the beach. Tuesday was the only day for rain so we stayed off the beach and drove into Nags Head. We played on Jockey's Ridge and then went to Digger's Dungeon where the Grave Digger Monster Truck was born. We got to stand next to some really big trucks, watch them work on a few, and even took a monster truck ride. Very much a boy thing so Sarah and I just hung out like good little sports. We spent the rest of the week on the beach and were not ready to leave on Saturday. To stay as long as possible we decided to visit the Hatteras Lighthouse before heading off the island.

Day 1

The spot we chose to play on the beach was within sight of the Lighthouse.

We found a big lake made at low tide by the ocean. The kids loved riding on the kayak. According to Adam it was a paddle boat and Sarah is riding the "Boogeyman board". When he wanted to fly the kite Adam asked to go kiting. It's so fun living in his little world!

The lake was only about a foot to a foot and half deep on one side and Sarah felt like she was in one huge baby pool.

Adam wanted to go paddle boating which translated into Kevin pulling him across the lake. Sarah always wanted to ride, too.

This little Garfield rake was Sarah's favorite sand toy. We aren't even sure where it came from!

There were all kinds of little fish and other creatures living in the pond. Jackson loved throwing the net and seeing what he caught. Adam loved picking up the fish and putting them into the bucket. He kept adding water to the bucket until all the fish jumped for freedom. He couldn't figure out where all of his fish went.

We went in a little after lunch for naps and then came back out after dinner so Kevin could fish. We went to a different part of the beach where there wasn't a lake. We assumed Sarah would be a little fearful of the ocean waves. Ummm... NOT! Here Jackson is taking it easy while he waits for a fish to bite.

This is one of Sarah's more calm moments. She kept going further and further into the water. I think she probably still has handprints on her wrists where I was holding on to her so tight.

Day 2

This is one of my favorite pictures.

This time Kevin and Jackson went back out to fish without me, Sarah, or Adam.

Day 3

The four of them are on top of Jockey's Ridge. They kept climbing up and then falling/rolling down.

Adam and Jackson enjoyed watching the hang gliders. They really should have put that sign in a different spot. It kind of ruins the photo opt.

The boys are standing beside one of the three monster trucks out in the field.

Kevin and Jackson took a ride on a monster truck. They said it was lots of fun!

Adam was supposed to ride on the monster truck too, but chickened out in the end. Here he is standing and watching with me and Sarah.

Day 4

Today, Adam, Jackson, and Kevin left the lake and went over to the ocean to fish. Adam, caught the first one this time. Kevin said that all the people around them started cheering for him.

While the boys fished, Sarah napped.

Sarah was acting very sassy after dinner this night. This is one of the many funny faces she made.

Day 5

Cuddling on the couch before heading to the beach.

We went to the local Wings the night before and Adam wanted to get this dump truck and sand toys. He pushed that thing all over the beach (and even shared it with Sarah).

Jackson watched some older boys skim board the day before and wanted one at our trip to Wings. Here he is practicing in the lake.

Day 6

Adam walked Sarah across the parking lot at the condo over to the truck. They were so cute, we had to get a picture.

At high tide, the ocean would start spilling over to the lake. Jackson was a little disappointed that high tide gets pushed back a little each day. Here is jumping onto the skim board from the side of the lake.

Sarah sat here and played in the sand for a long time this day.

Adam is standing on top of his castle. He would make those little castles from the sand molds and then stomp all over them.

Sarah took another nap on the beach. When she woke up, Adam was having some goldfish. She wanted some, so she squished herself next to him in the chair.

Jackson would take his skim board and paddle acroos the lake to the "deep side". The ocean started spilling over right before we were leaving. We let him have a few tries with skim board on the rushing water. It looked fun, but I'm sure I would have lost my balance.

Kevin found some crab pots in the condo's storage. He and the boys set the traps and actually caught some crabs. Most of them got away but we did cook one.

The condo was right on the sound and had hammocks and swings along the water's edge. It was really a beautiful place. We were shocked at how nice it was. The pictures online didn't do it justice.

The Last Hoorah!

Before heading out towards home, we stopped to admire the Hatteras Lighthouse. Jackson had lots of questions about how they moved it so we thought a visit to the museum would help answer those questions more correctly. We couldn't climb the lighthouse because Sarah and Adam are too short. Besides it was, according the ranger, the hottest day of the year, and I didn't want to go up in that un-air conditioned tube. It was probably a gorgeous view from the top though.

Jackson, Sarah, Adam, and I are the little people you see standing in front of the lighthouse.

Here is a close-up view of us in front of the lighthouse.

Smith School Awards

At the end of every school year, Smith School has an awards assembly. For the fifth graders, it's a really big deal. There are tons of awards and they make sure everyone gets something. For the Kindergarten through fourth graders, it's not quite as special. The little ones watch as the fourth graders get most of the awards. This year was a little different for Jackson. He earned the Perfect Attendance Award. He was on time to school every day this year!

Mrs. Gooch hands him his certificate.

Girl's Weekend

I know the pictures don't quite go with the title of this entry. While Sarah and I were away for a girl's weekend Kevin took the camera with him, so I don't have any pictures of the girls.
Sarah and I picked up Mom and Nana and headed to Emily's condo in the mountains where she and Ivey were waiting. Jamie and Natalie joined us on Saturday. We had so much fun! Sarah loved watching Ivey laugh. When someone made Ivey laugh, Sarah would start laughing too. We shopped, bonded, and had a birthday party for Emily.
Kevin doesn't like to be home alone when I'm not there. He decided to take Jackson, Adam, and the dog to Hanging Rock to do a little hiking. They hiked down to the waterfall where they rested and played in the water.

I'm waiting for the day when Adam realizes he doesn't have to "cheese it up" to smile.

Jackson has this hiking business down pat!

Adam's Fourth Birthday

Adam's birthday was on a Sunday so we started it off by going to church. After a quick lunch and a nap, the boys headed outside to warm up the Slip 'N' Slide and the sprinkler for the season. They were having too much fun. Sarah and I sat in the shade blowing some bubbles. Since we didn't go out for lunch we told Adam he could choose a place to eat dinner. He changed his mind about five times on the way there. We were first headed to La Cocina, then to McDonald's then to Blue Ribbon, Ruby Tuesdays and I finally stopped the car and made him make a final decision. We ended up at La Cocina. both Jackson and Adam wore hats while the waiters sang to them. We did not have the camera with us because we thought we were just going to McDonald's when we left the house. Adam opened his gifts when we got home which consisted of a new game for his new Fisher-Price iXL, a surf board for the pool, some new pajamas, and a new soccer ball.