Who's Brave?

Two years ago when we went to Cape May Kirsten was petrified of the boardwalk rides.
We actually stood in line and when it was time to get on she screamed and cried.
We got off the ride.
We held onto the ride card for another year.

Last year we again went to the boardwalk.
This time we went with her cousin Remi and the big guy Ryan.
Kirsten made some improvement.
She got on the flying elephants and the merry-go-round.
She tried the little swings with Remi but that didn't go over to well.
Kirsten screamed and cried the entire ride.
She even bit her lip.

This year was very different.
Kirsten wanted to ride everything that she could.
Addison could care a less what we put her on.
She went on everything with a peep! 

Kirsten even went on the bumper cars.
This was a complete shock.
She seemed to love it.

What a difference a year makes!
Kirsten was actually asking to go back to the boardwalk a second night.
Disney could be even more a success than I thought.
Kirsten will enjoy meeting the characters and the rides.

Photoshoot

I knew the photographer we used last year did "on-location beach" sessions.
I checked out her website...
I wanted to do it but just wasn't sure if I wanted to do it now or wait for holiday photos.
The session itself is not all that expensive.
It's the prints...the prints that I fall in love with.

I kept checking.. knowing we were going to be in Cape May.
An email came through...an email that highlighted her beach sessions with a great offer. 
I felt like it was meant to be.
I emailed and made the appointment.

Carolyn met us across from our hotel.
The session lasted about an hour.
Everyone cooperated...for the most part.
Addison was a little clingy but we got her to smile...however some of my favorite prints are serious ones.
My mom was with us so she took some with her point and shoot camera.
They were a little dark because of the sun shining that day.
I've lightened them a little.
You get the picture.
Enjoy!

You can also check Carolyn's blog!
She has just added a few "sneak peek" pictures.

Take Two

It was back to Cape May last week.
We planned a short trip back to the shore.
This time we stayed at Congress Hall.

The hotel itself was wonderful.
We had two adjoining rooms.
It was great because we had somewhere to go at naptime and then at night when the girls went to bed.

Congress Hall comes with many nice amenities.
For one, we didn't have to bring beach chairs or towels.
That also meant that we didn't have to carry them down to the beach.
They had a great pool for us to swim in.
There was turn down service.
It's nice not having to worry about making beds for a few days. 

The beach across from Congress Hall is dry and difficult to walk in.

The first day Addison wasn't too thrilled with the type of sand.
Kirsten didn't mind.
She was in the sand in a matter of minutes.
It took Addison a bit longer.

Addison was better off sitting on the blanket.
Yes, and getting sand on it too.
She eventually warmed up to the sand.

Unlucky for us we went down the shore on one of the hottest weeks of the summer.
On this first day there was absolutely NO wind, breeze...nothing.
It was hot.
We were HOT.
We didn't last too long on the beach.
It was long enough for me.
I'm not a huge beach person.
If the water was clear it would be a different story.
It's hard for me to cool off because I don't like to swim in the ocean.
However, we will continue to visit the shore as long as the girls enjoy it.
The smiles on their faces are enough for me.

Stay tuned for more details about our Cape May trip.
There were a few "firsts" on the trip.
I wanted to give them their own post.

Wordless Wednesday

Monkey See, Monkey Do continues.

It's actually more intense.

Addison looks silly with the headband but she wanted one on because her beloved sister had one.

Jet Plane

I'm leaving on a jet plane to see two GREAT long-time friends.
The short trip isn't until the beginning of November.
However, I'm excited.

Amy and Amy are two of the BEST friends in the world. 
I can't wait to get together and spend the weekend with them.
We will spending the time together in Tuscon, Arizona.
The November weather will be spectacular. 
A bonus!
NO children joining us for TWO WHOLE DAYS! 

The last time we all got together was three years ago in Punta Cana.
That trip was almost canceled because of a hurricane but we finally made it.
The entire families went.
There were four kids between us.
We had a GREAT time and vowed to do it again. 
I'm sad to say that hasn't happened. 
Two summers ago I was 9 months pregnant with Addison.
Then nine months later Amy had Trey.
Then nine months after that Amy had Tyler. 
We now have seven kids between us. 
All the families have grown. 
We will plan another family trip soon.

If I try to think back to the last time the three ladies got together it was a LONG time ago.
I believe we traveled to Atlanta to do a weekend thing. 
I believe it was the summer after the Summer Olympics were in Atlanta.
That would have been in 1997. 
That was 13 years ago.
Wow!  That's way to LONG.
Many things have happened between then and now....three marriages...seven births...

We don't have specific plans currently.
We just know that we are spending the weekend together with NO children.
Whatever we end up doing it will be great to catch up and spend quality time together. 
How days until I leave?

A Milestone

The girls went to the dentist for the first time last Friday.
I've been wanting to make an appointment for a while now.
Kirsten had a dentist visit her school in the Spring.
I was online searching for that dentist.
As I was searching I came across a pediatric dentist.
I visited his website and was impressed that he was ranked as a Top Doc in Philadelphia Magazine this year.
So, I decided to try him out.
The girls new dentist is Kids First Pediatric Dentistry.

When I called we were actually able to get an appointment very quickly.
It was a little embarrassing telling them that Kirsten has never been to the dentist.

When we arrived at the small office they had a welcome sign under the check-in counter.

I LOVED that touch.
I had a good feeling.
We arrived a little early and the girls seemed happy to play with the toys.

Kirsten was all smiles.
She was even all smiles when the hygienist came out to get us.
She walked back to the chair just fine.
I was shocked.
That actually didn't last long.
She wouldn't get in the dentist chair.
We tried for a few minutes but she wasn't having it.
While we waited for Dr. Andy I took a few pictures of the office.
And tried to convince Kirsten to get in the chair.

Dr. Andy arrived and we started talking.
Kirsten wanted Addison to go first.

So, Addison was up first.
He does a lap exam with Addison's age.
Dr. Andy and I sat knee to knee.
Addison laid between the two of us on our legs.
She screamed the entire time.
That was no shock to me.
He actually said that was better because he could clean her teeth.
Addison's teeth looked fine.
She had a little tarter build up but nothing major.
Her four canine teeth are just starting to cut the gum.

Next up, Kirsten!
We tried again to get her into the chair.
She still wasn't having it. 
So, Dr. Andy did another lap exam.
Surprisingly, Kirsten's teeth were very good.
She had no cavities and very little tarter!
It must be all the water she drinks.
I've never let them drink juice on a regular basis.
That will continue that as long as I can.
I believe it's empty calories and lots of sugar on their teeth.
Kirsten did very well even though was on my lap.
I'm hoping next time she will sit in the chair. 

After the cleaning, Dr.Andy felt like they could try to get x-rays of Kirsten's mouth.
He was correct.
The hygienist was able to get all three x-rays.
She did a great job.

The x-rays looked great!
Both girls are good to go for another 6 months.
However, we do have some homework.
We need to floss. (That's a no brainer when you visit a dentist!)
The girls also have to give up their binkie's when they sleep.
Yeah, that's going to be a little harder.
We might try to tackle that one when school starts. 
I was highly impressed with the office and Dr. Andy.
I'm happy the girls had a wonderful first dental experience.