Beach bums

We just returned from an awesome week at the beach with my parents (Gran and Pop), Minor, Miriam, and Katie. Talk about a fun vacation...every day we would wake up and eat breakfast on the balcony overlooking the ocean. Then we would put on our bathing suits, head to the pool and burn off all those waffles and donuts by playing in the water with Owen until lunchtime. After lunching and napping, we'd head back out to the beach to play in the sand and waves. At night, we took turns cooking dinner and would wrap up the day playing games, going to the playground, or getting out and about in Orange Beach. I think the highlights for Owen, in no particular order, had to be:
- getting a Spiderman floatie from Aunt Mimi
- going to see Wall-e, one of the best movies I've seen in a long, long time
- riding the ferris wheel at the Wharf (although it was preceeded by a major meltdown while waiting in line)

Owen also really enjoyed spending one afternoon playing with our friends Sydney (age 5) and Landon (age 3.5). He is usually the oldest kid in the playgroup, so it was fun to watch him try to keep up with the big kids. By the end of the afternoon, Owen had decided that he was a big kid too. Now he tells us repeatedly throughout the day that he is a big kid, he is eating a big kid sandwich, he is sitting in his chair like a big kid. We're just hoping that soon we can add using the big kid potty to that list!

On the recommendation of one of the parents at the pool, my parents got Owen a Safe T. Seal vest. It's kind of like a life jacket, but less bulky. It has small styrofoam panels in the front and back that you can remove as your child becomes a better swimmer. Owen was a little timid at first, but by the end of the week he was dog paddling around the pool like a pro.

Owen got lots of love and attention all week. He was generally very sweet and entertaining, with only a few toddler moments here and there. As soon as we made it home, he put on his Spiderman pajamas and arm band, grabbed his Spiderman frisbee and water bottle, and sat down on the couch to watch, what else, Spiderman. Here are a few pictures of our week at the beach:

Aunt Mimi's hat and the beloved Spiderman floatie. He even tried to feed Spiderman a corndog one day at lunch!

Just a swangin'

Pretending to nap with Uncle Minor, fake snoring and all

Catching bubbles with Pop...check out those new shoes!

Gran's birthday present, a hand-painted tote bag. That's a rainbow, in case you couldn't tell.