Annual Whine. . . Weekly Brag. . . .

Okay, seriously, this is my least favorite time of year.  It is hot, humid and there is ragweed.  Did I mention it was hot????  Really, this summer has been sooooo hot!!  All I can do is endure each day and pray that September is cooler and comes quickly!!  Just over a month to go. . .whine. . .whine. . .whine. . ..

But, on a bragging note, my little man is soooo smart!!  On the way home from the beach, he just started doing this little thing that he had memorized at school:

Five little monkeys swinging in a tree, teasin' Mr. Alligator, "Can't catch me!  Can't catch me!"
Along comes Mr. Alligator, quiet as can be (the ears are turned down and the voice goes soft for this line)
SNAPPED that Monkey right out of the tree!!  (loud voice and two hands motion of an Alligator snapping)

It was sooo cute!!  And, of course, we counted down until there were no more monkeys swinging in the tree. . .reminded us of 100 bottles of beer on the wall. . . .

Aidan also apparantly likes to do the roll play and dress up as the Construction worker boss. . .like Daddy. . .The Director sent us this picture taken as his school.  Daddy says he can be a Contruction worker boss. . .AFTER he finishes Law School!  : )

Beach Trip July 2010

Well, beach week 2010 is coming to a close. But, we really had a good time. It was so nice to get away, just the three of us, for a week of fun in the sun!

We arrived in Emerald Isle a little after 2:00 on Saturday with only "Are we there yet?" numbering in the low hundreds. . .Aidan even waited until we were almost in Fredericksburg before he voiced The Question for the first time. . .

While Mommy got us settled, Daddy, Aidan and Maggie went out to greet the beach properly.

Then, we were off to dinner and grocery shopping (along with everyone else who had arrived that day!)

Sunday, we only had the morning on the beach.  It stormed pretty good that afternoon and evening. . .but, Monday through Wednesday were hot, hot hot!!!!

Buried in the sand. . .everyone does this, right???

Riding the waves!

Drippy ice creams are the best!

Painting seashells with water colors is a fun occupation when you need to be out of the sun!

Maggie didn't like being left out of the fun, so. . .

By Wednesday afternoon, we were all feeling a little like enough sun for a bit, so we packed ourselves up for a road trip to Beaufort, home of Blackbeard the Pirate and the recovered Queen Anne's Revenge!

We walked around town a bit and looked at the houses and the boats and then went to the Maritime Museum where Aidan loved the Pirate stuff, but was not so crazy about the Diver in the old fashioned diving suit!!!

On Thursday we decided to remain out of the sun a bit more and went up to Pine Knolls to the Aquarium there. . .loved it!!  We saw the huge fish tank filled with all kinds of fish, including sharks, and even got to pet some skate, sting rays and turtles!!

Back in the car, we drove down to Swansboro and the Hammocks Beach State park where we took a Ferry Ride over to Bear Island.  You can get off the ferry there and walk the 1 mile across the island over the beach side, but we decided to stick with the boat and try that beach some other time.  We saw a couple of Bald Eagles, Egrets and some turtles on the ride! 

After a couple of hours on the beach on Friday, we packed up the car and headed home. . .as with all good things, they ultimately come to and end.  But, we all had a good time with memories to sustain us until next time!

Another Quick Update From The Beach

Another quick tease of our time here at the beach. . .we're heading home tomorrow afternoon, a little early due to a funeral for one of Pat's work buddies--long story!!

We've had a great time and will still be here until about noonish tomorrow. I'll update you all when we get back. I have tons of great pictures too!!

We've had a great week, even with some strange things happening (not here). But, I think we'll be glad to be back in our "real home" and in our own beds. At least Daddy and I will like being back in our own bed! : )

Beach bums. . .

Hey y'all!! We're having a blast here at Emerald Isle, North Carolina. We had some storms Sunday afternoon, but it's been beautiful weather since then. Went to the Maritime Museum in Beaufort today and then walked around a bit. I have tons to share, in word and in pictures. But, gotta run, so here's a quick tease!! : )



Aidan and Maggie are having a blast! So are Mommy and Daddy. . .

Mama Bear Growls. . .GRRRRRR!!!!!

I am frequently stunned by how small Aidan is (he is big for his age, though), especially when I see him from behind like this. I think we tend to forget he is still just a little guy because his personality is so big and he has filled our lives so much!

But, he is just a little guy still. . .a fact that became even more apparrant this week in regards to his school. As previously posted, I had become concerned because several of Aidan's classmates have already moved to the Pre-K class. I know Aidan is ready to go and I was curious so I asked what was going on.

The story I got was what I expected: space came open and several kids were moved so that that space could not be taken by others who were not already attending. A little curious of a response, but whatever. That conversation occured on Tuesday. Put together with the information I had received a few weeks ago about the groups in Aidan's class being rearranged for behavioural and developmental needs I started to realize this has been going on for a while. . .and none of the parents of children not going forward yet were told!

I was completely unprepared when Aidan started making comments such as he missed his friends and why can't he play with them anymore???? In talking to Aidan, I discovered that yet another child is transitioning early. . .my back went up. Mama Bear arrived with a major growl.

Let me preface this next part by saying I was not trying to get Aidan moved early. He is fine where he is and he will begin transitioning to Pre-K on August 23rd. I just wanted to know what was going on and to be told the truth. How can I talk to Aidan if I don't know what is going on????? I let the Director of Aidan's school have it.

I told her what I thought and she was quite clear how angry I was that I was not told by the teacher I questioned a few weeks ago, by her the other day and that she didn't expand on the additional child when we talked the other day (that child's mother found out like I did and insisted that her son be moved right away). Boy was I mad. . .I told her I expect to be told the full truth of what is happening so I am prepared to help Aidan with whatever changes are going on. I told her that we like this school, the teachers--especially the one Aidan has right now!, and the children. We don't like not being told when changes are happening.

I think she got my message. . .loud and clear. I hope.