A Whole New World

We have been trying for years to get the boys how to learn their bikes without training wheels. We have practiced off and on, but they never really showed interest and I think were petrified of falling off their bikes. At the beginning of this year, Camden told me that his New Year's Resolution was to learn to ride both his skateboard as well as his bike. He had conquered the skateboard, but had not even attempted the bike.

The mornings this week have been beautiful and unseasonably cool, which was great for spending time outside. Camden was riding his skateboard and scooter and I again asked him if he wanted to learn to ride his bike. He quickly answered no, but then decided to do a little bargaining with me and asked if he learned to ride his bike if he could have his iPad back, which had been taken from him a few days prior. Without a thought, I said "Yes!" So out to the street we went with him on his bike and me holding on. I want you to know, within minutes he was riding his bike all on his own. I am not sure who was more excited, me or him. He was thrilled because he was getting his iPad back, bet I tell you I think I am the one who won because I can't get that boy off of his bike. I had told him that riding his bike would open up a whole new world for him and he now sees it and can't wait for Casen to learn how to ride now so we can go exploring.

While Camden and I spent a lot of time outdoors with me taking long walks while he rode his bike, Casen spent his mornings this week at baseball camp. He had a great time and today was his last day and he received an award for Defensive MVP. Lookout fall ball, here he comes!

Not One, But Two Are Gone

I kept thinking that the next teeth Casen would loose would be his two front teeth, but apparently, I was wrong. It has been about a year since he has lost any teeth and this week he decided to make up for it by losing not one, but two.

He pulled the first one this past Thursday while taking a shower and then pulled the other last night while taking a shower. How he didn't lose his teeth down the drain I will never know. I do know, however, that it is pretty sad when you have to stop at the convenience store and buy a pack of gum so that you can get change for the tooth fairy. :)

Panama City Beach 2019

When I asked the boys where they would like to go on summer vacation this year, they both answered, "The beach!" I know we have gone every year the for the past 3 years, but the boys absolutely love it! Had I planned ahead sooner and got their passports this year, we would have gone on a cruise - maybe next year. So, we again decided to go to Panama City Beach. Instead of staying in a condo this year, we instead stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort. I had previously looked into this in years past due to the great reviews, however it was always booked when I looked. At the beginning of June when I decided to get our trip planned, fortunately their were rooms available as they had just reopened at the beginning of May after going through renovations over the past year due to the hurricane that hit there last year. So despite my procrastinating, we were able to give it a try.

We left home Saturday late morning and headed to Lumberton to stay the night at Shane's parent's house. Since it is two hours closer to our destination, it is nice to get a head start. The boys were thrilled to swim, even if part of the time it was in the rain.

We left Sunday morning, driving through a lot of wind and rain that was the result of a hurricane that hit Louisiana on Saturday. We arrived that afternoon and after getting situated in our room, we decided to head to one of our favorite places to eat, Pineapple Willie's. It was within walking distance (1 mile) from our hotel, so we decided to walk and enjoy all the sites and sounds. As in the past, it did not disappoint. We enjoyed live music, people watching and good food.

Casen and me at Pineapple Willie's

On Monday we woke up bright and early, had some breakfast and then headed out to the beach. The water was beautiful and crystal clear. I was soooo glad to see that, as I was concerned the water would be churned up due to the hurricane. There were double red flags which meant there were strong rip tides and the recommended not going out, but as the day progressed, it did not appear as rough and we let the boys go out a short distance. That evening, we headed across the street from the hotel and ate at the Waffle House - one of the boys favorites. We did a little shopping at the local surf shops and then headed back to the resort to see the magician and then watch 'Smallfoot' at the Dive-Inn Movie.

Greeting the Dolphin at breakfast.

One of the boys favorites, Waffle House.

Tuesday we spent the day at the beach and since it was only a red flag, the boys got to go further out and spent a great part of the day riding waves. We took a break half way during the day to enjoy some Pina Colada's and pepperoni pizza. That evening we headed down to Pier Park to eat at another one of our fav's, 'Hook'd'.

Riding the waves.

Casen wanted to take a picture at Hook'd.

So, Camden had to take one too.

Wednesday was pretty much a repeat of Monday and Tuesday. The water was so smooth and beautiful and it was a yellow flag. They boys again rode waves, played with a hermit crab that a teenage boy sitting near us found, and hunted shells. Shane found the one and only sand dollar of our trip.  We ate a very late lunch due to all the shell hunting, so we didn't leave the resort that night. After we got cleaned up, the boys and I went down to the beach so I could take some pictures of them. We then went to the Polynesian Fire and Dance Show and then went and watched 'The Greatest Showman' at the Dive-Inn movies, complete with popcorn, which was a favorite.  Afterwards, the boys and I went to a beachside bonfire and we enjoyed s'mores. Yum!!! 

  

Our one sand dollar.

Hermit Crab

Polynesian Dancers 

Dive-Inn Movies

Roasting marshmallows

Yummy s'mores.

On Thursday morning it was unfortunately time to pack up and head back to reality. We left Panama City Beach with some blonde haired, tanned-skinned boys who were tired, but happy. We all cherish the memories we made and their sweet "thank you's" as well as the joy on their faces all week reminds me why I love so much taking my boys on vacation. Until next time. . . 

Prior to leaving the beach we gathered up some beautiful white sand so we could make our own souvenir from the shells we found. With the boys input and help, we ended up making a neat souvenir today for their rooms (Lord, please let the sand stay in the bottle!).

Fourth of July in Kerrville

As they do each year, the boys went and spent a week with my parents for the Fourth of July. We met my parents in San Marcos on Monday, shopped a little at the outlet mall and then handed off the boys. And, as per usual, they had a great time. They spent their time playing outside, playing with the neighbors dogs, shooting BB guns, swimming, staying up late and eating some great food.

My mom sent me this pic within 5 minutes
of them getting to their home.

Fourth of July Parade

On Saturday I dove up so that I too could spend some time in Kerrville having some fun. I too got to enjoy good food, fun times outside, morning walks with my mom and boys and of course time with my wonderful grandma.

They boys love to go swimming and went to the pool daily. They even got to go later one evening and swim as the sun was setting.

Camden laughing at his brother

Casen doing flips

One night there was a star watching party and Camden was in hog heaven. They got to see Saturn and its rings as well as Jupiter and learn a little about the planets and all their moons.

They boys loved going up on the hill and shooting BB guns with grandpa. They of course had to show me how great they were doing at hitting targets and encouraged me to try my luck. Let me just say, their aim is far better than mine . . .

I was aiming for the cat head and got it!!!

Playing cards with my grandma has been and will always be one of my favorite things to do. We played Rummy and while it stayed very close, in the end I finally beat her. Can't say that very often . . .

When the boys went with me to see grandma, we played Crazy 8's.

Pickle ball with grandpa

 A snake we saw on one of our morning walks.

My happy place.

Did I mention good food? We always eat good when we go to my parents. Dad smoke a brisket for me to bring home and we had the most delicious homemade ice cream topped with crushed butterfingers and chocolate syrup. YUMMY!!!

This last picture is one I will cherish. When the boys are at my parents, they love to play by the pond. They always sit on this one certain rock with their 'guys' and play (if you look back in the first picture in this post, that is their spot). Their 'guys' pretty much stay out by the pond the whole week the boys are there, as they go back and forth playing with them. I know these days are short lived, as they will out grow their 'guys' but the memories and time spent on this rock will always remain.