Nana Was Here!

Nana came for a visit on Wednesday.  The kids were anxiously awaiting her arrival.  Chuck E. Cheese's was our first stop.  There are tons of things to do in Atlanta but Chuck E Cheezits is always at the top of the list. They had lots of fun showing Nana their favorite games and rides.  Nana might have even played a few games herself!

 
The next day we were off to the zoo.  Another kid favorite.  I do love our zoo, it's not terribly big and the whole thing is in the shade.  It's just a wonderful place to take the kids.  We saw tons of animals, they all seemed to be out.  Jake read all the animals off to us, his reading ability is amazing!  Of course, riding the carousel was the highlight.  It was Grace's first ride.  She loved it.  Just smiled the entire time.

The next day we took Nana to the Aquarium.  This is probably Julianna's favorite place.  She loves the sea otters.  She could really stand there for an hour and watch them.  Jake will not have that, he is always asking "what's next."  He could probably tour the entire place in 15 minutes.  But we enjoyed ourselves and finished the morning with the dolphin show (my personal favorite).  Now you have to go in 30 minutes early so I try to bring snacks but Grace is miserable for the entire 30 minutes.  But once that show starts all three kids are mesmerized.  Grace claps for the dolphins it is sooo cute!  On the way out Nana said they could pick out a souvenir.  Jake instantly picks a snow globe because he has "always wanted one."  Julianna heads straight for the pink stuffed dolphin then insists Grace also needs a pink dolphin.  So off we went with a snow globe and two pink dolphins.  Everyone was happy!

Yes, happy until we got home and Nana had to leave.  Jake cried.  Julianna cried.  Grace just waved and blew kisses.  We had such a fun time!  Nana come back SOON!

Beach Trip

Today we drove back from St. George Island.  If you remember last year we went there for our beach vacation and a hurricane ran us home.  This year, no hurricane but lots of rain.  We made it to the beach a couple times and swam in the pool, so the kids were happy.  

Jake and Julianna LOVED spending time with their cousins, John Payne and Kimsey Grace.  They shared a room and took turns sleeping on the air mattress.  Grace and Logan (just 2 weeks apart) terrorized each other.  Logan is very vocal and RUNS everywhere.  Grace has a little more chunk to carry so she isn't so quick but would snatch his toys and look totally sweet and innocent.  She was pretty happy chasing after him.  They even shared snacks on the beach.

In spite of the rain we managed to get to the beach three times.  Julianna was a little skittish at first but warmed up quicker than in past years.  Grace, however, showed no fear.  Would walk straight into the waves.  And let me tell you the waves were rough.  She just laughed and went further out.  Fell in the water came up sputtering but with a big smile.  

 Jake had lots of fun adding to his seashell collection.  Aunt Anna told him he could hear the ocean in this one...he was amazed.  He always has lots of fun at the beach jumping in the waves.  I asked what his favorite part of our beach vacation was he said "well, the beach of course!"

 

We also had to do our annual beach photo shoot.  We waited until the last day and it rained.  Of course.  But we got a few so this is the best.  Maybe someday my kids will all be willing to look at the camera and smile.