The kids loved the beach the year. Alexis wanted to go to the beach the second she opened her eyes. Part of this was because she loves putting on her bathing suit. The other part of this was that she loves playing in the sand. Her favorite thing to do is sit in a big hole by the water. In the beginning of the week our family friends were there and so there were always lots of holes that had been dug for her to sit in. If no one has dug a hole she likes you to fill a bucket with water and then she fills it with sand. She makes what she calls pasta and places a big handful of wet sand in your hands.
Evan enjoys playing in a good hole but he really was into boogie boarding this year. Seth and Grandpa took turns standing out there with him sending him in on the waves. He would wipe out at times but then would get right back on the board.
We definitely logged a lot of hours on the beach this summer. Seth and I were very thankful to have Grandma and Grandpa to help watch the kids since neither of us can spend hours on end there.
Jill's mom got us tickets on a pirate cruise. Evan was scared (of course) but wound up having a good time cruising around and shooting the other "pirate boat" with a water canon. The pirates were funny and there was lots of singing and root beer which ensured Evan's fun time. Alexis was all about it too.
There was a little Victorian fair in town one day and we had water ice samples (quite a few of them) and the kids got to ride on some ponies. Alexis loved her horse because she had a pink mane and tail.
Grandma Nansteel bought Alexis a parasol which has proved to be a huge hit with Alexis and all of her friends.
We always try and get a good family picture but getting everyone looking at the camera at the same time is basically impossible. Here's our best attempt this summer:
We always go to the Cape May Zoo and this year was no exception. As usual it was flaming hot but we had a great time.
Mini golf is always a mixed blessing. There's lots of excitement but when it gets down to it there's a call for no score keeping (from both Mommy and Evan) and there's lots of pouting when balls don't go into the hole. Alexis just wants to walk around with the putter and the ball. She usually plays seven holes total and spends the rest of the time getting in everyone's way. Evan is working on hitting the ball into the hole as opposed to using the putter to guide it into the hole like he is playing hockey.
One of the benefits to this miniature golf course is it is right across from the arcade which Evan is obsessed with. He has been saving his tickets for the past 2 summers in hopes of getting a gum ball machine.
Something new this year: we were over by the lighthouse and there were a few men working on the birdhouses. We love birds so stopped by and it turned out they were tagging Purple Martin babies to track them through the years! Pretty amazing - and they let the kids hold the baby birds. They were so gentle holding them.
As usual, Wildwood was a trip highlight. We had another marathon trip there- we went in the afternoon and stayed out real late. The kids loved the rides and the food. Both kids love the bouncer rides where they take you up high and then bounce you down. They also really liked the bumper cars. Alexis laughed whenever she managed to get her car to bump into Evan. We always let them have birch beer with their pizza on the boardwalk. Evan has been looking forward to that birch beer all year. Alexis kept saying it was spicy but that didn't stop her from belting it down.
Alexis helped Grandma bake a blueberry cake. She has been waiting to make another blueberry cake with Grandma ever since she helped make one last August while Seth and I were moving.
No summer would be complete without a trip to Menz's. You have to really see Menz's to get the full picture. Let's just say Seth had deep fried lobster tails, there is a stuffed two headed calf, they make a strong drink, and the kids each get a bag to fill up with a dollar's worth of penny candy as part of their meal. Here are the kids with their post-feast lightsabers - I mean ice pops.
Another amazing summer at the shore -- thanks so much Nansteels!
