Beach Baby!

Pearce and I just got back from going to the beach with Mama and Papa!  Oh my goodness, it was so much fun!  He spent the previous week with them just by himself while I came home and enjoyed time to myself, then I went back to Dallas and off we went to Gulf Shores!  We drove halfway to Monroe, LA and spent the night and then the rest of the way the following day.  Pearce did really well with the long car rides and we were all so thankful!  When we got to Monroe, we went to eat dinner and then decided we needed to let Pearce burn some energy and luckily there was a big outdoor area with lots of walking trails right next to our hotel.  We didn't realize how long the trails were and about an hour later, we were finally out of the maze!  It was really neat to walk through these wooded trails and there was absolutely no doubt that Pearce burned a ton of energy on them!  We got up bright and early Saturday morning and were off again for the rest of our drive to the beach.  Pearce slept part of the way and once again, did really well with the drive.  We got to the beach around 2:00 that afternoon and after getting everything unloaded, we got our suits on and headed to the beach!  Pearce loved the waves and the sand and running and playing!  We stayed at the beach for a few hours and then decided we were already wet, so let's go do the lazy river at the condo!  We stayed at The Caribe Resort Condominiums and it was definitely resort-like.  There were tons of pools all over and a lazy river, too!  Poor Mama totally flipped over backwards while trying to get on her tube :)  Pearce used his floaties and just floated with us.  Then we all took showers and got cleaned up and went out to eat at the restaurant right next door.  For having a half day at the beach, it definitely FELT like a full day!  We kept that same schedule the rest of the time we were there....beach in the morning, home for Pearce's nap, pool in the evening.  Pearce loved swimming at the pool because there were several shallow areas where he could touch, plus there was a neat water slide that we would do together and Pearce wanted to do it over and over and over again!  On Sunday, we went for an early dinner after Pearce woke up and then took him to The Track to ride a few kiddie rides.  He LOVED them!!!  He rode the swings, the train, and the airplanes.  After that, we decided we needed some ice cream.  That was such a fun evening!  On Monday, we went to the National Seashore in Pensacola to try out the beach there.  It was so gorgeous!  We loved this beach because there were just a few people there and just very natural.  In fact, these beaches don't get plowed, so the waves actually beat into the shore and made an actual little cliff of sand!  Pearce loved climbing up and sliding down the sand cliffs.  It was just so much fun to watch him play in the water and have fun.  On our last day, Tuesday, we were at the beach, and we found a dead fish in the water.  So, I got it in a bucket to show Pearce.  Then we noticed a big Blue Heron standing near the water's edge.  So I threw the fish towards it and eventually he walked over and got the fish and worked on breaking it up so he could eat it.  After he ate it, he walked a little closer to where we were sitting and just stood and watched us for about 45 minutes!  It was so fun to watch!  After staying at the beach for a couple hours, we decided to go to Pensacola where they had an area of food trucks.  We all got something different and we all loved it!  It was a cute area because there were lots of tables and umbrellas to sit under.  Pearce had fun eating his grilled cheese and walking under the misters they had going.  On our last night, Mom and I were talking about what we liked best about our little beach vacay.  We both said we loved watching Pearce play and have fun, but we also really liked our time together during Pearce's naps.  After I put Pearce down for a nap, Mom and I would go get coffee and talk :)  One day we went and got manicures and pedicures and then got coffee.  It was so simple, but so fun to just have time together.  Wednesday morning, we had to wake up bright and early...5:00 am!!  I got Pearce up at 5:30 and we were in the car driving by 6:00 am.  I was unsure how Pearce would do on the ride home because it would be a 12-13 hour car ride back to Dallas.  Well, we all could not believe how perfectly he did!  He really did not cry or have a fit at all!  He just looked out the window with his BB's, watched Milo and Otis on the iPad, looked at his books, or slept.  We stopped a few times, but made great time and got home by 6:30 that evening!  We all laughed when at one point he said, "Papa, where you taking me?"  We spent one more night at Mama and Papa's house and then drove back to Austin yesterday.  Thank you Mama and Papa for taking us to the beach!!!  We had such a great time!!!!   

Mama holding an ice pack on Pearce's mouth because he fell and bumped his lip :(  Mama made it all better, though!

