August Adventures

Kemper,

I am way behind on writing your blog this month, but we've had all the adventures!  After returning from Montreat you had some fun mornings with Ms. Candance.  I cannot be more thankful for how well it worked out to have her hang out with you this summer, you had such a great time.  I know how lucky we are to find someone we already knew and trusted to spend time with you.   You also went to a science camp at preschool and brought back something different that you had created every day.  I don't even remember them all now, but glitter was certainly a main ingredient. :)    We also celebrated Dalton's 3rd birthday at his pool party.  I greatly enjoyed watching all the toddlers lick the icing off of their cupcakes and leave the cake on the counter....glad you aren't alone in that.

Our greatest adventure of the month was your third (second that you remember) trip to the beach.  We were blessed once again by Aunt Ida's generosity and were able to stay at their home near Emerald Isle.  We were able to go down a day early and stay with Ida and Woody at their home in New Bern and celebrate your cousin Mandy's birthday, which went off quite well considering the torrential downpour before the party started.  It is really wonderful for you to be able to play with your cousins, Jodie's son Grayson is only about a year older than you and you play quite well together.  It was also fun to watch your protectiveness of the baby cousins to be sure they didn't eat any of the smaller toys or climb up the stairs.

We went into New Bern on Sunday evening and had dinner with old friends (has it been long enough to say old after 15 years of knowing a person, Corinne?)  Corinne and Jeremy.  It is always a treat for Daddy and I to spend time with them, truly two of our favorite people.  You take a shine to most people, especially men, so you quickly formed a bond with Jeremy.  They were kind to take us over to the playground across the street and for a walk around town after dinner.  What a cute little town! It was fun for me to see the place where your Papa Bass grew up.


Papa and Beba came down for a few days during our trip.  Papa made homemade ice cream and it was delicious! Who knew he had an ice cream machine in the attic as old as your mother?

 Wednesday much of your family came and took us out on the boats! We went to Shackleford Island and while we didn't see any wild ponies we had lots of fun swimming in the shallow, calm waters.  Your dad took Beba out on the jet ski! You were very leery of getting out in the water with us but after about an hour, when you realized we weren't going to sit on the boat with you, you joined me.  "I'm swimming, Mama! This is fun!"  Your dad was particularly proud of you for your short ride on the jet ski with us.   When I asked you at the end of our vacation what your favorite part of the trip was you told me it was riding on the boat.   We enjoyed a dinner out with many of your cousins that evening.

We went fishing out on the dock one morning.  Papa caught a crab and Daddy a flounder. You quickly tired of the waiting game that is fishing. We went to the aquarium one morning before your grandparents left.  It was a great time to go because it was not yet crowded.  You saw lots of beautiful creatures, but you practically ran through the place! My favorite was a young sea turtle who will be released into the wild in October.

Most days we went out to the beach for a little while and several times your cousins came with us. You and Grayson made ice cream for us out of sand and little Sayla enjoyed eating it (for real).  I think perhaps you were a sand crab in another life.  You really love to dig in the sand, have us build castles and then stomp on them.  You were scared of the ocean which is understandable, but you really wanted to go to the ocean and be close to Daddy who may really be a merman (hahaha). By the last day you would sit at the edge of the surf with me and enjoy the splashing water.  

Again, I must say how truly thankful we are to be building relationships with this side of your family.  As an only child, I have always felt closer bonds to my extended family-aunts, uncles, and cousins.  One day, your generation of the family will need each other and so I hope you will get to know them in the years to come.  There is something to be said for the generosity of family.  We are very lucky because all of your family is kind and generous.  You have the most devoted grandparents and an aunt and uncle who love you dearly.  And you also have great aunts and uncles, and cousins who make sure to let you know you are loved.  Being an only child does not mean that you are alone, I hope you never feel that way.

Coming home after an adventure such as the beach can be difficult but we have had some fun. We went out to dinner one night and took you to the mall for a train ride.  Your joy was infectious.  The video Daddy captured was absolutely precious, I've watched it about a million times. When we returned home last week you were able to go and spend a few days with Grams and Papa Bass at their new house.  What fun to be able to go the fair and ride the carousel with your belly full of fried foods and cotton candy! You were able to visit with Aunt Mert and Uncle Nick which I know you enjoyed if the video Mert sent your Daddy is any indication.  You must have lived life to the fullest because you slept about 11 hours the night you came home.

Today we are going to celebrate Labor Day at Dalton's house.  I think you will get to see Dalton and Maya, a fun reunion for sure.  Tomorrow you return to school.  You will be in Ms. Fiona's class and I think this will be a great fit.  Your little friend Emmi is going to be in your class so I know you will be excited to play with her.  Everyone at church and preschool are ready to see you, as you usually make your rounds, saying hello and getting treats in the office.  I am looking forward to seeing what the next month of life will bring.  Potty use!? Finger's crossed.

XOXO,

Mommy

Favorites (asked at this very moment)
Favorite Color: pink
Favorite Song: 10, 000 Reasons
Favorite Food: Mac & Cheese
Favorite Show: Mickey Mouse Club House
Favorite Toys: Paw Patrol
Favorite thing to say: "Sure"