Beach & Balloons

I know I'm behind schedule - but isn't that what summer is all about?!?

We started off the Balloon-Sighting parked in the Wal-mart parking lot -

anxiously waiting for the first balloon.. and when we saw it -

the kids were pleased!

My parents - who left 3 minutes ahead of us - told us to drive down the road and we would see 100 more.

so we did

and we did

The trip down Rt. 22 was interesting to say the least..

everyone just stopped

stopped dead in the middle of the highway

Granted - there were 50 hot air balloons hovering VERY CLOSE to the road..

but still - a little odd to come to a dead stop in the middle of the highway.

we hit the motherload pulling into RVCC..

there were SO MANY balloons landing there.

AND - fun fact:

Hot Air Balloon people are just a smidge higher on the food chain compaired to Carni-folk

a smidge

a teeny smidge

the kids were pleased to say the least -

they were so happy to see the balloons from the car - but to get out of the car & run among the balloons...

heaven!

we saw a few balloons - and then they walked over the hill - and about 20 of them had landed in the field already, and these were the ones waiting to come down - or aiming for a good spot to come down

boy was a little stunned

and girl was ecstatic


boy was still a little scared...


MOVING ON TO THE BEACH...
Kids & I headed down to the shore to see Auntie Marcia Marcia Marcia
and - business as usual - they woke up at the crack of dawn- when no one else was awake
so -we headed out!

TO THE BEACH-PARK!
boy headed straight for the big-kid-web-climber thing..
girl just bolted


more than a few times boy had to call for me
"Mommy, may you please help me over here!"
at his moment of despiration - it's nice to know the boy has his manners


girl, on the other hand, insisted on shoeless knee-dragging up the old, splintery beach wood
*gasp*

it really is funny how 1 kid getting trapped on a jungle-gym

quickly turns into to 2 kids trapped on a jungle-gym

my view of the beach

and then we get to the sand!!!!!!!

I have learned...

first - I learned to dig a hole for the kids.. and they love it

Second- I learned - 2 kids- 2 holes necessary

Most recently -I learned- AS SOON AS YOU GET TO THE BEACH

you walk to the water (don't wait for them to warm up)

and immediately dig 2 big holes -just out of water's reach

this way - they stay cool, the water will not destroy the hole

and it gives me a chance to sit after the 2+ miles pushing that double stroller at 7 am

but an even better reason.....

and boy napping means one thing -

girl gets to have some only-child-time... which is her FAVORITE

out to dinner...

and over to Lucy the next day!!

I don't know where girl was for these pic's

I had gone home the day before the Lucy visit

I know the trip prior to this one.. girl & Auntie Fran spent some special Lucy time together..

? so maybe she was heading up the group tours? I don't know..

2 kids & Auntie Fran!

Girl striking a pose (notice different dress - it was the previous trip..)

and I'm thinking this day was a toasty one.. judging by the red-face factor..

They look so happy to be home!

and a cute one of boy... paranoid his buddies will fly out the open window in the car...