"I Did It"

Kemper (or Pemper as you refer to yourself), 

"I do it."  "Pemper do dat."   These are words that are spoken regularly in our home these days.  But my favorite of all is when you run to one of us, grinning ear to ear and say, "I did it!" This typically happens when you have mastered something you once asked for help with such as taking lids off of Tupperware and removing your shoes. Proud moments like these are becoming increasingly more frequent and we are reminded daily how quickly you are growing up.  Just today I was told that you put your shoes on by yourself at school.  Last night you went to bed without your "paci" for the first time ever.  EVER! You didn't reach that goal tonight but I am not complaining.  

You are finally adjusting to your new class at school.  You no longer cry every morning and cling to me as I leave. You seem more comfortable to greet your teachers and friends.  I was even pushed out the door one morning this week. "Bye, Mommy!"  So, even on those days when you do turn on the water works, know that I am on to you kid.  I see you happy as a clam when I return in the afternoons.  I see you.

The highlight of the last month has of course been our much anticipated trip to the beach! We spent a week in Emerald Isle with your Papa Bass and Grams.  We got to spend a lot of time with your extended family too, taking boat rides with your Great Grandma, Aunt Ida, and your cousins! We had such a wonderful trip and I wish that I had written a special blog post about your first beach experience right after, or during the trip because your enthusiasm (and trepidation) were so palpable throughout the trip.  I will try to hit the highlights.

• The Ocean:  Everyone was so excited to get to the ocean we drove out to the beach upon our arrival about 9:00 PM on our first night.  You kept saying, "I go see ocean!" "I go to beeeeech." But when you actually saw it you were terrified.  Each time Papa Bass or Daddy put their feet in the water you screamed bloody murder, scared they would get hurt.  Your concern was so sweet but it made beach visits a little difficult.  Eventually you enjoyed playing in the sand and ultimately getting it everywhere.  You even got in the water just a tiny bit, mostly in the calmer waters of the sound.  Rest assured, after you experienced it you said, "I played in water! I swam in ocean with whales.  I did it!" As though this were the greatest joy of your life to date.  

• The Boats: Again, talking about the boat was an exciting prospect for you, but the execution at first was not so enjoyable.  But, in the end you did great.  You rocked your life-jacket like a pro!  I believe that Aunt Ida was very wise to bring your cousin Grayson, who is about a year older than you so that you could become friends.  Grayson is an accomplished seaman so he was pleased to show you the ropes.  We had much fun traveling by boat and jet-ski one day with Aunt Corinne & Uncle Jeremy and then the next day to Shackleford Island and Beaufort with family.  We even saw a few wild horses from afar.

• The Pool: I wasn't sure we'd get you into the pool at Aunt Ida's farm mid-week but we did! It took you a long while but eventually you clung to me less and the little float more.  Seeing your older cousins enjoying the water surely helped.  "I did it.  I swimmin!" 
• The Dock:  Fishing and Crabbing took place at home on the peaceful sound.  We put your life-jacket on each time you went out there to fish with Papa Bass and Daddy.  As with anything, fishing didn't hold your attention for long.  You did however enjoy going to see "cabs" and clapping your hands together like claws.  
• The Food:  You liked to order out at restaurants.  You loved to request "mac and cheese" from the waitresses before anyone else placed their orders.  This worked for you, you often got your meal first.  You also had zero qualms about ordering seconds.  :)
• The Aquarium:  In the two years of your life I have never seen you more excited and in awe of anything as you were in the aquarium.  We went with Daddy's cousin Jodi and her lovely family so that you all could play together.  I thought, "oh we'll keep him in the stroller."  That was a no go.  You bounced from one tank to the other, cutting through lines of tanned limbs and pressed yourself right up to the glass.  "Oh! Shark! Oh! Turtle!"  We also had to bring a dolphin stuffed animal home from the aquarium because your cousins had one at the beach house and we knew by your attachment we better have one in the car to come home.  

 

I am so very thankful to Bass and Debbie for arranging such a great trip for our family.  It meant a lot to us to have your grandparents there to help us with you.  It gave us an opportunity to have dates and special time with our friends while you did fun stuff with them.  We cannot thank Aunt Ida enough for opening her beautiful home to us.  It was truly a gift! We were blessed to have her and cousin Taylor to show us around the area so much.  We hope this will be the beginning of a stronger relationship between our families, it meant a lot to us to be with them. 

After such a fun trip it was hard for us to get back into a good routine, we wanted more vacation time! You also hurt your elbow somehow at school when we came back.  It's called nurse-maid's elbow and it was a very easy fix with a trip to the doctor.  It has made you more cautious in your play because now when I say, "be careful" you respond, "No fall down. No hurt elbow."  

 Last week Daddy had to travel for work to Atlanta but you and I managed with a little help from Papa Tate & Beba and Papa Bass & Grams.  We are so lucky! They made sure we were fed and entertained.  You enjoyed going to "get that Daddy airplane" on Friday night.  

You've brought us lots of laughs recently.  We love getting you to dance in the car, preferably to greatest hits of the 90's.  You've also been turning around and singing, "Shake yo' booty."  No idea who taught you that..... Your giggles are absolutely infectious.

Time will not slow, I know that.  We must try to enjoy you every moment we can.  You're a good kid, a great kid in fact.  We love you.  And we love hearing you say that back.

Love,
Mommy