Our house was a fun mix of chaos, laughter, diapers, and sand this week, as we hosted Carrie and crew and David's mom. It was so nice to have them here, and I think it is safe to say that everyone was completely exhausted by the end. The memories we have are great, though, and I am so thankful that the cousins got to hang out together.
Here are the kids enjoying our 'drive in' of sorts (thank you John and Alison for setting up the movie!). You can't tell in the picture, but it did get dark and the bats did come out for the show.
After a 14 hour car ride STRAIGHT THROUGH, the crew continued to be good sports when they were once again loaded into the car to head to the Greensboro Children's Museum. They explored for hours and still didn't see everything there. Here they are in the giant chair (I refer to this as the 'miracle shot').
Crazy driver!
Forever a fireman. . .
Cousins, best friends, rivals. . . what can you say? They are 4. . .almost 5.
Do not try this at home. Please.
Carrie hanging 10. . . practicing for the beach.
Delaney catching some waves, too.
Merritt once again turning everything into a climbing wall. . .
We also spent some cool time at the pool with our little fish. . .
Gavin decided that day that he wanted to learn to do flips into the pool, so with the lifeguard's blessing, he put forth a good effort to learn flips. He accomplished a modified dive/somersault.
That night, we celebrated Gav's b-day (a little early) at Bocci's, with pizza, live music, and lots of kids running around to keep everyone occupied.
Gavin's b-day wish was granted - a new bike! He promptly sped around the courtyard.
Look how surprised he is! I have been told that David used to make this same move. . .
Ah, the ocean. Ah, the ocean with 5 sandy kids under 5 years old in a complete downpour with lightning, with sand toys, cooler, towels, bags, food, baby carriers, and a VERY long walk back to the car. Sigh.
Anyways, after storm #1, we emerged sandy and soaked from our cars and came back out to the ocean to enjoy the beach for a couple good hours. Gavin, Delaney, and Carrie all boogie-boarded for the first time, and David kept the kids very busy by launching a kickball into the waves and letting the kids capture it when the waves returned it to shore. Try it sometime - it's actually pretty fun.
Just as storm #2 was approaching, Gavin unknowingly got up close and personal with a jelly fish and received his first jelly fish sting, which apparently hurts REALLY REALLY bad. FYI - rub wet sand on it and soak in ocean water, and follow up with a McDonald's ice cream cone. Healed.
We ran and climbed in Duke Park together, and enjoyed the shade of the big trees there.
Grandma with the kids (we missed you Grandpa Bud!!). Hard to get a pic with everyone looking, but the next three seem to cover all bases.
After playing at a park in Chapel Hill, we all went to Locopops to get yummy exotic popsicles. A wonderfully refreshing gooey mess!
It was so great to have family here and the house was so quiet and empty when they left. Looking forward to the next time the cousins rule the house!
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