Monday's post:
I shopped for Cookies and Canvas stuff at Wally. We had our week of event meeting. We ate leftovers and went to piano. Regular, regular.
But back on October 8 we had a great day! Our first Blessing of the Fleet and it was so nice.
D was sooo stoked that we got to ride a school bus to the venue from the parking lot. Only her second bus ride and it was ah-mazing.
We got there just after they started, so we got to see the prayer of blessing and the national anthem. Matt's patented "bored" picture.
And a nornal(ish) one.
It was a beautiful day, not too hot, not too cold.
We got balloon creations from the balloon nerd.
Because we were so early we didn't have to wait for anything, all day!
How cute are these?
We walked right onto our pony rides.
That too small farm cutie hat is a hoot. Time to order new ones!
We got a military discount so we only paid $10 to get in and everything else was free. It was so awesome.
Like a moth to the flame.
This little 4-H'r was super excited to show the girls her bunnies and chicks.
The farm cutie and her sisters loved them.
Chicks, man. (I miss The Soup)
Then they did some roping.
Frankie was best, then Addie, then Farm Cutie.
Took her a long while, (surprising with that form!) but she didn't give up. Even after I tried to coax her to move on because she'd tried so hard, she was having none of it. She knew she could rope that steer (sounds right?) and rope it she did.
In between bounce house jumping we watched a storyteller and puppet show. Have I mentioned there was no waiting? It was so nice!
Addie and Frankie also climbed the rock wall a few times. There was a little train, so we caught that and took it around by the water and back again.
Front of the train and back of the train. That's how we roll.
We waited for the aina's to arrive before heading out to the island. The girls were so excited to see their friends!
We headed straight out to the boat and walked right on.
I've grown accustomed to his nerd hat. It doesn't even phase me anymore.
Big girl friends.
Little girl friends.
Can't believe these babies are already in kindergarten.
Odd man out. She was my boat buddy.
On a boat.
And another boat! They had the replica of The Maryland Dove there at the place of its first landing. It's always fun to explore.
I love how both Addie and Frankie are holding Adeline's hand. They want another little sister so bad!
Then we went to the lighthouse. This was a cute shot, but then they moved. Basically Laney was hugging Ellie from behind and it was really sweet. But then this happened and it's not as sweet.
It's always tricky when you've got a million kids trying to walk the precarious steps of a lighthouse. Add trying to squeeze into a little cupola via a ladder, and all sorts of fun happens. Isla was loving it. 😂
Everyone loves Isla. It was hot in the cupola so Addie held her in front of the breezy window.
Then we let the kids play at the beach. We found some sea glass and shells.
The big girls talked big girl stuff and explored.
Awhile longer on the island and then it was time to head back. The girls thought it was awesome that they got to ride inside the captains quarters. Or something.
They also thought it was so cray- ray that there was a toilet in there too. "Why is there a toilet?" Kids ask the best questions.
Happy girls. All the happy girls.
We are a happy family!
After the boat rides we checked out the firefighters fun.
Super... girl?
The girls did some more rock wall climbing. They did so good!
They were sooo close to the top. And then we parents find ourselves treading the fine line between encouraging and feeling like we're forcing them. Fine line indeed, huh Addie.
Sooo close to the top! She got up a few steps even from here, but she psyched herself out.
After the kid stuff finished (5 maybe?) they did the bike raffle. Since we won the last bike raffle we entered, we were pretty excited.
Frankie got chosen to draw the boy bike winner.
And then the boy winner drew the girl winner. We didn't win, but we did cheer on and congratulate the winners.
Then it was time for some dirty fair food. Shrimp for the franks.
Chicken and crab cakes for the rest of us. And then funnel cakes all around.
It was while eating our nutritious dinner that Addie leaned over and said "today was a good day." And it was.
So perfect.
