One last memory from our Cape Cod vacation before we move on. Maile and I went to a store in downtown Chatham and picked up a kite. I’ve mentioned this before, but I love kite flying. Our Cape Code kite flying was short-lived (apparently there are endangered birds that are scared of kites so it wasn’t allowed on the beach we were on), but we had fun while it lasted…
Getting things setup with my two little helpers...
Great success! We are airborne...
Just a little girl and a string to the sky...
A perfect picture.
I think someone is telling us she is ready for ballet…
(Click here for the video.)
So it’s Tuesday, not Thursday – but one of my favorite videos came across my Timehop app and I had to repost. From 5 years ago today…
Man, time flies…
(Click here for the video.)
The best part of our vacation to Cape Cod was that we were joined by Grandma Jill and Papa Mike for the first part of the week and Auntie Elyssa for the whole thing!
Only thing better than family time? Family time + ice cream!
And yes, plenty of time playing with Auntie's old dolls with Grandma Jill...
Swinging with Grandma Jill
All the ladies on the see saw...
Selfie time with Auntie Elyssa!
Family Picture (Maile 6, Lauren 2.5)
Last week after the PMC, we headed to Cape Cod (Chatham specifically) for a week of fun with Grandma, Papa, Auntie Elyssa and some other friends. We rented a great house for the week and spent a lot of time on the beach. We’re not normally a big “spend every day at the beach” family – but we went for it this time and had a blast.
The beach we spent our time at was called Ridgevale Beach. It was an awesome beach for families – one of the best I’ve been to (outside of Hawaii, of course ;). On one side there were tide pools that the kids absolutely loved running through and searching for crabs. On the other side was a solid beach and a sand bar that was fun to swim out to. Water was warm and calm and we let the girls run wild – and they loved it.
Watch out beach, here comes trouble...
... and she brought her friends Maile and Papa Mike too!
Papa Mike assisting with some serious hermit crab mining...
The tide pools were perfect for Lauren to run and swim around in...
The only way we could keep them still...
A great beach is even better with great friends like Jordy!
(Apologies for the lack of posting this past week – we’ve been on the east coast for the PMC – see below – and vacationing on Cape Cod. Been spending good time away from the computer, but that has messed up my posting schedule!)
This past weekend I rode in my 5th Pan Mass Challenge. Last year, Maile joined me in Boston for the PMC while Mommy and Lauren stayed home. Maile, Grandma and Papa Boston met me in Boston after I took the Ferry home from where the ride finishes in Provincetown. That was pretty awesome.
This year was even better! Christine and both girls, along with Grandma and Papa Boston AND Auntie Elyssa all came down the Cape and were actually there at the finish line when I completed the 192 mile ride. I had never had anyone waiting for me at the finish and it was everything I hoped it could be. I’m truly thankful that everyone trekked all the way out to the very tip of the Cape.
We had a great ride and it was an awesome weekend once again – and even better, this year, we rented a house out in Chatham and have been enjoying some vacation time this week (more on that to follow)…
Knowing I was able to see this crew at the finish got me through the last miles!
Maile and Lauren got a kick out of all my riding gear...
One more - because it was that great 🙂
I ride every year with my best friend, Ryan - and I wouldn't be doing it at all if it wasn't for the guy on the left, Papa Mike!
For the past few months, Maile has become very intrigued about money. She has a little purse that her Aunt Suzy gave her and she has it filled to the brim with all the coins she’s collected from various places (around the house, on the street, allowance, etc.) She likes spending her money too – and not just on toys, “Daddy, I’ll buy the ice cream.”
After camp today, Christine decided to take Maile to the bank to teach her a bit how it works and also convert all those coins into cold hard cash.
Some serious money counting going on here...
According to Christine, she went up to the teller and told her what she wanted to do. And in the end she came away with 10 bucks! More than we thought was packed into that little purse of hers.
That’s a lot of Shopkins (well 1.5 packs anyways). What’s a Shopkin? Well, that’s a story for another time…
Last week Maile attended Camp Galileo and the focus for the week was around art and music (right up her alley!).
A guitar art piece that Maile made at Camp Galileo
For their final project, Maile and her campmates made their own one-man band contraption. For those who read this that I grew up with, it totally reminded me of something Pete Sawin would be proud of!
Maile was a great big sister, letting Lauren have a try too...
This is so cool - when do I get to go to camp?!?
As a side note, every day Maile’s counselor sent a little note home with her. They always praised her for her “determination” – I thought it was a nice touch and a cool way to provide praise. Here’s an example:
Maile: You were super determined in science today! You worked super hard on your harmonica even though it was difficult. But you didn’t give up! 🙂 You’re Awesome!
(Click here for the video.)
Maile had crazy hair day again at camp and the girls in our household turned it into a family affair. Definitely felt like odd man (literally!) out – but it was fun to watch all the girls get ready. I imagine only the beginning and can already hear the “dad, get out!” shouts 🙂
Mommy was working on Maile's hair, so, of course, Lauren lent a hand with Mommy's hair...
Things got pretty serious when we moved to the bathroom - needed to sort out exactly which braid got which color.
Success!
Lauren too!
Crazy Hair Day 2015 in the books!
What are you doing back there?
What's for dinner, Clarice, I mean, Mommy? Fava beans????