This was Pearce's set up at Mama and Papa's house....his little table for his snacks, his little chair to watch TV in, and his baby doll that he loved to rock :)

Papa's car was packed to the top!!!

 

 

 

Otis and Sissy spent one night at Doggy Daycare while we were gone.  Pearce had fun going to get them when we got back.  The doggies were worn out!!

Naughty, Naughty!

Last week, I was getting ready to go out for the evening and Chris was on his way home to keep Pearce.  Pearce was watching a show on TV while I finished getting ready.  I had just checked on him, then two minutes later he wasn't watching TV.  I found him in my bathroom digging in my eyeshadow!  He had it ALL over him, and the floor.  I quickly got him and put him in the tub....then went to get my camera :)  This was the first time he had gotten into anything and made a mess, so I just couldn't be mad.  After he was contained, I surveyed the damage and was pretty sick about it.  What's worse is that he had gotten two eye shadow palettes out....my nice, expensive one, and a cheap one....and he chose the expensive one, of course!  Oh well....still love you, little guy!!

Shaving and Red Rain Boots

Pearce has been wanting to pretend shave and after grabbing my razor and nearly shaving his face off, I found a shaving kit just for him!  He had so much fun with it in the bathtub and every night, he "shaves" now....just like Daddy!  While I was out, I decided to pop into Carter's and found the cutest little red rain boots, so I just HAD to get those for him, too.  He has worn them every night with his pajamas.  I can't wait for it to rain so that he can wear them in the rain!

Fun with Cousins!

Last week, Ash, Nay Nay, and Charlotte came to visit us and we had so much fun!  We were pretty much on the go from Sunday to Thursday....and Pearce and I loved every minute!  They got here right as Pearce was waking up from his nap, so he loved that Nay Nay and Charlotte woke him up.  They played for a while and then we went to Mt. Playmore which is a cool new indoor play area.  They had the best time at this place!  Then we went to get a burger and one of my favorite burger places and then of course, we had to go get ice cream :)  Monday, we had to wake up Pearce early so that he could go to his 2.5 year well check.  Nathan and Charlotte went with me which made it fun for Pearce.  He got a great report and then we left to go home and get Ash so we could head to the splash pad.  We went to the Quarry splash pad which is huge with lots of sprayers.  After Pearce's nap, we decided to go swimming since we were already wet from the splash pad.  Pearce and Charlotte loved swimming together and Nathan decided to brave the big slide!  He loved it and did it over and over.  On Tuesday we took the kids to the movie to see Planes, Fire and Rescue.  I totally thought Pearce would love this movie because it was about planes and fire AND because Nathan and Charlotte would be with us.  Well, we got all the kids their snacks and settled in and about 15 minutes later, Pearce was restless and wanted to walk around.  After trying to get him to sit in his seat, I gave up and went to sit with him on the steps.  He watched the  movie off and on, but mostly played on the steps...I think it'll be another year before we brave the movie theater again :)  That night we went to my other favorite burger place and let the kids play on the outdoor playscape.  Then we decided to walk next door and watch people do the indoor skydiving.  Ash casually asked how old you had to be to do it and the guy said 3 and up....when Nathan heard that he went crazy and begged asked if he could please do it.  Ash said yes!  He took a little 30 min class to learn the signs and then it was his turn.  I could not believe he wasn't the least bit scared!  He even got to go up with two instructors and they did twists and turns and took him to the very top!  It was so fun to watch Nay Nay!!  Wednesday, we decided to take the kids to the children's museum, The Thinkery.  They loved all of the hands on activities.  We met my friend, Heather and Cade and Claire there, too.  We decided to let Pearce skip his afternoon nap so we could go to this neat pool I had heard about.  It's called the Veteran's Memorial Pool and it was kid heaven!  Waterslides, fountains, a huge wading pool for toddlers.  We packed a lunch and then headed over.  Nathan was once again Mr. Brave doing a tall water slide and also jumping off a tall platform!  Pearce and Charlotte did the toddler slides and playscape.  I loved this pool because of the large shallow area...Pearce and Charlotte had so much fun swimming together.  Thursday, Ash and Nathan and Charlotte had to go home.  We were so sad to see them go but excited to see them again this week for Nathan's birthday party!  We had such a great time together, as always!!!!