Peas in a Pod

My two babies enjoying the last lazy days of summer together. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! TG is officially back to work less than a week from now. We're going to make the best of our last 7 days of the summer of 2010 and we are looking forward to fun times with our family and friends this fall.

Sandy Tush

There's nothing quite so fun as a giant, neverending sandbox! Everyday it became a surprise to see how much sand would fall out when we took off her swimsuit even after a thorough rinsing with the showers outside the hotel.

Raking.


Surveying.


Getting her dig on.


Our little mermaid in the sand.


PURE. JOY.

My Hapa Hapas

There's no doubt these babies are mine. They both have my dark hair, brown eyes, tan skin.

No doubt that they are related. They look like twins separated by 2 years.

So as if you needed more proof, but I just have to say...

Get a load of my hapa hapas. Eat your heart out haolis!







ALOHA!

Boogie, Oogie, Oogie

Riley's fearless. Yawn you say. Been there, said that.

But even I was surprised that she wanted to boogie board. The day after she did it I was chatting with the lifeguard and she told me, "Yeah I was little concerned because the shore break was vicious yesterday."

Vicious shore break? Whatever. More like super fun in Riley's world. And yes she owns a rash guard from Hawaii courtesy of Gammy and I think she makes the cutest sufer girl ever. But we all know I'm biased. On to the action!

Heading out to sea.


Ready.


Set.


GO!


Riding the wave in.


She even wiped out a time or two. Even I would have stopped at this point.


But not Riley. What 2 year old do you know that would get rolled by a wave and go back again laughing for more?


PURE. JOY.

We Left Our Mark

Even if it was just a moment before the waves washed them away.

OBXcellence

Last week Gigi and Papa made my summer of 2010 dreams come true and took us all along on a trip to Corolla in the Outer Banks. It was everything a beach vacation should be. The weather was perfect, the water was cold, the sand was warm, and the beach wasn't too crowded. We rode boogie boards, built sand castles, chased crabs, walked in the waves, dug holes, filled buckets with seashells and took monster family naps. I loved every minute of it and was so sad as we drove away.

I would never have taken a trip like this with Riley at 3 months old, but Camden is so laid back and was super cooperative. He braved the sensory overload of sun, sand, waves and wind to give me plenty of beach time and with the help of family I got to spend some special time with Riley too.

At 2 1/2 Riley is the perfect age for a trip to the beach and she was just in seventh heaven. She spent every second she could with her little toes in the sand, of course decked out in the cutest pigtails and swimsuits you've ever seen. She basked in the attention of Gigi, Papa and Lolo and absolutely charmed the swimsuit bottoms off the lifeguard. There is something about watching her pure joy that just makes my heart melt. There was a lot of heart melting on this trip.

Miss you already OBX, hope to see you again next year!

My adorable family.


Her sassy pose just kills me. Where did she learn to cross the leg???


I had to hold him back from walking out to sea!


PURE. JOY.


Making fishes in the sand with her Gigi.


Busting a move with her Lolo.


After one of our many seashell hunts.


Marching down the beach.


Our little beach baby.


Hot, hot and hot.

Summer Lovin'

is happening too fast.

I can't believe it's already mid July. The countdown is on for me and everyday I have to remind myself that it will be okay.

Don't get me wrong. I love my job and it brings me so much joy to work with children. But I also love my other job as Mommy and wife.

Thanks to several things, not the least of which was the help and patience of an amazing family that became our pseudo family I was able to stay home this year. I got 365 days of almost one on one time with Riley and 10 months to simply enjoy being pregnant with Camden.

365 days is a long time. I thought it would be enough time.

And in some ways it is and in others, well its never enough.

I'm going to look on the bright side though. I got 365 days! One year full of love, hugs, giggles, kisses, absolute joy (and yes mind numbing frustration too) that I know some mothers will never get.

One blissful year with this little girl who is oblivious to the fact that we don't have another year like this was.

Mostly because she's too busy doing exactly what you're supposed to do in the summer.

Which is keeping cool in the blazing heat.


I'm working on keeping my "cool" too and enjoying these days we have. And hoping that she'll remember at least some of our special year together.

Wordless Wednesday

Seen and Heard

SEEN:
Riley + Fourth of July cake=

a bright blue tongue.

HEARD:
Riley's "bayoon" from Harris Teeter has floated up to the top of Gigi and Papa's very high ceilings. She has started to stack pillows on the couch in an effort to climb up and get it.

Riley: I can reesh it Daddy. I can do it. I knows I can.
TG: I don't think so Riley it's too tall.

Riley scales her pillow ladder.

Riley: Almost reesh it. Just leedle higher. grunts.
TG: It's too high Riley. Papa will help us when he gets home.
Riley: I can do it! Teamwork DA. Let's do teamwork!

I just love her strategy, ambition, and persistence.

We also love the Wonder Pets.