Birthday Singing for MeMa

Happy Birthday Mema! It would take until next week for you to get a card from us out here on the Eastern Shore, so we sent a video instead. Grace selected the outfits for their performance. I hope you enjoy it! We love you and can't wait to see you in less than 2 weeks!

Soundtrack for Grace's life

Grace discovered my MP3 player the other day. The last time I used it was for a car trip so it was loaded with kids songs. She placed those headphones on her head and for the next few hours wore her tunes inside, outside, and to the store. We all know Grace lives to the beat of her own drum but now she has her own personal soundtrack.

Grace running around with her tunes.

A boat trip with a "butterfly"

Last Saturday we took our first family boat trip out of Wachapreague Marina here on the Eastern Shore. Sarah Elizabeth and Grace had a great time going FAST in the bay on our way out to the ocean. We found one of those barrier island beaches we have been hearing about. The beach reminded us of Masonboro Island back in NC, but more remote. You should see the size of the shells Grace and Chris found.
Later we meandered through the marsh. We were able to wind our way right to the spot our house looks out on and see where Chris goes to pump water. It was a great family afternoon and as we headed back to the boat ramp Sarah Elizabeth fell asleep in my arms.

Unfortunately we did not have a good spot to keep the camera so we didn't get any photos of the actual trip. But here are two of Grace before we left the house. She continued to wear her butterfly wings over her life jacket in the boat.

"Wait for me, I'm coming!"

"I'm ready to go!"

Time with Ben and Jackson

Grace, Sarah Elizabeth and I spent 5 days with Ben and Jackson while Kathy was in Europe with Eric and Linda. I hope that when Grace and Sarah Elizabeth are 6 and 9 they will be as helpful and well-behaved as Ben and Jackson were.

Jackson played so well with Grace and Sarah Elizabeth. In the pool he encouraged Grace and gave her "swimming lessons". She was very motivated to do what Jackson asked her to do, especially when he promised a "treat".

Ben enjoyed pushing 99 lbs. (the other 3 kids) in the cart at Target and he helped coordinate Grace and Jackson when we had to clean and vacuum my car for a potential PT Cruiser buyer. ( No luck yet on selling the PT).

It was a great week, Grace and Sarah Elizabeth really enjoyed the time with their cousins.

Sarah Elizabeth with an ice cream sandwich from Uncle Jeff.

Lunch at the pool.