Best vacation EVER. Period. We had the best weather PEI has ever seen... hot and sunny with a cool breeze and no humidity. And Adrian and Vivian were so much fun this year. Adrian was happy to run with the big kids or play on his own and Vivian was content doing just about whatever.
This year was the first year we actually got warm sunny weather, so much of our time was spent at the beach or at the pool. Adrian took to the water for the first time this year. He could touch in the shallow end of the pool and got very comfortable with the water. He tells us he wants to learn how to swim now. A big contrast from last summer! This was Vivian's first time in a pool and in typical Vivian style she took to it like she had been in a pool for months. I carried her around for a bit until she was not happy being carried as she wanted to try 'swimming' like all of the other kids. She wasn't even phased when she got a face full of water. She also jumped off the side as many times as I would catch her.
Eager to make it to the pool.
All geared up and ready to swim.
Splashing
Happy to be monkeying around with the boys.
Swimming like the big kids.
JUMP!!!
The beach was a real treat this year. We visited two different beaches. The 'white' beach (Brackley) was just up the road and was fun for the kids to play in the powdery sand. Both Vivian and Adrian loved to play with the shovels and buckets. The only problem with the 'white' beach was the water was freezing and the jellyfish were prolific. Once Adrian heard that jellyfish could sting he was pretty wary of them but Vivian just wanted to go around picking them up. (Eww!)
Building a castle together.
Adrian loves shells and used them to decorate his castle although he had to collect them back before we left.
Hanging with the big boys and 'hunting' jellyfish.
Laughing at a jelly fish. She picked it up shortly after this picture. I was too busy telling her to stop to take the picture!
Our group of kids minus one who wasn't feeling photogenic that day.
The 'red' beach (Argyle Shore) was really fun for the kids because when the tide was out there were lots of sea creatures to be found and they could walk forever in the water and never go past their waist. It is so beautiful there we had to make two trips. The water was warm and Adrian enjoyed 'surfing' on a boogie board. He was nice enough to give Vivian a few rides on the board too (she is a brave one!). We even had a picnic lunch on the first day although Adrian was having too much fun to stop and eat. Vivian, however, will always pause for lunch. (-:
Looking for treasures.
Headed out to see what Adrian is doing in the waves.
Adrian was happy to give Vivian a ride. He is a good big brother.
Frolicking on the beach.
Adrian found a really big clam and wanted to eat him.
One our one rainy day we visited a little 'aquarium' where they had a few creatures in a touch tank. Vivian and Adrian both liked the starfish and I was even brave enough to touch one too (mostly because Vivian wanted me to get one for her to hold). It was actually nice to have a rainy days to let the kids relax a bit.
Examining the starfish.
Vivian thought it was shocking when the starfish started to curl up as can be seen by her facial expression.
Of course we did the 'usual' PEI vacation things like sit around the campfire, go for boat rides, BBQ, play with friends, get ice cream and just generally relax and do whatever we felt like doing. It was a vacation from our daily routine for sure. My only complaint was that Adrian had a hard time napping, going to sleep at a reasonable hour and he never slept in past 7AM so he was a very tired boy at times. He fought sleep and for the most part he won (and is paying the price this week).
Boat rides at the cottages.
Smores by the campfire.... look at the delight on his face (or is that marshmallow?)
Watching cartoons in the early morning. I think this is the first time Vivian has actively watched cartoons.
On the boardwalk in Charlottetown.
Vivian's first picture with the surfing penguin (our PEI tradition)... 2'8" of lovely.
3' 9" of tired boy. He's quickly gaining on Nanny. (-;
Another successful PEI vacation and we are already looking forward to next year. It broke my heart on the way home when I would look back and see Adrian's lip quivering and when I would ask what was wrong he would break out in tears crying 'I want to stay in PEI forever'. I guess that is a good sign that it was a fun (but not restful) vacation!
