Happy 2nd Birthday, Allie!

This weekend, we went to Detroit to celebrate Cousin Allie's 2nd birthday! We drove down late afternoon on Friday and stopped in Northville so the boys could get haircuts. On Saturday morning, we went to Aunt Maran and Uncle Josh's new house to help set up for the party. We brought a long the bounce house which was a big hit. The boys had a lot of fun playing with Allie. After the party, Phil took the boys back to Grann's and I met up with Katie to go bridesmaid dress shopping. We found a bunch that we liked and I was able to get mine ordered. Check! On Sunday, Maran, Josh, and Allie stopped by to play for a while before we got on the road. It was so nice to have sixty degree temperatures. We spent a lot of time outdoors.

Another Wii Bowling All-star in the Making...

Alex has figured out how to play a few of the Wii Sports games.  He doesn't play them well but he can at least swing the golf club, tennis racket, etc. Bowling had caused him some trouble. You have to push down a button, swing your arm, and then release. It was a bit too much for him to do at first. But now he seems to have the idea:

Kindergarten Screening

Today, William had his Kindergarten screening at Moorsbridge Elementary school. Phil took a couple hours off work so he could take him. Although William is a clear cut Kindergartner based on his age (as opposed to Pre-K), the Portage schools do the screening to see if the kids may benefit from a year of pre-K. They give the parents the results and let them make the decision. William went to different stations where they tested his fine motor, gross motor, letters, ability to follow directions, etc. and he tested as a solid 5 year old/kindergartner. They said he needs to work on his fine motor skills - specifically holding a pencil. They also think enunciation may be an issue with him.  Those are things we can work on over the summer.   Although it wasn't part of their testing, they were impressed with his math skills.  He seemed to enjoy his time at school - it was nice for him to get to see the inside.

Registration Paperwork

Goodbye, St. George's Island! We hope to see you again!

We had a perfect last day on the island. We woke up to perfectly clear skies. Alex and I ran into town so he could buy his souvenir (snow globe with palm trees and a small soccer ball) and then joined everyone on the beach. We went for a nice long walk, saw some dolphins, looked for treasure, built some sand castles, jumped in the water, and did some fishing from the beach. Alex was so tired he fell asleep in one of the chairs. Then William, Grandpa and I did some swimming. After Alex's nap, we went to climb the lighthouse again but it was closed on Thursdays. So we went down the street for ice cream instead (which was always part of the plan). Then we came home and ran down to the beach to say "good-bye." After dinner, William got in one more swim before calling it a night. We hit the road at 5am tomorrow. We are sad to leave Florida but are excited to see Daddy again!

Dolphins

A boy and his pail

Fishing with Grandpa

Last trip to the beach

So tired!

Cheeseburger in Paradise

William and I started the day by going to the bakery to redeem the coupon for a free asiago cheese bread he won at bingo last night. Then we went to a couple souvenir shops so he could use some of the spending money he brought along on the trip. Then we went down to the beach. Uncle Ken brought his brother's metal detector along and Will had so much fun treasure hunting. He "found" a lot of pennies that were mysteriously near the surface of the sand and very close to our chairs. We thought there was something buried in the hole we had started but we dug down to water without finding anything. Then Will went in the pool for a bit. We all went to the Blue Parrot to have dinner on the beach. Phil was able to look at their live web cam and saw us enjoying the sunshine. After dinner, we walked to the lighthouse/playground for a while. Then the boys and I went in the pool. Alex didn't last long, but William stayed in for about an hour.

Treasure Hunting

Panorama of the Beach Houses

Panorama from the Boardwalk

Dinner at the Blue Parrot

Cheeseburger in Paradise

St. George's Island Lighthouse

Perfect Beach Day

We had a perfect day at the beach. William and I started the day playing soccer on the beach. Then the rest of the crew came down and we dug a big hole, jumped in the waves, blew some bubbles, and collected more shells. After the beach, we decided to take a dip in the pool. William was brave enough to jump in off the side (with his water wings on). And of course, Alex had to do it, too. Alex spent about 45 minutes in the pool and William was in for about 2 hours. After Alex's nap, we went down to the beach for a little bit before dinner. Then William, Grandpa, and Uncle Ken went to bingo night at the fire station. Last year, William won. This year he didn't win a bingo board, but he did win the door raffle. Uncle Ken was the big bingo winner.

Walking the Pier on Monday

Bubbles on the Beach

Morning Soccer

Rainy days and Mondays don't get us down!

Monday was a bit overcast but that didn't slow us down! In the morning, the boys went to climb the lighthouse and walk on the fishing bridge. During that time, the girls went into Apalachicola for coffee and some shopping. After lunch, William and I went down to the beach to wade through the tidal pools. We saw lots of seaweed, shells, and jellyfish washed up on shore. Then we decided to hop in the pool for a bit. William and Grandpa spent about an hour in the pool racing back and forth. He's getting to be a pretty good "swimmer."  Then the boys did hot cocoa on the screened in porch for their snack.  Sunshine is in the forecast for the rest of the week!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cocoa by the Sea

Waiting Patiently

Little Guppies

We had another fun day on Saint George's Island. We woke up to warm temperatures but very strong winds. We decided the beach was not a good option but the pool was perfect! The pool water was nice and warm and it was relatively sheltered from the wind. William was excited to get in but Alex was very excited. He has no fear. Last summer, William clung to the side of the pool and refused to float with his water wings. That was not the case this year! Both boys floated happily in the pool. We stayed in until teeth were chattering and then came in for lunch. Alex was completely wiped out and fell asleep in Grandma's lap for an hour and a half. While he napped, William and I walked down to the beach to look at the huge waves. We made a pit stop in the "enchanted forest" along the way to climb some trees. After Alex woke up and had a late lunch, we drove into Apalachicola for ice cream. Then we walked down to the pier to look at the boats. After dinner, the rain finally came and we were able to enjoy a nice thunderstorm. 

Ready to go!

No fear

So much braver than last summer



Climbing trees along the boardwalk to the ocean

Ice Cream!

Boats in Apalachicola

Happy Grandpa