Sanibel Trip 2021

 At the end of July, we traveled down to Sanibel Island to spend a week with Morgan's family...

It's a long drive for us, but the beauty of this island is well-worth the trip.

Beach Baby! Esme took a break from the sun to eat a little snack.

Sanibel is known for its beautiful shells. 

I spy an Esme.

One evening, we went to Cheeburger for burgers and milkshakes.

Esme was a big fan.

Most people try to find the biggest shells, but I love to look for the tiniest.

Beach hair, don't care.

Alice is a facial expression wizard.

One day, we hopped across to Captiva Island and had lunch at the Bubble Room. It was just as weird (and delicious) as always.

I love these goofballs.

Cousin Dax (age 5), Alice (age 6), and Esme (age 2)

Sadly, I didn't get a picture of our food. And we didn't have time for dessert (giant pieces of cake). But we did get some Carolina Moons, which are potato chips covered with melted cheese and bacon.

It's always Christmas at the Bubble Room. Who knows why.

This sums up their relationship.

After our lunch at the Bubble Room, we went an a boat ride to see some dolphins.

Keeping an eye out for dolphins...

Alice with her cousins, Asa and Dax.

Sadly, I did not get any pictures of the dolphins, but we did see a lot of them.

This is Esme's reaction to seeing a dolphin for the first time.

An Esme sandwich

We found this little guy on our last night in Sanibel! Sanibel is also known for its amazing wildlife, including sea turtles. And giant iguanas.

By the time we left Sanibel, our girls were worn out from an amazing week at the beach with Morgan's family. They were sad to leave, but little did they know, we would be making a surprise pit-stop on our way home...

Alice's 6th Birthday

So, let's address the elephant in the room. I haven't updated this blog in a long while. Alice's birthday was back in July, and it is now... September. Oh, well. Better luck next year!

Over the summer, our sweet Alice turned 6 (which I still can't believe)! This year, Alice's birthday celebration lasted for several weeks, starting with her birthday party...

Alice with her balloons!

For her birthday this year, Alice wanted a mermaid pool party with her friends...

Yes, those adorable sunglasses were the party favors!

The pool party was a blast, and Alice got to show off her new swimming skills!

Alice's real birthday started off with sprinkle pancakes...

Sweet sisters!

Alice's birthday request was to have a girls' spa day...

Pedicures!

That evening, our family came over for more celebrating. Alice requested ice cream sundaes instead of cake, and that's just what she got!

Alice, you are so easy to celebrate! You are sweet, fun, cuddly, and creative. You love your family and friends, and you are beloved by everyone. You are a peacemaker with the most tender heart. It is such a gift to be your mama and to watch you grow. Happy birthday, sweet Alice Pearl. You are my treasure. 

An interview with Alice at age 6:

What job do you want to have when you grow up? I want to be an artist.

What is your favorite book? I haven't found out because I haven't read all the books yet.

What is your favorite movie? Hercules. The Rescuers.

What is your favorite food? So far, it's grilled cheese.

What are your favorite things to do? I like to play checkers, and I like to do art. I also like to ride bikes. 

Who is someone famous you would like to meet? Lin-Manuel Miranda

Who are your best friends? Faeren, Charlotte, and Ollie

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip

What are you scared of? Monsters with giant jaws and furry hands

What is something that you wish? That I had long hair

What would your perfect day be like? My birthday, going to Disney World and the beach all in the same day. 

What are you interested in right now? Geography and Art

What do you like most about yourself? That I'm funny and kind.

Watercolor Trip 2021

 In May, we went to Watercolor with my family. Because of the pandemic, we didn't get to go last year, so we were all very excited and ready for a vacation.

No place like 30A!

Lucy loved catching waves with her cousins.

Esme was content to play near the shore with her bucket and pail.

Watercolor really lives up to its name.

We loved jumping in the pool every day when we got back from the beach. To rinse off the sand and also cool off. Esme learned how to swim with a puddle jumper on this trip.

We played a lot of games in the evenings. The girls were all obsessed with Hedbanz. One night, we watched The Man Who Knew Too Little with Bill Murray, which is a classic as far as my family is concerned. 

Another night, my parents babysat, and Morgan, my brother, and I all rode bikes to Seaside for Cuban food and mojito slushies. By the time we headed back to Watercolor, the sun had already set, and my brother and I had on our prescription sunglasses (we'd both left our glasses at the house). Riding a bike in the dark with sunglasses after a couple of drinks was an adventure. But we made it.

Making sandcastles!

Cocktails on the beach! (Is there anything better? No. No, there is not.)

I just wanted to document Lucy's smile with her two front teeth missing... so cute! In this photo, we are riding the golf cart to a candy shop, so these girls were living their best lives.

Esme knows how to enjoy the beach!

So does Morgan.

On the last night of our vacation, we went out to dinner to celebrate my niece's birthday. We go to the same pizza place in Seaside every year.

My pizza of choice this year had an egg on it... so good!

Love my girls.

Afterward dinner, we walked around Seaside. There is a giant, yellow duck outside the toy shop, and Esme was in love with it. I didn't think we would be able to get her away from it.

Watercolor, you were good to us this year! Can't wait to go back!