Carolina Sibling Tour 2011

So Coleson travelled to Las Vegas for a work conference last week for five nights.  Not looking forward to being home alone that long, the kids and I decided we'd head out too!  We took a really long weekend to visit the extended family in South & North Carolinas.  It went really well, the kids were GREAT in the car, we saw lots of family, had lots of fun adventures, and saw some new & exciting stuff.  It was a good trip, although we are glad to be home again and reunited with Daddy!

We left last Friday and leisurely drove to Auntie Sarah's, Uncle Christian's, and Maxim's house in South Carolina.  The kids played together so well; every time we are together, the boys interact a little more.  It's so neat to eavesdrop on their conversations and watch them play.  We enjoyed a yummy dinner with Uncle Tyler & Aunt Jennifer.  Thanks for driving up to see us and Happy Birthday to Uncle Tyler!

Saturday morning we left for Wilmington NC.  Once we got there we enjoyed walking around with Aunt Lolly & Uncle Brian.  The downtown/ river area is pretty cool and we enjoyed some yummy ice cream.  Laura was participating in some sort of young business women's event, so she had a dinner that night and Uncle Brian & I took the kids to Subway. 

Sunday morning we went to Wrightsville Beach and met up with Laura's friend and her son Cooper.  Ryan has been so cute talking about Cooper ever since :)  Both Ryan & Abby did amazing at the beach!  Unlike Destin where the sand is really sandy, the sand here was thick & packed & more muddy.  Apparently this is much more pleasing to little feet!  Both kids had a blast running around the sand and the water.  After cleaning up and checking out at the hotel, we walked downtown and had some delicious pizza followed by a boat ride on the river.  Ryan loved the boat ride and Abby feel asleep.  We then explored the Wilmington Railroad Museum before driving back to Rocky Mount.

We spent the whole day in Rocky Mount on Monday; nice not to have to drive!  We laid low around the house, walked the dogs, ate lunch, etc.  We planned to spend the afternoon at the park.  Laura has been talking about this awesome park and has wanted to take Ryan there pretty much since he was born.  So we finally made it to her house over the summer.  We started with a train ride around the park which the kids loved and then went to the spray park that Laura's been talking about.  It was wonderful and the kids had a blast ... for about five minutes before they turned the water off due to weather.  Boo!  :(  We were able to get in a little bit of playground time before the rain started, but so sad to not be able to fully enjoy the spray park.  Vacation caught up with us on Monday and Ryan was asleep about 6pm and Abby by 7!! 

Tuesday we started our trip back and drove to Maxim's again.  Once we got there we spent the afternoon playing and then went for a delicious dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. 

Wednesday morning we went to the Giggle Bugs bounce house.  It was lots of fun and the kids enjoyed running & expending energy!  Ryan loved the purple maze the best, despite Maxim telling him there were ghosts in it.  Abby's highlight was a little walker that she used as a bumper car to explore the place at top speed.  We then dined on the Pizza Hut buffet, yum!  After lunch, we made the three hour drive home and reunited with Daddy, yayy!!

It was a great trip, we had a blast, but also very happy to be settled back in at home with Daddy.  I love to roam, but love to be back home too :)  Happy Summer!!



Happy Birthday Nana!

Sunday afternoon, in addition to Father's Day, we also celebrated Nana's birthday!  Happy Happy Birthday Nana!  We picnic'd near Commerce, the halfway point to Sarah & Tyler's.  We found an amazing park and had a wonderful time.  There is a great river there, although we didn't realize how great, so we didn't have bathing suits.  Lots of people were tubing and splashing; we'll have to come more prepared next time!  They also had several playgrounds which the boys loved the most.  And Ryan found a great tree to climb!  For whatever reason, he's had it in his head recently that he wants to climb a tree and he asks at all the playgrounds.  Unfortunately, most places we go are clear-cut and don't have big trees.  So he was very excited to sit up in a tree for a minute. 

We enjoyed a yummy picnic and cupcakes for Nana's birthday.  It was great to see most all of the family- Nana, Pop-Pop, all of us, Auntie Sarah, Uncle Christian, Maxim, and Uncle Tyler.  We were sad Aunt Jennifer couldn't make it, but we hope you are getting better every day.  Hopefully we'll catch you when we come through on our aunt & uncle tour of the Carolinas! 

Happy Birthday Nana!  And Happy Father's Day to all the Daddies in our lives.  We love you all!!!

