Vacation on the Jersey Shore

No, I did not see Snookie. (from the Jersey Shore reality show). That show is not a depiction of my fond childhood memories of the Jersey Shore. I have been going there since I was a baby. Haven't missed a summer. It's the best!

This summer was extra special. We got to meet the newest member of the family, my nephew, James Michael who was born on June 24th. So sweet, so small. Katie was very interested in him. Andrew, well, he wasnt all that exciting to him. He was much more into his older cousin (by 5 months), Charlie.

Katie, so proudly, holding James

The four grandbabies. Charlie, Andrew, Katie and James.

The proud Godmother

We had perfect beach days, there by 11am, exhausted the kids followed by a long nap. We made lots of swimming "pools" and castles, collected shells, and went "in the deep", as my kids called it.

Digging, Making cupcakes.

My favorite beach picture.

Cool dude

Grandma. Oh no a wave!

Swimming in "the deep"

Sandy. Crunchy ocean dried hair. Love it.

An Ocean City summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to Gillian's Wonderland Pier - the rides! My kids, spoiled as they are, went twice in one week. Once with 2nd cousin, Audrey (18 months) and once with cousin Charlie.

Katie, Andrew and Charlie

Audrey, Katie and Andrew

Andrew's first roller coaster. Katie is a pro.
My little thrill-seekers. They didnt get that from me!

Science mixed with F-U-N

At the start of "our summer" (which is the day we set foot in the United States), Katie and Andrew received 10 caterpillars and a few dozen ladybugs from their Grammy and Grumps. ( In kits, of course)

As most of your know, when we are in the US, we travel a lot. Well, so did the caterpillars and ladybugs. They went from New York to New Hampshire to Pennsylvania to New Jersey. It wasnt the easiest of things. Neither could be in direct sunlight, get any condensation on their habitats or, of course - be dropped or manhandled.

We were very happy that almost all of the ladybugs matured into adult ladybugs and that all 10 caterpillars turned into Painted Lady butterflies. It was a great learning experience for both kids, but especially Katie. She checked her bugs every morning and told everyone about how they had changed. Did you know that ladybugs don't look like ladybugs until they are in the adult phase? I didn't. Before the adult phase they look like ordinary black little bugs, almost like an ant. We watched the caterpillars turn into chrysalids and hang from the top of the cups and then carefully moved them to the netted cage (picture below). The first cocoon hatched (?) on the drive from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania. It was VERY exciting! (I was relieved that I hadn't screwed up and killed them, honestly)

We set them free on our last day of vacation in New Jersey. It was a great end to "our summer."

Happy Birthday to Grandma!

My parents, brother, sister in law, nephews and our family were lucky enough to be together again for my mom's birthday. Third year in a row. Celebrating 60-something!

Andrew, Katie and Charlie
(I have no idea why Katie has that on her head!)

Fish!

Katie has always LOVED swimming. When she was just 18 months old, she would jump off the side, go under, pop back up with a huge smile on her face and then swim to the side of the pool. (with a swim bubble on). Three years later, she is still enjoying the water and swimming unaided.

Swim lessons in the Netherlands, like everything else, are different. So, I decided when we were back she would take lessons. She took lessons Monday through Friday at 8am the first two weeks we were in New Hampshire. Yep, 8am, but I figured that we might as well since we were all up between 4-6am due to jet lag! She was the youngest and smallest in her class but the best student, most determined and the one with the least amount of fear!

Katie in the lead!

Here she is jumping off the diving board. The other children - all boys, all older, all taller - either did not jump at all or had to have the instructor walk out with them and talk them through it.

That's my girl!

Two and a Half

Andrew turned two and a half on July 24th. We landed in Boston July 23rd so it has taken me this long to get around to updating the blog!

At two and a half, Andrew weighs 24.4 lbs and is 34.5 inches tall. He is at about the 50th percentile for both.

He is a very curious, energetic and active boy. And, with those traits, he almost always has a bump or bruise somewhere on his body at all times. Just this past month he chipped both of his front teeth! His knees are both scraped up at the moment. On top of being very busy, he is also very chatty. He has been talking in full sentences for a long time but still confuses his pronouns. "Me want to go to the playground, me not tired, me no do that" Very cute, in my book :)

Andrew and Katie play very well together, but also fight extremely well together. Andrew is quick to tell me "Katie started it." I think I will be hearing this (both ways) for many many more years!

Here us a picture and a short video clip from our family celebration on his Half Birthday.