Stepping Stones and Sand Art

Crafting is an everyday activity with Lorelai and Miller during the summer.  Over the course of a few days they made stepping stones and sand art.  Somehow I misplaced the final pictures of their stepping stones, but at least you can see the artistic process.

 

Dr. Miller.

Dr. Lorelai.

Mixing up the Plaster of Paris was a time-consuming task, not to mention messy.  I ruined two bath towels.  :(  They had fun though, and that's what matters.

Even while actively engaged in this activity he still couldn't take his eyes off of the TV.

A few days later they got to fill up vials with different colored sand.  Miller had some help from me to make sure his colors stayed separated.

Lorelai added her colors meticulously then shook them up.  Everything ended up glittery gold.

Fun Before Florida

Before we left for Florida we went to Chick-Fil-A to meet a special someone.  Here is a picture of my sweet angels before the guest of honor arrived.

It's Elmo!!  Miller opted out of sitting with him, but did wave at him and try to give him a high five.

After meeting Elmo it was time to hit the play area.

Lorelai put her hands behind her back and pretended to be captured.  Not sure why.

Family portrait time.

Apparent miscommunication.  We were supposed to be making "surprised faces."  I did my surprised face, Miller made a silly face, and Lorelai smiled.  Still a fun picture.  :)

Down By The Seashore

Our first official day in Perdido Key was spent on the beach.  The kids had a blast playing in the sand, and eventually playing in the ocean.  Here are some pictures of everyone enjoying the beautiful sand and sun.

Heading down to the water to get provisions for sand castles.

 Getting buried alive...at least from the waist down.

Grandmother Catherine soaking up some rays and reading her Nook.

Having a consultation with the artist.

 Mermaid sighting!!

Getting An Early Start On Our Vacation

We arrived in Destin around 7 am on Sunday morning, but we couldn't check into our condo until later that afternoon, so my cousin graciously opened up her home and backyard (complete with in-ground pool) to us until it was time to head over to Perdido Key.  Lorelai and Miller adore swimming, and getting to spend time in the pool while hanging out with their cousins was the icing on the cake.

 Cannonball!!

 I'm #1!!

What makes a diving board jump even better? Innertubes!!

Trying his best to do a cannonball.

For Starters

We are in Destin for two weeks, and the first official day started with a preliminary testing out of the beach.  Since the word "go," Miller has hated everything about the beach...the sand, the water, the wind.  This year he seems to be warming up to it quite nicely.  Lorelai, our little water bug, has been enjoying it since our first trip down here when she was 1.



Taking in the sights.

Miller was too scared to dive in feet first (pardon the pun), but Lorelai couldn't wait to put her feet in the surf.

A man down the beach was fishing and had blue herons waiting for his daily catch.  The kids and I took a walk down there, but the birds had already filled up on fish and moved on.

I love this picture because it shows their shadows being cast.

 Before we headed back inside Miller gave the ocean another try.  He loved it!!  I love his expression in this one as his mouth is wide open and he's screaming.