Soccer Camp

Last week Ryan had a soccer camp in Nana's neighborhood.  It was five days, 9am-10:30, and was supposed to be for three and four year olds, but I'm almost certain Ryan was the youngest and there were quite a few kids older than four.  The camp was British soccer with British coaches that travel the states teaching kids.  Ryan's coach, Coach Jonny, is from Liverpool England and was young enough that I am guessing he's a college kid on summer break, or is that holiday?.  Pretty cool way to spend the summer :)  Unlike the other activities he's done (ie Sportykes), this one was real soccer, not the kid-friendly version.  Ryan had a few moments here and there when I think he got real overwhelmed and between the complex instructions & the awesome British accents, I'm not sure he always understood.  But overall, I think it was a neat experience and I have no regrets.  And he went out on a high note- Friday was by far his best day and he did so good. 

Ryan's favorite drill was King Crab.  Coach Jonny would sit on the floor [British for ground :)] and pinch his legs together trying to get the soccer balls.  I'm not sure why, but Ryan loved the game and never tried to get away, in fact most of the time he'd just sit right down next to Coach Jonny and be a crab from the beginning.  Ryan called it "pinching people" or "where's my lunch" since King Crab would holler munch, munch, where's my lunch as the sign to run across the field.  Ryan also enjoyed playing with the cones.  By the last day, Coach Jonny had him figured out- when he'd count the other kids' treasures (soccer balls), he'd count Ryan's cones :)  Silly kid just couldn't leave them alone! 

Hopefully Ryan had some fun and got a few good memories out of it!  I think we'll wait a little while though before we do something quite this advanced again :) 

summer days driftin' away

I wasn't sure what to make of summer break; I was a little worried about not having any activities or schedules or plans.  But I love it!  It's been so great doing our own thing and relaxing and going with the flow.  This week has been a little different since we do actually have a soccer class to go to.  But the last few weeks have seen leisurely breakfasts, long morning walks with the wagon & stops at the playground, lunches outside under the umbrella, Abby's afternoon naps & watching Diego and Dora, lots of backyard kiddie pool playdates, hanging out with friends & neighbors, just enjoying summer & the heat!  Not having the stress of being somewhere everyday at certain times has been wonderful and we've certainly liked slowing down a little.

As I mentioned this week has been soccer class.  Ryan goes every morning this week for an hour & a half.  Yesterday he did pretty good, today not so good.  The coaches are from England and are traveling around the US this summer teaching camps.  So it's 'real' soccer, not the little-kid version that we're used to, and I think Ryan's been a little overwhelmed.  But tomorrow Grandpa's going with us and Nana on Thursday, so hopefully that will encourage him a little bit.  More on the class towards the end of the week; I'm sure it will get it's own post once we are finished :)

Future summer highlights include a road trip to see Aunt Lolly, Auntie Sarah, etc.- wish me luck- the kids & I are going by ourselves!  And in July, a big Crouse family week at the beach, yay!  Also Maxim coming to town for a week, woohoo!  Otherwise, we'll just be chillin' and enjoying life and soaking up as much sun as we can!

Tubing!

Yesterday we went out on the lake with our friends James, Rachel, & Jake.  They have an awesome boat and were nice enough to take us out for a wonderful morning on the water.  We all had a chance to go tubing and everyone did great.  Abby & I went first (don't worry, it was very safe, we went very slow, the tube was more like a couch, and I had my arm around her & through her life jacket the whole time).  Abby started off great- cooing, waving up to the boat riders, and really having fun.  But then .... she fell asleep.  Yup, you read that right.  Out like a light, sound asleep.  I suppose it was the perfect combination of squinting in the sun & splash and the lull of the waves, but yes within three or four minutes, she was snoozing.  Still can't believe it :)  Next Ryan & Daddy went out.  Ryan did great; so proud of my little buddy!  He was all smiles & waves.  So much fun!  After the tubing, we anchored in a little cove, ate some lunch, and hung out in the water.  There's just something about being on the lake; it was pretty much perfect!  Thanks to our great friends for sharing their boat!  :)

strawberry fields forever

Last Friday the kids & I went to a farm with our friends Alicia, Asher, & Andrew.  We had such a great time!  First we picked strawberries and it was so much fun!  All the kids loved it, even Abby.  I guess I was most impressed with her since I didn't think she'd actually do it (I don't know why, she does everything else, so why not pick strawberries?!).  While she didn't understand to only pick the red ones, she seemed to catch on to the rest.  She was right in there with the boys plucking strawberries and putting them in her bucket.  Of course she would also pull them out and play with them and dump them and all sorts of other crazy Abby things.  And the strawberries were absolutely delicious!  We ate them all by Sunday, soo yummy!

