Nags Head 2020 Beach Trip - Part I

We had been preparing for our annual beach trip for months. We decided to rent a home in South Nags Head, thinking it would be better for us to "unplug".... not realizing what Covid-19 would leave us in June. Ah, a new place to quarantine?

Since we were going to be spending a little more time at the beach house (instead of going out to eat), we decided to pack a little more on our trip - including the Traeger - see below for our U-Haul. I pulled it with the 4Runner!

The boys were super excited about their "secret fort" - aka the loft area above the family room.

Moose was upset he couldn't join the crew!

The boys making sure Moose's bed is nice and comfortable!

Okay, time for why we are here!! Let's all go to the beach!!

Here's a video of our first day at the beach. 

Blaine!!!

Yup, with Kade - it's always time to battle!

Cousins!!

Our first full day was also Father's Day!

Kade's Father's Day gift to Brent: "My Dad is the best at exercising!"

Picture with all the boys!

Brock 7, Brent, Kade 4.9999, Blaine 20, Grandpa

Unfortunately the day before we were to leave, my dear niece Reagan became very sick and had to return to Nashville. My mother-in-law opted to drive back with Reagan and her Dad after he flew in to get her, so neither Barbara or Reagan joined us this trip. It was NOT the same without them. :(

June Week with Reagan

Reagan came to visit us a week before our annual beach trip! 

We put her right to work on the tee ball mound!

Hitting from both sides!!

We took the boat out to Jordan Lake with the whole group. It was finally warm enough to get in the water!

The boys were even brave enough to jump in the water all by themselves! (with life jackets)

Every now and then they have a cute brotherly moment!

Okay, warm is relative..... when Kade's lips started turning blue, we decided to call it and head home for the day! (Alas, no pictures of Reagan on the boat, but she was there!)

Cousin picture with popsicles!!

My goofy boy!

The kids' hair salon was finally open - no more butchered hair cuts from Mom!

Reagan wanted to visit some schools in the area while she was here - first up, NC State! It was definitely a little eerie to walk around the campus with just a handful of people around.

I haven't been through some of these areas in awhile - it was really cool to see all the changes!

Free Expression Tunnel

A few days later, Brent and I took Reagan around Chapel Hill to visit Carolina! I think Brent was just as excited to be there..... in the holy land (as Brent calls it).

We found the Softball Field!!

Yup, we like these pictures! Maybe someday!!!

Brock's Last Day of First Grade

The last few months of school were a little tough for Brock (as it were for all kids out there....) Changing to virtual learning was a huge transition for all of us. My little introvert thoroughly enjoyed working from home, most of the time - especially his math problems or any educational websites.  The reading and comprehension of new topics were a little bit more difficult.

Every night I created a schedule for him to follow during his day. I found that his regular schoolwork was at times not challenging enough (math), nor simply not full enough to last the day, so this gave him a little bit more to do until I found time to work with him. 

Brent and I fully understood this was busy work for him. But, it was better than him watching television for the entire afternoon by himself!

Brock's teacher held a google meetup every morning with the class. She gave them different topics (show and share, bring a joke, etc) and allowed every child who attended a chance to speak.

The school/First Grade team put out some amazing virtual learning daily lessons and week-long activities. Brock's favorite was "Create a zoo map."

We even recorded a video of him explaining his map to his teacher!

 He had daily journals to do for me. Some were so typical Brock.

Mixed in with whatever "freebie" printables I could find on Teachers Pay Teachers. (You can only do so much typing on a computer - especially at 7 years old!)

Another fun activity - Brock's water habitat.

The week before school officially ended, Brock and I drove over to the school for their "drive-thru" end of year pick up. It was so bittersweet. The same carpool lane we used to drop Brock off the last two years, ended in a quick quarantine brown paper bag pick up of all of his folders, papers, and end-of-year treats from his teachers.

But we made it through. Brock completed First Grade! 

Look how much he's grown just from the start of the year!

On to SECOND GRADE!! :)