Water Baby

Bobby and I have just returned from almost two weeks in Wilmington. We had a great time, and Bobby is certainly a little water baby. Every day we spent either in the "pool", the water way, on the boat,or at the Seaside Club. I was hesitant about the ocean because I had heard that kids were afraid of the waves...well not Bobby. As soon as we got there, he was running straight for and into the waves. He was delighted and laughing out loud as the waves were crashing all around us and knocking him over. It was so much fun for me to watch him be so fearless. But also a bit scary because I realized that I can truly never take my eyes off of him, nor do we sit still for more than a minute of two. And my back was paying for the wave jumping the next day:)

He was also never a stranger to any child playing anywhere around him on the beach. He would just walk over, sit down and look at the kids, as if to say, "so what are we playing?" Fortunately, most of the other kids were very nice and tolerant of Bobby.

But overall, the summer has been wonderful and I am so grateful for all of the time that we have had to play and enjoy the outdoors. And of course the messier we get the better. I have decided that there truly is little that a mother won't do for their child...I do not like to sit in the sand, but I spent quite a bit of time with a bathing suit full of sand!!

Kayaking

Today my dad and I went kayaking while Bobby was napping (thanks mom for listening for Bobby). It was so nice to be out on the water, and it was such a different experience than being out on a boat. It is so peaceful and quiet, just gliding along. You even notice things that you don't see when you are on a boat. I am quite the inexperienced kayaker though, and was lagging behind a bit...but dad led the way and I followed! Although we only went about a mile or so, it felt like a much longer ride. It is quite the workout on the arms, but once we were flowing with the tide and wind, I felt like a speedy gonzalez!

Digger Time

Poppy made one of Bobby's dreams come true...he was able to get up close and personal with a dig, dig!! G.G. and I watched as Bobby and Poppy drove around and moved dirt in the front end loader. I'm not sure who had more fun, Bobby or Pop! I was afraid that the loud noise would upset Bobby, but he had a HUGE grin on his face the entire time. Every time that Pop loaded up the bucket, Bobby would watch as it was lifted up and then yell "GO" to begin the dumping...it was so great to see the two "boys" having so much fun together. I'm sure that we will be visiting the "dig, digs many times in the future.

The boys in action

Finnish Baking

As part of our week in Wilmington, my mom, sister, Tuula, Jennifer and I had a Finnish baking session. We made Karalian Pies, which is a Finnish pastry that has always been a favorite in our family. It was a wonderful morning and a treat for me to experience the baking process, as I have never been able to make it to the baking sessions before. I must say that it was quite involved, but once everyone had their duties straight, we moved quickly along. Tuula of course had everything ready and organized. The finished products turned out delicious (all 200 of them) and were very pretty if I do say so myself...thanks to "the pincher", "the stuffer", "the cutter", "the roller" and "the over seeer"!!

The group in action


"The pincher and the stuffer"


Who knew that an Italian pasta maker would be used to make Finnish pastries!


And the finished product...

Summer Time

I haven't put a post up for quite a while, so here is a quick catch up on all that has been going on. Bobby has been thoroughly enjoying all of the time that we have been spending outside. He loves to have play dates with friends or just being outside in the swing. Unfortunately, there have been a few days when it has just been so extremely hot that we haven't been able to go out. So on those days, I try to find something fun for us to do indoors.

My dad up for Father's Day weekend, and he and I ran the Race for Cure. This is the eighth year that we have run the race, and it is something that I always look forward to. Although I think that this year he was in better shape than me!! The hills in Raleigh get me everytime.

This past weekend Bobby and I went to VA to visit Emilee and her family. We spent the first night in Christiansburg and then ventured to the river in Clifton Forge. It was wonderful to see Mr and Mrs Houff and to have time for the kids to all play together. Thanks to all for such a wonderful visit!

Here are some pictures of the past few weeks. We are heading to Wilmington next week, so I will be sure to post something from there!


Bobby enjoying the sprinkler

Bobby, Brayden and Brady enjoying some pool time (Bobby was of course the 1st to jump in!)

Three naked boys taking a minute for some cheerios



Feeding duck on Father's Day

Dada and his boy

Water Time Fun

This weekend Bobby and I went to Wilmington for some summertime fun. And we weren't disappointed. My dad put the boat in the water and we went out on the boat everyday. This was Bobby's first time on a boat, so we started out really slow. As my dad slowly increased the speed Bobby became more and more excited...he absolutely LOVED it!!! And now if we slow down for some reason, Bobby immediately starts saying and signing "more, more, more." He was so cute and had such a great time, and he of course has to sit right in Papa's lap to help him drive. Thanks dad for putting the boat in and taking us out every day. I think that we will be doing this a lot this summer.

This was also Bobby's first time officially swimming. He had a blast. He loved being in the water and able to splash. Although he really can't move too much with the life vest on, he still has fun. His favorite part was to be held up on his tummy, and then "kick, kick, kick", it was so fun to watch him kick his feet.

I'm sure that we will have many more opportunities for some fun on the water as the summer progresses!





Bobby and Papa enjoying the boat





Swimming with Aunt Tanya





And some time in the pool



And of course the prince doesn't actually walk down to the water, he gets pulled in the wagon!

Sprinkler Time

Today I was trying to wear Bobby out so that he would take a nap (which didn't work). So I set up the sprinkler and let him have at it. He had a great time. At first he was not too sure of why there was water shooting up from the ground, or too sure about what he was supposed to do. But once he got the hang of it...he was off! He was running in and out of the water, trying to drink the "sprinkles", and generally just enjoying himself. But he would not let go of the hose nozzle once I took it off to attach the sprinkler. I'm sure that we will be spending a lot of time in the water, as it is already in the 90's and only the first week of June!!