Galveston Day 2

Mia started day #2 of our vacation with some excitement.  She pulled her first tooth that morning in our hotel room!  It was so loose that when she got up the courage to try, it just popped out.  She can't wait to take it home and put it under her pillow for the tooth fairy.

We had been watching the weather closely because there was a tropical storm off the coast.  It was quite a way off, but there was a good breeze blowing and the waves were a little stronger than usual.  None of that mattered because we were at the beach!  It was such a good time.  The only weather issue was a little ten minute rain shower, and then we were back in business building sand castles.  Just like last year, the kids didn't really get in the water past their knees, but it didn't matter.  They had so much fun.  They splashed around and played in the sand. 

After being in the hot sun, we showered, got some lunch, and then went on to our indoor activity of the day (which to be honest was really for me, I guess).  Galveston is home to some gorgeous architecture, so we toured one of the historic homes called 1892 Bishop's Palace.  It was amazing.  My most favorite activities on vacation involve seeing and experiencing places of historical significance.  This house certainly did not disappoint.  Look at the amazing woodwork and the stained glass!

1892 Bishop's Palace

Mia and Quinn love staying in a hotel.  They were having so much fun that we had to separate them and make them lie down in separate beds to go to sleep.  You can see what they thought of that idea.

 

Galveston Day 1

For vacation this year, we decided to keep it instate again.  We took the kids on a roadtrip to Galveston.  Mia is all about the beach, so we wanted to find them a nice one to play on.  Our hotel was right across the street from the beach which was so much better than having to load up a bunch of wet and sandy towels, toys, and kids at the end of the day.  The first day, we just walked over to scout out a good place to set up on the beach for the next day.  Then, we went to the Pleasure Pier which has loads of rides.  I wasn't sure if they would have many for little kids, but there was lots for Mia and Quinn to do.  They both got their first rides on a ferris wheel.  Mia was a little nervous about it, but she liked it.  Quinn was just curious and kept looking at everything around us.  It was the first time in my life that I wondered why there weren't seatbelts on a ferris wheel.  Wes kept one hand holding on to Quinn the whole time.  Quinn never tried to hop up or anything, but we watched him closely just the same.  Wes went with Mia on a ride called the Rock and Roll that went pretty fast forward and then backward.  We let her watch it first and gave her every opportunity to change her mind, but she very much wanted to try it.  When they got off, she was excited, but Wesley said he felt a little ill.  Haha!  I hadn't pegged her for a roller coaster-lovin' gal, but she never ceases to surprise me.  She also begged to go on the swing ride, so I did that one with her.  She liked that one, too.  That time it was me who was feeling a little queasy afterward, so we rode the carousel one more time and then went to dinner.

Galveston selfie

I love spending time with this handsome guy.

 

Pretty Ballerina

Mia did so well at her ballet recital this afternoon.  Mom and Zoey came down to watch her, too.  Quinn got a little restless since there were several other groups of girls that danced before Mia's.  Sitting in the dark being still and quiet is a huge request to make of a toddler.  Mia danced beautifully, and I was so proud of her. I like to let her try different activities, but I think ballet is something she's going to want to stick with.  She loves it!

Little brother was hungry and over it all by this time, so we went to find him some dinner.

 

Twirl and Leap

Mia had the rehearsal for her ballet recital today.  I tried to get some good pictures since they don't allow you to take pictures at the show tomorrow.  The stage lighting makes it difficult to get good photos.  She likes t-ball okay, but she really loves ballet.  I can see the difference when I look at pictures from yesterday at the game and today at the rehearsal.  She was just smiling up on stage like she was right in her element.  She has a confidence that I lacked at her age especially onstage.  The only performances I remember doing at 6 years old were in the children's choir at church.  Oddly enough, I wasn't usually too nervous when I would sing.  I almost always had a solo, and one time my brother and I even did one together.  I love to watch Mia onstage, and I'm happy that she likes it, too.

Batter Up

Mia finally had her first t-ball game of the season this morning.  She did well and even caught the ball when her team was out in the field.  She likes being on the team with her friends, and really enjoyed the ice cream that they passed out after the game. 

Caught it!

 

Win By Default

The rain has cancelled so many of Mia's t-ball games this season.  Last year, the first game was in April.  It's June, and we're just now having our first game.  At least, we were supposed to have the first game this evening.  When we got to the field, the other team had forfeited because they didn't have enough kids show up to play.  We ended up basically having a full dress practice.  The kids hadn't been to that field yet, so it was good for them to get familiar with it.  Quinn was restless, so Wes and I took turns walking around with him during the practice.  There is another game scheduled for tomorrow morning.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate so that they can play.

On our walk, I got a picture of baby boy with his hometown skyline in the background.

 They had to play on the playground for a minute after practice.

 

Last Day of Kindergarten

Today was Mia's last day of kindergarten.  You would think that like most kids, she would be shouting hooray that school is out for the summer, but it was just the opposite.  She has loved school this year and has adored her teachers, Ms. McGinley and Ms. Ferrusca.  She told me that sometimes kids get to go to kindergarten twice, so she wants to have Ms. McGinley as her teacher again next year.  She's so sad to leave her class.  I reminded her that she'll still see her at school, but I could tell that she knew it won't be the same.  I hope that she gets teachers this fantastic next year, too.  Her teachers this year have done more than just put facts in her head.  They've instilled an interest in learning and done so in a loving environment that Mia has just flourished in.  Her first year in the dual language program has been great, and I look forward to next year.  Now, I just need to convince her that first grade will be as fun as kindergarten.  Her class had a little ceremony in the classroom where they gave out achievement certificates and awards.  Mia won the Physical Education award for her class.