Another summer has come and gone with the blink of an eye. We decided to take another trip to Aunt Barbara and Uncle Bob's to send summer on it's way and welcome fall. It was another wonderful weekend of family time.
Emma and Rebecca both had a wonderful time swimming in the lagoon.
Another boat ride also proved really fun for both the girls. Rebecca just wanted to lean over the edge of the boat and watch the water. Brian held on to her really tight and she loved it. On the way in from the boat ride I jumped off the boat to swim home and Emma decided she would jump in as well. We both swam all the way down the lagoon.
The cool breeze in her hair
3 going on 13
Emma also got her first "pet." Uncle Bob so graciously handed Emma a bait fish of bunker that was bleeding out it's side and had lost it's lower lip. Of course she wanted to keep him and bring him home. We had to go through and explain that we didn't have any salt water at home and that he wouldn't survive, but for those 15 minutes she had a pet.
Emma's pet "Fishy"
"Fishy" up close and personal
The release back into the wild
While Uncle Bob and Gramps spent the day fishing, Brian, the girls, Aunt Barbara and Nana went to the Cape May County Zoo. It is a wonderful zoo that I highly recommend to anyone who is in the area. It is a free zoo, but one of the differences from other small zoos is that it has giraffes, zebras, lions, etc. There are definitely more exotic animals than Elmwood Zoo. We had a picnic lunch and played on the playground. Both the kids (and adults) had a perfect day.
"Wow, they are really hungry goats."
Brian and Emma admiring the bald eagles
Rebecca pointing to a turtle.
This albino burmese python saw Emma coming and came to greet her. She loved it! Like mother like daughter. She said she wanted it for her pet. I said fine, but Brian gave a very adamant NO!!!
I had the chance, while the girls were taking naps, to go for an hour long swim with Aunt Barbara. What a great time that was! Not only did we have the chance to catch up, but also got a great workout in. It was truly rejuvenating and refreshing. I could get used to that lifestyle for sure.
As Brian and I face the reality that our firstborn child will be heading to preschool next week we are shocked to think that Emma is old enough for this new chapter, but sure enough she is already 3 1/2 years old. The other kids in the neighborhood went back to school yesterday and I really spent most of the day thinking about them and wondering how their lives are changing. We have a few first graders now and several kindergardeners as well. I am trying to enjoy all the little moments with my kids as before we know it they will both be in elementary school.
Although we all wish we could have done more things during the summer, it included some really fun times. Everything from bike rides on Daddy's trailer to swimming in the pool, to trips to Maryland, camp outs at Grandpa's house, trips to AB and UB's house, trips to see cousins at Nana and Gramps' house, and it all comes down to spending time together as a family.
As I wrap up this post and look ahead to school and wrestling and shorter daylight days, I will spend many moments looking back at this summer and thinking of many fond memories that we as a family have created. Many thanks go to Brian, who without his love and devotion to his wife and children, none of the aforementioned events would have happened. He is a true, faithful and devoted husband and father to us and for him I am thankful every day.
2 comments:
As hard as it was to send my own kids off to school. I almost get teary thinking of Emma starting school too. It's been great watching all the kids grow up! Emma is such a sweetie, and I know she will do great in school. I feel for you....I know how hard that first "letting go" process is and to have someone other than you and Brian being her primary influence, if only for a couple hours. Sending Nathan to first grade with all the older kids felt like releasing him to a pack of wolves. I had my little panic attack, but now that he's been through a couple of days...I know he'll be OK.
Prepare to cry the first day you drop Emma off at school ... I kept thinking - what if she needs me??? (and she had JUST turned 3!) And of course, Audrey was fine. But it is a very sentimental kind of day. I'm glad you had the chance to make lots of memories. It's a good reminder to be thankful. I am trying hard not to wish away the time as I know this is just a demanding kind of season w/ the kids. Soon I'll put them on the bus and wonder what to do with myself (okay, maybe not ... I can think of plenty of things to do!!) :)
Post a Comment