Beachin' it 2011. Part Deux

This year at the beach was the best one yet.

We didn't have crazy baby schedules to work around, didn't have tons of baby gear to drag around,

just two big girls who wanted to take it all in.

Now the picture above really says alot to me about my two daughters.

Lillianna, my sensitive, sweet, sometimes very shy daughter LOVES EVERYTHING about the beach.

In general, she loves all things outside so at the beach she truly comes to life.

She constantly laughs and smiles as she builds, digs, floats, searches, gathers, and enjoys every moment.

Ellenie, my gregarious, sweet, and sometimes sassy daughter loves the beach for the more relaxing side of it.

She is most content when in the shade...enjoying a snack, a drink and maybe someone fanning her.

We found her like this alot.

Or maybe trying some relaxing Downward Dog.

I loved it most when the two of them would discover a new adventure...

a search for sand dollars, chasing sand crabs, or enticing a feathered friend...

a little closer...

"Mom, look how close we are!"

If we stretched out our arms I think we could...

Wait, Come back!

Beachin' it 2011. Part Uno

We hit the beach in June.  It was fabulous.  Best time yet.

We were all lovin' every minute of it.

Lovin' every minute of it I tell ya!

Fabulous friends

Though miles may lie between us

we are never far apart,

for friendship doesn't count miles -

its measured by the heart.

Earlier this summer, we spent a week with our dear friends in Columbus.

As it is with dear friends, we all picked right up where we left off...

as though miles and time had never existed between us.

My girls spent A LOT of time loving this stray kitten and

 trying to convince Miss Amy that she needed to keep it.

Every afternoon, Bes, Lillianna, and Ellenie ventured off into the world of Art Camp to create masterpieces.

No matter where we went, they just loved being together.

And so did sweet little Mae.

We loved seeing Bes as the big sister too.  She's a natural.

Swimming, playing, giggling, painting, talking, hugging.

A week full of precious memories!

Lots of dirt + lots of love = COUSINS!

More new pets!

A few rocks, some acrylic paint, and a few gooogly eyes...

one hour and two very happy little girls later...

we have several new, precious pets!

Polly Wolly had a Frog

Ready for something SuPeR DuPeR CoOl?

Cool beyond cool?

And cuter than cute?!

Those are two of the most incredibly TINY frogs ever!

And all their little brothers and sisters swimming around them!

We collected 20 something tadpoles out of a tiny pond

(aka rainwater collected in a tire rut)

and nurtured them to frogs.

Can you tell we were excited?!

I think I should be most excited and most proud of our tiniest pets yet.

You know, because I was the one who made sure they had fresh spring water every other day,

 made sure they enjoyed their feasts of boiled spinach,

and even removed all their yucky poop from the tank

 (a must incording to pollywogsworldoffrogs.com)

 with a nasal bulb!!

So yeah, I was pretty excited to see those tiny babies grow before my very eyes.

Here they are on Day 2:

Just kidding!

(Different day, different frog)

Love some summer

I would have sworn summer just got started...

now it's almost halfway over!

A little catch up...

The girls finished up the school year

with parties

and picnics

and popsicles.

Then we got started with all things summer...

staying in pajamas all morning,

running in the sprinkler,

staying up too late,

and

LOTS and LOTS of playing outside!

YEA SUMMER!

Our new favorite reality show...

We have LOVED having this nest in our backyard.

Right on top of our meterbox, where we have full, open view.

One Sunday afternoon, we got to watch as these little guys popped out.

They got so used to us and Boone, that they really hoped we might feed them.

Luckily, their very attentive parents took care of that....all day long.

Just like all babies, they needed around-the-clock care.

  

It makes me tired just watching.