Virginia Beach Break

We have wanted to get away to Virginia Beach for a while, as Josh's uncle has a home there, just steps away from the beach.  We finally got our schedules to line up for a quick jaunt down to the ocean and had an absolutely lovely time, even with the brief visit.  We are definitely hoping to return sometime soon for some relaxation!

A view of the pelicans who fly over the house across the street multiple times a day.  

A few of the beach from just beyond the "First Row" of houses - absolutely gorgeous!

Bailey's first dip in the ocean

Playing with the sand, while touching the sand as little as absolutely possible.

Goofy girl 

Later we stopped by the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.  The park contains over 9,250 acres, situated on and around a thin strip of coastline typical of barrier islands found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Habitats include beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields, and marsh.  The beach was only a few feet away on the other side of the strip of land, and yet they seemed so far apart in their differences.

Michal was very happy to say hello to these "duckies." 

A view along the walkway in the marsh areas.

Michal with her Great Uncle Bill and Cecile.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change

Most people who know us know that we chose to use reusable, cloth diapers with Michal.  In the beginning, we encountered many who predicted that this would be short-lived, but to the contrary, we have been going strong for 20 months.  It is no surprise then that we opted to participate in the Great Cloth Diaper Change, an attempt to break the world record for the most cloth diapers changed at the same time.  We attempted to take part in the event last year, but we got lost on the way and missed the official change.  This year there were more than 300 hosts across 16 countries - pretty impressive!

We signed up for a location not far from where we live, meeting up with Michal's friend Liam (of sock stealing fame if you followed the 365 day blog) and his awesome parents.  We had fun hanging out with other fluff-loving folks and enjoyed a yummy lunch afterwards.

Borrowing Jaime's sunglasses - the kid LOVES shades 

Looking at Jaime's pictures on her phone as we wait for the event to begin 

Love this kid!

Getting her diaper ready for the big change, checking out everyone around us. 

After the official change - you can see us near the back - I'm holding Michal up with her purple shirt and belly hanging out.  HEAVY KID. 

She seems pretty blase about being part of a world record breaking event!

Yeah... I think the idea of lunch is trumping everything else. 

LUNCH!  And Michal shows us her unique flossing techniques.

"Hey, y'all!"

Silly kids!

Technology Rocks

This happens to be one of those crazy weeks where I have three late work evenings, which means I miss one of my favorite times with the Goose - bedtime.  Luckily we live in the 21st century, where distance can be overcome by some amazing inventions.  Josh helped Michal Facetime me (a Skype-like video chat function on the iPhone) as she got ready for bed, which meant lots of "Hi!"s and "Mommy!"s and the inevitable attempt to beep my nose or gouge out my eye through the screen. She's an awesome kid, and even if I couldn't be there for bedtime, it was great having some face time with her.

Don't mind the crazy hair - it was bath time.  

She made sure to show me bubbles and splash her daddy.

I'm behind on posts, but I have much to add soon, including Michal's most recent attempt to set a Guinness World Record!

South Carolina: Part III

Our final photos from our South Carolina trip - miniature golf and beach/pool day.  Fun!

Just hanging out on the huge rocking chair, waiting for everyone to get ready to leave for a fun day. 

Showing off her very own golf club.  It is only slightly smaller than a hockey stick!

Teeing up with Daddy.

Getting a quick lesson from the pro.

Carving her own path to follow her ball.  Unfortunately the "grass" was wet!

Trying to make par on her own - stubborn kid!

 Calling in the reinforcements - help from Grandma.

Uh oh... getting impatient with the club and decides to take matters into her own hands - literally!

... taking it to the hole.

 She doesn't quite get it in the hole on the firs try.

 Collecting her ball again.

Success!

Waiting for the rest of the group to catch up.

Later, it was time to hit the beach (and, later, the pool)! 

Sooooooo excited to don her swimsuit for the first time.

Beach baby!

While she had some huge aversions to the sand at first, she did seem to enjoy shoveling sand into the pail, then emptying said pail and starting all over again.

Testing out the water - brrr! 

It was pretty cold, so after we played in the sand a while later, we headed over to the heated pool.  Michal adored it - I have a feeling our neighborhood pool will be a big part of our summer!

River Farm Playdate

Today was a fun day!  We met up with Michal's friend Henry and his lovely parents, Laine and Jesse, and spent the morning at River Farm, once the property of George Washington, just up the Potomac River from Mount Vernon.  It is a lovely site, now the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, dating back to 1653 when Giles Brent and his wife, a princess of the Piscatawny tribe, received a grant of 1800 acres named Piscatawny Neck.  As you will see in these photos, it is a lovely settings, and the kiddos had a great time!


We spent most of our time in the children's garden, which featured a number of cute structures and landscape settings.

Checking out the house.   

Hi, cuties! 

Laughing at Daddy. 

We also found a little bridge - Henry LOVED climbing up and down its steps.  

 Here is Michal, playing "Ring Around the Rosie" by herself - a new favorite.  She falls down and everything.

Henry checks out the structural integrity of the bridge.  Or something. 

 Silly goose kids, checking out the view.

Haha, I tried to get their attention by calling them "Goober Butts" - Henry obliged and showed me his tush.  

 Snack time - apple slices. YUM.

Michal "rolled" down the hill. Sort of. 

Henry... or, as Michal says, Henri.  She thinks he's French. 

Checking out Laine's SUPER awesome glitter toenail polish.   

 Her bow fell out, so here is Michal's impersonation of Cousin It.

 Gorgeous setting!

I would love to have this view, sitting on the porch, watching the river.  Gorgeous.