Memorial Day Weekend…

We had a great Memorial Day weekend. We are so blessed and thankful to live in a free country protected by so many brave service men and women, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day is always a great kick-off for the summer, and this year was no exception.

We tagged along to the beach with my in-laws and had a great time. We’ve had so much going on this year, that this was the first weekend we’ve even been yet and I don’t know who was more excited DW or Annabelle.

We were packed and ready to go as soon as Devin got off work Friday afternoon. AB packed her new “Ariel Mermaid” playset, and I laughed so hard at her and Mames playing with it on the way. AB was “Ursula” and she would say (in a really creepy voice) “I’m Urrrrrsssssuuuuullllaaaaa…. Give me your voice!!!”  Then Mames would take Ariel and hit Ursula with it. It was so funny to watch them. I can’t wait to see how they play together over the next few years.  

We stopped for dinner on the way and of course made a quick stop by the Super Target when we made it to Port Orange. It’s impossible for me to go straight to the condo without stopping by there first. :)

We made it to the beach in time to see the full moon over the water and it was gorgeous.

AB woke up at 6:45 on Saturday morning – that NEVER happens. (It’s EARLY for her, if she’s up at 8:30)—She was so excited to be at the beach. DW & Pappy worked on a few little projects before we headed down to the water though, because that’s just what they do. They’re always working on or fixing something. None of us complain though, because who likes broken things? :) 

We slathered the girls down in sunscreen, loaded down like pack mules and picked a spot on the beach.

Mamie wasn’t a fan of the sand at first. (I remember AB & Cooper being the same way for a little while… they all went through the “eat the beach sand” phase, followed the next summer by “hate the beach sand” phase and then finally turned into beach babies… Mamie warmed up to it after a while, so I am sure by the end of the summer she’ll be beach bum, too).

We played in the sand, in the waves

and then AB was ready to jump in the pool.

She made a friend in the pool, named Cain. He was such a cutie and he was highly impressed that she was four years old, just like him, and could swim on her own. He had the best time throwing his pool toys as far as he could and getting her to swim out to get them. I don’t know if we should be concerned that all the little friends she’s been making lately are little boys! :)

I was highly impressed with her swimming, too, and its official, at 4 years old, she already swims better than her momma. She swam ALL DAY LONG… either in the pool or in the ocean.

We went to the pier for dinner that night at Joe’s Crab Shack. AB slept the whole way there, and the whole time before our food came out. She was exhausted from all that sun and and swimming.

Nobody enjoys food more than Mamie.

After dinner, we walked down the boardwalk and AB got a balloon animal – she picked a parrot, but named him “seahorse.” ???

The night was still early, so we decided to go to the dog track. AB loved it when we went last summer with my mom and aunts – she was so excited to go back. I seriously LOVE it, too. It’s hard for me to even believe that I like it as much as I do. But all three times I’ve been have been such a hoot.

When we got there, we noticed all kinds of Batman decorations and soon found out that a dog named “Batman” was having his birthday and was also retiring that night. They went all out and Batman even had his own birthday table set up with balloons, posters, pictures and you could even get a button to wear. (Which AB did). :)

She also got to pet a (retired) racing dog… (I am so not a pet person, but our girls love them…I’m sure when they get older we’re going to have to bite the bullet and get them a (outside) dog or something…or maybe just a fish… :)

We had a few minutes before the races started, which was good for reading up on the dogs in the program and making our picks. We all have different theories when it comes to picking, but apparently Pappy’s was the best, since he won the most that night. He did make one VERY WRONG pick though, when he changed the dog Nie-Nie had picked for the very first race. She made her choice, but he didn’t think it looked good, and so he changed her number when he went to make the bets. Turns out, the dog she had picked WON!!! He’ll never live it down. We tested my brother, Beau’s, theory on picking the dog that shoo-shoos. It worked a couple times, too.

After one of the races, we saw where you could go in and actually view the dogs before the race. That was fun to see… The handlers bring them in and put their jerseys on them in this room…

After the second race, “Batman” came out for his retirement recognition and then they served cake. Note the lady serving cake was wearing a Batman t-shirt. I’ve decided that my calling in life might be working at the dog track and planning the dogs’ retirement and birthday parties. :)

I got a piece for the girls to share – it was the only way we could get Mamie back in her stroller. :)

We stayed for the first five races and then called it a night.

Sunday we woke up to another beautiful day. We had breakfast on the pier and even saw a school of stingrays swimming below.

We followed our normal routine of the beach first and then the pool…

Mames loved the little ledge on the pool and wanted to spend most of her pool time hanging out there…

A picture with the camera timer is always funny to try to get… But we managed to finally get one (even if it is a little blurry) :)

I took Mamie up around lunch time and got her fed and laid down for a nap and then had some lunch myself… My FIL had gotten me my recent favorite find, so I figured that would be the PERFECT lunch. I was right, too. It was the BEST served in a styro-foam cup and eaten on the balcony! :) The rest of the crew stayed on the beach through lunch and got some food from the snack trailer. I enjoyed a magazine on the balcony while listening to the waves crash back and forth. Perfection.

Mames woke up long enough to get about another 45 minutes of playing on the beach in before it was time to pack up and head home.

Monday morning we swam at Pappy & Nie-Nie’s house…(its always a plus to have neighbors with a pool) :)

Mames is totally warming up to the swimming thing- I think she’s going to be just fine this summer! :)

 

Afternoon naps at home were the next item on the agenda.

For dinner, we headed to Grammy & Pop’s for steaks. We spent the evening watching the girls play on the back porch.

Mames would play outside all day long if she could.

She was living it up getting to have her own juice box. She proved, though, she’s definitely not ready to have one inside. :) The girls always think they have to take a bath at Grammy & Pop’s before we come home. I will admit it’s pretty sweet watching them splash and play in the same tub that I did when I was a kid. Plus Grammy’s way more fun at bath time than I am… she blows bubbles for them to pop and lets them drag out EVERY tub-toy they have. Mean-Momma is all business most nights at bath time. :)

We headed home after their bath, and both the girls enjoyed their animal crackers on the drive back. Pop had gotten them both a box. These were my favorite when I was a kid and I’m happy to say my girls love them, too. :)

We’re all looking forward to a great summer!!

~amw~