Summer Kickoff!!!!!

This weekend was the official kick-off to summer. We packed up things and took off to the shore! We are there most years but every once in a while we don't make it there - but not this year!!!! It was a beautiful weekend - not a cloud in the sky all 3 days! My sister and Abby made it down so we had a full house!

Saturday started with a bike ride to the annual HUGE yard sale! A section of the island has this community yard sale every year! We were on a mission this year. Several years ago we purchased an "Alleycat" bike there and were looking for a second. An "Alleycat" bike is a one wheeled bike for kids that attaches to the seat of an adult bike so that they ride tandem. It's great for the shore since it will be a long time before I allow Jacob to ride by himself down there! The first street we went down, BINGO! Found one just like our first one. It needs a bit of restoration but a whole $5! You can now buy one at Walmart or Target for not too much but $5!!!! That was a bargain that even made Eric glad he went to a yard sale! We also found my sister a bike seat that mounts to the front on her handle bars for Abby! Again, another deal $15! After lunch we met up with a few of our friends, the Keltons and Hunts at the local playground. After a few hours of chasing each other around, they were all (9 kids in total) beginning to show signs of exhaustion! It was a bit cool for the beach so the playground was a good alternative! A good snack was in order after playing so water ice for everyone! After dinner our family ventured up to the boardwalk for our first official visit of the year! To our surprise, the crowds were relatively light! It goes without saying that everyone slept very well that night!
Sunday was another picture perfect day and a bit warmer too! We all decided to hit the beach! It was great to put our toes in the sand for the first time! Our friends the Davis' drove down for the day to join us. The water was really chilly (57 degrees to be exact) but that did not stop the kids from venturing in many times throughout the day! Truly crazy kids! When they weren't in the water, they were helping the dads build a massive sand castle. The dads got them started but the kids really finished it off! Good job guys! Speaking of guys, they left the moms and the kids mid afternoon to inaugurate the new kayak! The ocean was too risky of getting wet w/ the waves so they opted for the back bay. Although a short expedition, I'm told they had a lot of fun! Thanks to Kevin, I was spared the trip, at least this time! Since the moms were on the beach with the kids, there were no pictures of the expedition, but I promise pictures the next time! After dinner we went to the boardwalk again but this time met up with the Kelton's and Hunt's. It was crazy crowded this time and tons of kids wanting to go in all different directions! Not to mention my 2 crazy friends, Shelly and Jul, ventured onto the Double Shot! I assured them that they didn't want me to go with them or they'd be sure to be wearing my dinner! It was a fun ride - to watch with both feet plastered to the ground! Shelly and Jul said that it was fun too! I'll just take their word for it! By the end of the night, Eric joined in with the crazy ones and went on some ride that just looking at it made me sick. I didn't get any pictures though! Perhaps Eric will try it again - definately not with me - so he'll be looking for volunteers! Again, total exhaustion and everyone slept well!
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Monday morning we all set out on our bikes for a ride on the boardwalk. We rode from our house to just about the end of the boardwalk and back - about 60 blocks round trip! I love riding on the boardwalk - but I don't love the crowds of people on the boardwalk while riding! Once home, we lathered up and packed up and hit the beach! The wind was coming from a different direction and so it was a bit more chilly on the beach but still a beautiful day! It was a nice quiet day with just the family. A funny note about Abby.... last year on the beach she was all over the place totally loving her freedom so we weren't quite sure what to expect from her this year now that she can walk. She hates the sand on her feet! Every time she gets even the tiniest grain of sand on her foot, she says "ouch - hurt". So she spends the time on the beach sitting in a chair with her feet up in the air! We thought that the 2nd day would be better or she would forget, not so much the case!>We had a wonderful weekend filled with friends, family and lots of fun things! A great way to kick off the summer!