After the strawberry picking, we went on a hey-ride.  I must say, city-slicker that I apparently am, it too was awesome.  We drove out into an open meadow with some cows grazing off in the distance, very quaint & pretty.  And then they feed the cows.  Right there at our wagon.  Cow crazy awesomeness.  A whole herd of cows practically within arm's reach.  The kids loved it!  (alright, so did I!).  We continued on for another stop under a huge oak tree where we heard a couple of stories & sang some songs.  And then a few crafts- coloring & painting, which Ryan did wonderfully.  I think he used more crayon on his pig then he has in his whole life :)  We then got to pet some little animals, most notably the bunnies where the kids could get right in the cages. 

After the hey-ride adventure we picniced under another huge tree.  As they finished up, the kids took off towards the fields where they were flying kites, chasing the rooster, and just looking for trouble :)  It was such a great day, a great farm, and great fun.  I was so impressed with how nice everyone was, how affordable it was, and how the family that owns it lingered around & made us feel welcome the whole time.

Fearless

So long lazy days of summer.  No more loungin' in a lawn chair while the kids play in the backyard.  Yup, Abby has mastered the playset and Mommy's stress levels haven risen accordingly.  Our sweet baby girl has no fear at all and thinks the ladder is the coolest thing ever.  Same thing at the neighborhood playground too.  Climbing is just awesome if you're Abby.  We've definitely got our hands full with this little princess :)  I'm pretty sure it's a classic case of what comes around goes around though, right Mom?!

Granddaddy's visit

Granddaddy and Jo-Ann came to visit us on Wednesday evening.  They were in town for a tradeshow in Atlanta and were able to sneak out and come see us!  The kids really loved having them here- they played in the playroom lots and showed off the new playset.  Unfortantely it's been in the high 90's so we didn't get to stay outside too long; even I'm starting to think it's a little hot :)  When Coleson got home, we went out to dinner at Olive Garden, yumm!  We then headed home for a little more play-time as well as some brownies & ice cream.  It was a quick visit, but a nice one!  Hope to see you guys again soon!

Destin!!

We are so lucky that Coleson's mom & Jim have rental property in Destin!  When we find out it's not rented, off we go!  We spent a wonderful and long weekend on the beach for Memorial Day.  Coleson was in Dallas last week and due to weather he didn't get home until about 2am Friday morning, so his boss told him he didn't have to come in to work, yay!  So we packed and left after lunch on Friday and actually got to Destin at a decent hour.

We walked the beach road sidewalk every morning.  We had a great time, although it's not quite what it used to be!  Two kids in tow, one of whom can talk and tell you when he's tired or would rather be at the pool, makes for a little more of a challenge :)  But it was still wonderful.  Ryan rode in the wagon two mornings and biked the other two while Abby strollered.  After our walks we would head to either the beach or the pool.  Ryan really liked the waves, especially the first day when they weren't as choppy.  He wore the bright pink float the whole time and usually had on his googles too- quite an adorable sight :)  Abby liked the ocean too, although she did not like her feet to touch the sand at all.  She loved kicking in the waves though, which made for quite a workout for us- hunched over holding her at just the right kicking height- her feet couldn't touch bottom and waves crashing in her face aren't ideal either!  Both kids did good in the pool, Ryan a little better than Abby. 

After a fun morning, we'd head up to the house for baths, lunch, and naps.  In the evening we usually went somewhere- walking Destin Commons and the Baytowne Wharf.  Both places are also great for kids- playareas, a train, treehouses, a Merry-go-Round.  One afternoon we stayed in and grilled out and played on the new deck.

We ate lots of good food too.  We dined at Zoe's Kitchen, which we'd never been to before.  It was yummy and fresh and I had wonderful spinach roll-ups.  And of course we ordered pizza from Jordano's.  If you know me, you know I love me some pizza, and this is about as good as it gets!  Another Destin favorite is Pompano Joe's where I always get Mahi-Mahi and this time we also shared a slice of Key Lime Pie.  I love that it's right on the beach and we can sit outside.  And what would a trip be without Whataburger?  :)

We stayed through Tuesday afternoon; we just didn't want to leave!  We got back pretty late Tuesday night, but it was worth it for one more morning walk and trip to the pool :)  It was a fairly long trip for us, but I'm already missing it of course!  I love the beach and summer!