Visiting Mimi and Fran

We left Saturday night to go to Virginia Beach to visit Mimi and Fran. Everyone is home, except Carrie who is staying with Mimi and Fran until Saturday! We got in really late Saturday night so we went straight to bed so the girls could get some rest before a day on the beach! It was Hayes first time at the beach so we weren't sure if she would like it or not. She does not like getting dirty so we were worried the sand would bother her, but it didn't at all! She got used to it in a hurry and got to work! We had a beautiful day so it was a fun day spent entirely at the beach!

We played with sand toys and built castles...

Carrie and Mimi hunted for seashells...

Hayes ate a lot of snacks (of course). She definitely spent half our time down there eating. Notice the foot propped up on the chair...she was in heaven.
And the girls loved the surf of course...
Carrie with the sandcastle her and dad built.
Playing in the waves...



Then we found little sandcrabs that when found, quickly dig back into the sand. Hayes LOVED this. Graham would dig a bunch up, put them in a bucket and then dump them out and let her watch.

Here she is putting one in to dig...she said "wow!" every time.

Hayes went on a walk on Fran's shoulders so then Carrie had to have a turn...

And then dad spun Hayes around...
So Carrie also had to have a turn :)
With Mimi and Fran
Carrie and Lalaloopsy on the thrones dad built them
More snack time and resting. Look how tired! Beach flat wore them out!

We got the girls in bed early that night. A little stressful at first, but we had them share a room for the first time! I was a little worried when they were up talking and laughing with each other for a while, but then they fell asleep and really loved sharing a room! We would hear them laughing on the monitor in the morning. So sweet. Makes me optimistic about putting them in the same room in a year!

The next day was pretty cloudy so we decided on a morning at the aquarium. Girls said goodbye to Fran!
And loved the aquarium. I think Hayes (being my animal lover) could have stayed all day!


They had a room with toys and the girls found these butterfly wings and loved them! (Wish I had better quality pic, but only had camera phone this trip). We stayed and played in there for a while!

Carrie showing Hayes the Dolphin's teeth

Roar! in the Shark's mouth!
Loving the sharks.
Sitting with a big snake.
They also loved the seals, the otters and the Sting Ray touch tank! It was really fun! Then we had lunch at a restaurant on the beach which was fun! After rest, it still was cloudy so we went to get ice cream and to pick up some fresh crabs to have for dinner. While down getting the crabs, we decided to stop and do some strawberry pickin! The girls LOVED it. And they did really well, even Hayes. She thought it was like an easter egg hunt!

Then Hayes switched from picking to eating...
Hayes mouth is full of strawberries and all red from the juice :)
When we got back, Mimi had a surprise for the girls. She had gotten them butterfly wings at the gift shop at the aquarium and they loved them. Had so much fun running around outside in them. I know we will have many fun times with those!


Night-night butterflies
At dinner, Fran was picking the crabs and trying to get C to try a claw. I figured it was a long shot so used the classic parent-of-the-year move and bribed her with a coloring book if she would try one. Well, she went for it and it was worth the bribe because she loved them! She went back over and over again to get more from Fran. Love when she tries something new and likes it!


Hayes and I left early this morning to come home and left C there. Truly, C wears me out on a daily basis, but boy do I love her and already miss her a ton! This house is too quiet! Even Hayes cried when she couldn't find her today! We know she is having a blast, though, so gotta share her and let her do these fun things! Luckily, they facetimed me today so I got to hear all about their outing on the touring Pirate Ship and their coloring book shopping :). Now just make it 3 more days! Hope I can keep busy! It was fun to have a day with Hayes and I know a few more days with just us 2 will be great. She deserves a little extra time with mommy. (Graham is out of town for work). More posts to come in the near future!

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