The Beach in June

Our little fam of four convinced Daddy to take over a week off of work so we could escape to the coast for some R & R. 

Ten days free of business calls, emails to respond to, bills to pay, and floors to clean replaced with family memories made at the beach.

Time spent building sandcastles, collecting seashells, and surfin' the waves.  

Typical McClain - having a blast riding the waves!

Hang ten dude.

This girl was in her element.  She was the happiest I have seen her and seemed completely at home.  While she is cautious of the big waves rolling in, she loves to run in and out letting the tide chase her.  

My loves.

Beach girl. 

They had a blast carrying water back and forth from the ocean to make their own "swimming pool." That's one way to tucker these energizer bunnies out!

Love those smiles! 

I noticed this week that whenever McClain was heavily involved or concentrating on something, he would stick his little tongue out.  Travis said that Uncle Daniel used to do the same thing as a child.

He would have stayed out here all day.

Beach babies.

While the beach is wonderful, the children enjoyed having a swimming pool to take a dip in each day.

Notice McClain's arm bandage?  That stinker sliced his finger horribly by smashing sister's nightlight in his bare hand the day before we left for our trip.  After a last minute trip to our pediatrician, we went to extreme efforts to keep his finger clean, dry, and free of sand while at the beach.  While it was a chore staying on top of it, it certainly didn't slow our little swimmer down.

We love time with Daddy!

Daredevil McClain getting tossed in the air.

Not scared a bit!

Look mom, no hands! 

Lucy Mills has improved leaps and bounds in the pool.  She couldn't get enough of "going under" and swimming.  She even asked me to take her floaties off and we had so much fun practicing swimming like the big girls. ;)

Jumping off the side without holding our hands was also a new venture this summer.

While it took a lot of coaxing, big girl took the plunge!

And wanted to do it over and over and over.

We enjoyed beautiful weather the first half of the trip, and then some clouds rolled in causing storms the last few days.  These two were entertained with coloring books, markers, playdough, Curious George movies, and of course, each other. Mommy and Daddy hunkered down to finish watching our latest obsession, Lost. 

And when all else failed, running the hallways and pushing the alligator (elevator) buttons was a blast.

All in all, we enjoyed a happy trip away making memories as a family with our sweet babies.

Lucy Mills literally cried as Travis was packing up the car to come home.  Lucky for her we return for round two next week!

(I am going to start putting my watermark on my pictures to protect these images.) 

Superman

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's Superman McClain! 

A friend of mine from Lucy Mills' preschool made this adorable Superman tie for McClain.  I thought I'd snap some pics of him sporting his very first button down shirt and tie.  Quite the handsome little devil if you ask me. ;) 

McClain is officially two and a half this month, and so much of what he is doing these days causes me to shake my head in wonder at the wild ride of being a boys' mama.

Like the day we were packing to leave for the beach for ten days and he grabbed the lightbulb off sister's nightlight and smashed it in his tiny hand.  I cleaned his wound up and took him to Dr. Joey's in case he needed stitches.  Luckily he didn't, so McClain and all ten fingers still got to go to the beach.  We just had to keep his hand dry and clean...quite the challenge at the beach with an active toddler.  

After Lucy Mills taught master climber McClain how to escape the confines of his crib, Travis took it down and now McClain is officially sleeping in his big boy bed.  This is the first time in nearly four years we haven't had a crib in the house and a pack and play when we travel.  

He adores his sister.  Follows her everywhere and beebops right alongside her.  He is also figuring out how to push her buttons.  Lucy Mills was instructing him during lunch one day and I heard McClain fire back Sissy, you not be sassy to me!  You be sweet.  Get her buddy. 

Being this Superman's mama is a fun ride that keeps me laughing along the way.  

Gymnastics Fun

Every other Friday Lucy Mills and McClain go to a local gymnastics center for toddler free play.  It is an awesome way for them to bounce, tumble, climb, and swing to get their energy out.  They both love it.  Perhaps they have the gymnastics gene like their daddy? 

Preschool Program

Right before preschool let out for summer break, all of the Three's classes hosted a special performance for their families.   I was slightly concerned that Lucy Mills would see us in the audience and want to come sit with us or not engage in singing her songs. But she sure surprised me and was a wonderful performer!
  Here she comes walking in.  She spotted us and gave us a sweet little wave as she passed by. 

She got a seat right out in front! 

Mommy was able to capture some sweet smiles before the show started.

She remembered all of the words and motions that went along. 

She played her instrument sticks right on cue.  Not missing a beat. 

Daddy and Suggie were in the audience too!
(Sorry I caught your eyes closed Gee, but wanted to document that you were there!) 

Lucy Mills with her assistant teacher, Mrs. Kim. 

We love Mrs. Pack!

Most of her sweet class  

And now silly faces! 

Her buddy Hampton wanted to get a picture with Lucy Mills. 

I was so proud of Lucy Mills that night.  I know it sounds silly but tears filled my eyes the moment I saw her take the stage and begin singing.  Three and a half short years ago all seven pounds of her was laid on my chest for our very first meeting.  As I sat there watching her sing I was overcome with how much she has grown and what a gift she is in my life.  

How am I going to get through the big things if I get emotional during the preschool events?!?