Vacation Day #7

Our last day here :( 

We packed up a little in the morning to start getting our stuff together. 

Then off to Bethany Beach to walk and collect shells. Looking for shells is one of my favorite things - I find it so peaceful. I'm going to add a few ocean related items to Evelyn's room, so we all added shells for a room craft for her. Ella's collected shells are the most precious. 

We bought our obligatory trip souvenirs - sweatshirts for Josh and me, a Christmas ornament, and a stuffed animal for Ella. Her animal choice: 

Back home for lunch and nap - today she made it through without waking up in tears!

Off to the beach for the last time. Ella's transportation to the beach: 

Josh and Ella playing in the sand while I read my next book, The Kite Runner. 

The highlight of the beach today was the spotting of 3 dolphins. I looked up and saw them 30-40 feet out from the shore just swimming along. I saw them come up 3 times before they were gone. 

Josh grilled chicken and corn for dinner. Ella going for 1 last spin in the living room swivel chairs: 

We packed most of our stuff and then played a few games together. 

Overall, we never saw a drop of rain and only had 1 "stinky" diaper (as Ella calls them) at the beach. That's what I call a successful beach trip! 

Vacation Day #6

Josh let me sleep until 8:25 - no idea what happened before that. However when I got up, Ella had learned to brush her hair. 

Bagels at home then off to Ocean City to explore the boardwalk. Josh has been once before with college friends but I'd never been. 

We got free parking, yahoo!!

It was fun to walk around (and people watch). Ella loves the water, sand, and birds so she wanted to walk up on the wall to have a better view. 

I thought the rental locations right on the water were awesome. I would love to wake up every morning and have my coffee watching the ocean. Retirement dream. 

There had previously been a sand sculpting competition, these works were breathtaking. 

Last Supper:

Noah's Ark:

Getting some rest in the shade: 

And some more Kohr Bros, strawberry this time. 

Our navigator for the day: 

All tuckered out:

Home (25 minute drive) for lunch and naps for 3. She ended up napping with Josh today - not quite sure what is going on with naps but hopeful we get back on schedule at home.

We went over to the beach around 4 and stayed until 7. The guys played pattleball and dove into the waves. Ella rubbed sand all over my legs and have me a great spa exfoliation treatment. 

Watching the water with my sweet girl: 

Tomorrow is our last day, can't believe it's over so quickly. 

Vacation Day #5

Ella woke up bright and early at 6. She laid in bed with us until about 7:15 and then Josh took her for a walk so I could sleep. Am I married to the best man or what? 

Josh walked with Ella to Dunkin Dounuts for a Daddy-Daughter date. He got her a strawberry frosted doughnut; the same thing I always got as a girl with my dad. Melt.my.heart. 🍩💕

We decided to have a low key morning since we all had a little bit of sun. Ella's cheeks are pink and Josh and my backs got it leaning over building sandcastles for Ella to destroy!

We walked over to check out the shopping center a block from our house. They had a kids water fountain you could run in. Ella was in Heaven. 

Getting a drink: 

 

After about 30 minutes of splashing, a family with 3 older kids came. Ella stood back watching for about 2 minutes and then charged right in to play with them and mimic their water-play. She never ceases to amaze me. 

Home for lunch and nap. E has only been napping for an hour each day - and is very irritable when she wakes up - which we were attributing to a new location. Today after she slept for 1.5 hours she woke up crying for me, I went in and she fell asleep on me. She slept curled up with me for 2 more hours. She awoke a new baby! 

Then off to the beach. We got there a little after 4 - it was so nice to have the sun out and warm on your skin without it being hot enough to burn. 

Josh played a game with Ella, hiding one of her beach toys inside the bucket of sand. She loved destroying the castle. She loves tapping the sides of the bucket to help the sand come out. 

Playing catch with Velcro mits and a tennis ball. E loved catching the ball, but needed help getting the ball off, only to put it back on the mit.

A girl and her snacks. Attracting the attention of some seagulls. 

28 weeks: 

Maternity shadow:

My two girls!!!!

Spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner. Blueberry cobbler (recipe coming soon) and ice cream for dessert with games. 

We recommend Bohnanza, a game my brother introduced us to. 

Vacation Day #4

E slept until 7:15 - yahoo. We had breakfast at home and then headed out to the beach. We arrived at 10am. Here is a picture of our private beach: 

Here is the public Bethany Beach: 

God was so good to us finding a rental in this private beach community! 

We played until a little after noon. 

Walking by the water:

Daddy and Ella by the water. Ella now says "here it comes" when a wave comes in. 

Begging for more snacks: 

We came home for nap. Then the 5 of us set out for Rehoboth Beach to explore the boardwalk. It is about a 30 minute drive so we brought along our new portable DVD player we bought for the ride. Ella has been watching the Elmo video my mom got her - and she said  "Elmo" for the first time - oh boy! 

It was miserable hot outside so we didn't last much longer than 1.5 hours. 

Ella was dying to go on the bumper cars: 

But we let her sit in a little train as a conselation prize: 

I had another Kohr Bros frozen custard. Coffee this time! Yum! 

Josh grilled burger for dinner and then we played games after Ella went to bed. Bezzerwizzer and Cranium. 

Vacation Day #3

Ella got up at 6:30, Josh got up with her so I could sleep in (until 7!). We had breakfast and about 9 we went to see the Bethany Beach boardwalk. It was fun to be outside exploring. 

Ella found a little kiddie pool with water toys. 

There were cute shops and we bought some Fishers Popcorn - amazing! :) we got the caramel with white cheddar dusting. 

Josh also got "boardwalk fries" AKA "fair fries". Fried in peanut oil so we took turns distracting Ella while the other one snacked. 

We played on the beach for a bit before heading home for Ella's nap. 

My mother-in-law introduced me to this game and we purchased on the boardwalk. It has two paddles that are spandex-like that you use to pass a ball between you. 

Josh and I played for a bit and I looked over and saw Ella leaning against the fence just looking at the sand. A totally unposed moment of this girl's beauty. 

During nap time I read on our hammock - not extremely comfy for my pregnant self. Here is my 27-week photo:

After nap we headed back over to the beach. Ella loves sitting in everyone's chairs: 

And she really loves Snappers! 

After some initial hesitation I was able to get Ella into the water by telling her it was a giant puddle for splashing. 

I created a monster. 

After that she wanted to run further and further into the water. Josh would stand behind her and catch her as a wave knocked her over. (She didn't want us touching her but as soon as a wave comes she throws up her feet, laughs, and falls backwards.)

New favorite photo:

Previously, Ella would play by our feet in the sand - now she is running for the water instantly. 

Getting ready to leave the beach. Ella said "Bye bye water" while we walked off the beach. 

We got home, showered, and headed out for dinner. We ended up at the Lobster Shanty in Fenwick Island. I had a lobster quesadilla and Josh had a crab cake. Both were great. We were able to see the sunset as we ate. 

We stopped on the way home at Kohr Bros Frozen Custard. I love custard - but this was my first time having soft serve. It was amazing. I recommend the chocolate mint twist. 

As does Ella. 

Josh got a vanilla chocolate twist with jimmies: