Nags Head Beach Trip 2021 - Part II

Moose loved looking out the sliding glass doors to watch ALL the dogs walking past. He especially loved all the new pillows to lay upon!

And ALL the food!! Moose ate good that week - we all did!

A cloudy day seemed like a nice day for a game of Putt-Putt. 

Tried out the "Lost Treasure Miniature Golf" course in Kill Devil Hills for Kade's first official putt-putt. Our team was on the hunt for Gold. (There are two courses - Gold and Diamonds) The first 9 holes went well - we took turns and cheered each other along. Then it quickly soured. Brock and Kade came to a more difficult course, didn't like that I scored them at four strokes (even though they actually did about 11) and Kade hit, and lost, his ball into the waterfall. Kade and Brock also got quite upset that their ball was "taken" on the last hole when it disappeared back to the main office. 

We talked some things out while we cooled off eating ice creams at Dairy Queen. Playing a game "just for fun" is a hard lesson to learn with my competitive boys.

I thought we still needed to burn off some steam, so we stopped over at the big playground near our house.  It was getting warmer and the humidity was ridiculous, so we didn't stay long.  

Let's go back to the beach!!

Poor Kade - he got stung by a jellyfish on our last beach day. He was complaining that his hand and belly were burning him and he rubbed some sand on it, telling me it made it feel better. I started packing up the stuff to head back, but he wanted me to bury him first. When we finally arrived back at the house, I saw just how bad the rash was! With the help of some Benadryl, the rash was all gone by the next day. He was lucky it wasn't one of the bad jellyfish from last year!

Our only dinner out that week, so get dressed nice! 

One last full day and it was to be the sunniest of all days! Off to the water park - H2OBX!

We were there when the park opened and immediately ran to the wave pool. The whole family went on one of the big water slides, but the boys were super thrilled to just hang out at this huge splash pad for the remainder of the visit (oh, and a few trips around the lazy river). 

Brent went down the insanely steep water slide where the floor just drops and you fall FAST. His sunglasses were in his bathing suit pocket and they blew out from the force of the slide. No thanks for me!

Last night at the beach, so we had to bring Moose for the sunset walk!

Next time, I'll have them just wear their bathing suits....... sand was EVERYWHERE! (Thank goodness for outdoor showers)

We were waiting patiently for the sun to fully go down before the crabs came out!

Brock, Moose, and Kade footprints!

Then it's on!!

Final thoughts on the beach trip. Overall, it was a good house with a great location. The mornings were tough - not the best night's sleep in very uncomfortable beds and being woken by bickering children.

We were there the first week of the Tokyo Olympics and it was so fun to watch the videos/highlights whenever we wanted. I had enough down time that I read an entire book (Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid)! Brock put together the Lego Surfer Beach house (564 pieces). Kade creatively turned his bunk bed into a new fort every day. Brent made great use of his mini Weber grill - even cooking filets on it one night!

Let's go home!

Nags Head Beach Trip 2021 - Part I

We made it to the beach!! Nags Head in July this year! We were hopeful the water would be a bit warmer and perhaps better fishing for Brent. 

The water was a bit still cool for me - but the boys seemed to enjoy just fine! After driving and unpacking on the first day, our first FULL day was spent at the beach! We loved being walking distance (3 blocks) to the beach access!

Carolina blue skies!

It's hard to get the boys out of the waves for some water and snacks! (and digesting!) 

Our beach house rental had a nice wrap porch on the second level with a gate so Moose could enjoy some sun off leash - and enjoy some popsicle!

Such a cute "little" tongue!

Early rise the next morning! We were ALL going fishing (minus Moose). We left the beach house at 5:45AM to put the boat in at Oregon Inlet. Happy faces with their new fishing shirts!

Took a quick video as we were leaving the ramp. 

Pretty moon ahead. 

Gorgeous sunrise behind us!

Patiently waiting for some fish. ;) 

Kade got to drive the boat a little while Brent and Brock were watching for birds. (Where there are birds, there are fish.)

What to do to pass the time - dance party!

He is just too funny!

Yay! A fish!! The boys caught a 16" ribbon fish. We kept it - it will make good bait when Brent goes fishing in the fall for King Mackerel. 

Alas, I think the young fisherman have reached their limits. 

Yeah, I think we are done!

And on the way back, they finally fell asleep together on the bean bag. This was our view when we returned to the boat ramp. 

They missed the part where Brent had to wait for another boat to pass under the bridge because we lost our "breadcrumbs" - the route we took when we went out in the morning was NOT going to work coming back in. There are only a few spots under the bridge that have enough depth to get you through safely. The waves were 5-7 feet high at the channel we took in the morning and if you choose the wrong path, you could find your boat stuck on a sandbar. Historically, the Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Inlet are the centers of the "Graveyard of The Atlantic" for their ability to sink boats. 

Stay tuned for Part II!

Wrap-Up of Baseball & Teeball 2021

This was a fun night - Brock had some powerful hits - here was a video of his line drive straight to the first base coach's feet!

Ball in mid-air!

And his swing!

Brock was covering first base and made some pretty good catches to get the other players out!

I only had one little bitty problem - that good-looking first base coach kept getting in the camera's way! 

Thanks Papa for coming out and watching our morning double header - Kade's game at 9AM and Brock at 10:30AM! 

Brock was really down on himself. He kept hitting the ball down the first base line and not taking the advice of his coaches to move his feet or his swing. There will be days when you have to play for the team and not just for yourself. In an effort to teach good sportsmanship, Brent had him write out 4 things that he can do differently. 

Back to Kade's tee ball - Kade loved to be in the center of the action. He thoroughly enjoyed playing in the pitcher's position!

And just like a true tee-baller, he ran to EVERY ball. 

Yup, not thrilled with being in the outfield. Many a time I caught him and others on his team playing in the dirt or looking out to the grass, glove on head, etc. 

I was on the field helping as first base coach, so I was telling the player in front of Kade to run to second as I snuck in a quick video of my boy hitting off the tee!

It was a hot day - Kade's game ended a bit early because it was so hot outside. Worked out well for us, as Brock's game was going on at the field next door at the same exact time. We were able to walk over and watch a bit of Brock's game. 

Brock at first base again. 

Cardinals' Team Photo with Coach Anthony & Assistant Coach Brent!

Kade's last game of the season, he asked me to take another picture of him! 

Also took the last game of the season for me to find a baseball bag at a consignment fair! Looks like a true Teeballer now! 

Final thoughts on Brock and Kade's progression: 

Brock started out strong, hit a slump, but after watching the Home Run Derby, he made a few adjustments and really saw some big improvement in putting the ball all over the field. At the end of the season, Brock's hits were stronger and his catches had improved.  

Kade went out there, never having played before and made the best with his team. He naturally picked up the game, dealing with distractions of dirt, grass, other kids, etc! He was so excited when he would run the bases and get to home plate. 

Lastly, I'm going to sneak this in here.... a few nice pictures of our quick visit with Aunt Carol & Uncle Jeff up at my Dad & Phyllis' house.