Beach Trip 2013 - Emerald Isle

Before.


Colter enjoys the Sound view.


Sam had fun in the sand but refused to go into the ocean.










S'mores night. Plenty of chocolate, pointy sticks and matches within hands reach.








Sam's favorite part about the aquarium was watching the divers.


And talking to the divers.


And following the divers.






Vanilla with rainbow sprinkles.


Beaufort, N.C.


Sam's first kayak trip.





Other firsts for Sam this trip included: flying a kite and watching a full-length movie (Finding Nemo). He actually wouldn't hold the kite string because I had (in a moment of bad judgment) just read him the Curious George story about how he flew away with a kite. Sam also spent much of the movie hiding around the corner while I told him what was going on and when it was safe to look. We should be a fun pair at the local movie theater.

Father's Day 2013

Last year I interviewed Sam for an "About My Dad" profile, to celebrate Father's Day. Well, we're back for this year's installment! And the hijinks continue. You have to crank the volume to hear Sam, and then my voice is gratingly loud, but it's worth it (well, you be the judge of that). If you can hang in there till the end, Sam really does end it on a sweet note.


Sam makes a reference to "Mr. Joe," which is really a reference to Dr. Joe, a pediatrician. Sam and his dad have a bit of a running joke in which poor Dr. Joe has, unwittingly, become a central character. Every time Sam hurts himself, Bruce pretends to call Dr. Joe to come immediately and cut off whatever it is that is ailing Sam. I personally find the humor a little untoward. But apparently Sam loves it. And that's what Dads are for, right? For all that Dad stuff -- your bad jokes and roughhousing and burps, etc. -- Bruce, I salute you.

And to quote Sam from the video, "Daddy, I love you! Happy Father's Day!"

Puddle Jumper

Tropical rains mean fun times for the boy.

99 Days of Summer Fun

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is touting 99 Days of Summer Fun, and I'm here to confirm that Sam packed 99 days of fun into one at Busch Gardens on Friday. And Bruce would add that it felt like it lasted about 99 Summer Days.

First stop: Grover's Alpine Express, a sort of "my first roller coaster." (Or in Sam's case, "my last roller coaster.")

These are the BEFORE photos.

Waiting in line.


Grandma and Dad riding in front.


So excited!


Self portrait!

Don't you just feel his excitement?!!

Annnnd ... the are no AFTER photos because Sam immediately burst into loud tears after the ride was over, and instead of photographing him I just spirited him away so as not to scare the other kids. Let's just say it was a little intense.

Everything else went perfectly smoothly.


Here we are on the considerably more tame air chariot, or whatever they called this.


And, the carousel. He's not really as nervous as he looks, that's just his interpretation of "cheese."


Ropes course with dad.


Tram with Grandma.


Driving the ladybug cars.


Cap'n Sam. After this, he informed us it was time for a popsicle. I sadly did not capture this monstrosity on film, but it was about three feet tall and cost $15. Thank goodness he let Bruce share it with him.




Splashy fun!


Our last ride was on the train.

This Just Happened

From the preschool daily newsletter:

#Idon'tknowwhy #hewearsitwell

Happy Monday!

From our best boy.

Sam's First Medal

Soccer season is over! Don't worry, it will be back this fall, so you won't go but just a few months without my riveting sports action photography.

For Sam's leadership on and off the field, for his unwavering commitment to excellence, for all the ball-handling skills he learned, Sam was awarded a Rainbow Soccer Medal of Excellence Completion. When we got home, Sam pointed to Bruce's medal from the Boston Marathon and said, now we both have medals, Dad! Apparently, all you have to do is show up to about 1/10 of all the soccer practices and limp through the games solely for the post-game juice box to win a medal these days.


And a Tar Heel cookie.


The boys of spring.


Sam and his soccer coach share a love of Carolina.


Congratulations on a great season, Cracker Jacks!