LBI 2017

Well "vacation" (there is no Vacation with kids- it's just everyday life, in a different location) didn't start off too well. We were about an hour into the drive, still in Maryland, crossing the Tidings Bridge when traffic went from 70 mph to a complete stop. Frederic was able to stop in time before hitting the guy in front of us, but the guy behind us couldn't stop in time and rear-ended us. Luckily, the kids were strapped in correctly and were fine (a good lesson for Luc because he's in a state where he wants his buckle low and belt loose. I was able to educate him that wearing the seat belt correctly is important, like how Mommy put it on, otherwise he would've been very hurt from this accident). I was the only one who go hurt. I got whiplash- muscle spasm in my neck, shoulders, upper and lower back, and brain swelling which resulted in what felt like a head congestion cold for a few days. The medicine I was on made me very sleepy, which had its advantage since we were at the beach with my parents and brother.

Aria's first steps onto the beach this year were a little apprehensive. She put her barefoot down on the sand and stated: "yuck, it's San-day!" She was scared of the ocean for the first few days, but warmed up and liked jumping over the incoming waves or running away from them. She had a blast playing with the sand and smashing every sandcastle we built for her.

Luc didn't use his boogey board at all this year and instead just wanted to be either in the ocean swimming with Daddy or playing near the water in the sand and getting buried. He also found sand crabs and captured them for the day as his pet before releasing them back into the water before we left.

 
We watched the same 5 movies over and over again.










We saw some sunsets at the Bay.

Aria pretending she's Moana, singing to the water.

Luc went fishing with Grandpa (and then Daddy tried to fish too!)

The kids had a movie night inside with their beach chairs.

Dave, Frederic, and I went to the beach late at night after everyone else was asleep. Nothing makes you feel smaller in the world than being on a dark beach. 

Thursday, my cousin Karen and her family came for the day to hang out with us! Aria decided just as we got to the beach that she wanted to nap. And of course I didn't bring her Dora doll. So I had to walk all the way back to the beach house in 90-something degree weather, holding her in my arms because she was falling asleep. My back still hurts.
The Coz-cousins got along great. I think they had a fun day together.

Then we finally went out to get some ice cream. The previous night we were planning to go but the kids were acting so insane they lost that privilege.

We also had to visit Schooner's Wharf, it's tradition!

Vacations are fun, but it's nice to be home, sleeping in our own beds. The four of us shared a room together and Aria was on a cot for the first time. She never wanted to go to sleep. She waited until Luc came to bed and then I had to stand in the doorway to make sure she stayed in bed and then fell asleep. They were never asleep before 9-9:30pm. Yawn! No evenings to ourselves or time to do much on our own. But at least this year Aria wasn't up at 5am. She slept til 7 and Luc slept til 8-8:30am.

The evening we got home, there was a street block party. So we pulled whatever food we had in the fridge and went across the street. It was a big turn out! After the BBQ and the sun set, they set up a white sheet with a projector and showed Moana. Aria went to be on time, but Luc stayed up til the movie ended- 11pm! He slept til almost 10am the next day. Sweet!

4th of July Weekend

We took advantage of the 4th of July weekend and did lots of fun stuff.

Saturday, Frederic and my parents, and my brother, came over. They sat for a workshop assignment I had to complete for my Health Coach certification class. Afterward, they stayed for a BBQ dinner, and of course Dave hung out with us on the deck til much later.

Sunday, we made plans to hang out with Luc's school friend, Kira and her parents. We met up at their house and jumped on the B &A Trail with our bikes. Even though it reached into the 90's that afternoon, the kids stuck it out and ended up doing about 8 miles. We treated them to ice cream and pool time afterward.

Monday, Frederic had to go into work because he didn't get the day off like I did. Luc reminded me that I had to take him to get his allergy shot since the office was closed on the 4th and Wednesday I had my own appointment after work. So off we went. Then I took the kids with me to the grocery store to get a few things for the beach (we leave Saturday! Yay!). The rest of the day was inside the house so I could get laundry and some packing done. When Frederic got home a little after 3pm, we all went to the pool with our neighbor. After the kids had a quick bath and dinner, Frederic took Luc with the neighbors to see fireworks.

Tuesday, the 4th, was a crazy day.

I decorated all the kids' bikes with red, silver, and blue metallic pipe cleaners.

All the kids came out by noon and the adults had planned a cookout for the court. We started making hot dogs, hamburgers, corn, etc. while they flew kites around the street.

Then we brought out the water guns and water balloons for the kids to get wet and cool off since it was getting very hot and humid. Then the parents decided to turn on the kids and start a water balloon fight.

All the water balloons like confetti on the street

 As the moms were planning how we were going to pick up all the water balloon confetti off the street (we used about 600 balloons), Maricela came up with an awesome idea. She suggested we make it a contest for the kids who could pick up the most balloon scraps into their own plastic cup. Whoever won got a prize (then all ended up getting ice pops). It was amazing. They cleaned up all the balloons and the parents didn't have to do anything. I liked this game the most!

Dinner time came around and we started the grills back up and made the rest of the food. I ran into the house and cooked up some mac n cheese for the kids too. As we were eating, it started to rain, then pour! We finished eating, cleaned up, moved into the garage while the kids either went in or ran around in the rain.
We moms got soaked trying to put things away when it started really coming down.

The best days are those where you don't have to get into the car and go anywhere, you hang out outside talking and joking around, the kids are entertained and playing well together, food is good and belly's are full. Clean up is easy because there are so many hands, and the wonderful company of our awesome neighbors makes the day fun and enjoyable.