A Cape Cod Summer Vacation

Even though COVID changed typical summer plans for many, we were able to head out on a mini-vacation to Cape Cod.  This was not something on our summer list of things to do.  With limited tourists coming from out of state due to COVID and the Massachusetts travel ban, we were able to snag a once in a lifetime deal that shined a bit of light on our summer.

All three enjoyed their body boards.  True to herself, Victoria did not want to go out deeper.  Instead she chose to play in the sand while Izzy and Micah ventured out trying their best to avoid any seaweed.

Keeping an eye out while in the ocean let us see a variety of life.  Seagulls were definitely not afraid of any of us.  Tiny fish swam everywhere.  We stumbled upon this horseshoe crab.  This one was alive which was nice to see since we had found a few on the beach that had a fatal demise of some sort.

Water shoes came in handy with the seaweed.  However the sand was lovely and the water was warm.

While driving around we found several shops that sold a variety of inflatable items.  This one Victoria really, really, really wanted.... so much so we asked how much... a whopping $300!  She better start saving for that unicorn.

Though the beach was fun, it was the pool that the kids enjoyed the most.  The resort had three pools to choose from; two outdoor and one indoor.  We typically hung out at night until the outdoor pool closed only to then transition, with everyone else, to the indoor pool which was open one hour later.

Once kids realize they have an underwater camera, it's only inevitable that they try taking all sorts of pictures.  Here are a few of the better ones.

On my to-do list was eating some amazing seafood.  On our first night we headed to The Skipper Chowder House but were greeted with a 3 hour wait.  One of the hostesses was great and gave me the skinny on how to get in on another night.  So we headed back the following day and enjoyed a variety of seafood including clam chowder, scallops, and local oysters.  Our waiter was taken back by Izzy's palate and started at her while she slurped down all four in a matter of minutes.

Local oysters from Dennis, Yarmouth, Duxbury, and Wellfleet.

Given a chance of rain in the forecast, we looked at an activity that was indoors.  This took us to the Wyndham Pirate Museum.  Commanded by the pirate Sam Bellamy, the Whydah was wrecked off Wellfleet in 1717, taking with her the treasure of fifty plundered ships.  According to folklore, Bellamy was returning to his love in New England when his ship met disasters in one of the worst nor'easter.  Only two men of the 146 made it alive which were subsequently caught by authorities.  The Whydah was found in 1984 with a then $400 million dollar treasure.

In the evening we took on another pirate adventure... Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf.  We had won a free game from a sister miniature golf course in Acadia.  The kids were tickled to be able to use this token.  We all voted that this was one of the better miniature golf courses we've played.

Micah & Victoria Turn 8!

Every year I say the same thing... where has the time gone!  I cannot believe my babies turned 8 years old!

We celebrated as a family with Micah's birthday cake.  He requested red velvet with cream cheese frosting... one of my favorites.  Izzy helped with the sprinkles to create this reverse eight.

I giggle at this picture since both Micah and Victoria look like they are eyeing each other to see who blows out their candles first.

After dinner and cake came opening presents.

On Victoria's list was Barbies, Barbies, Barbies.  Family did not disappoint as she received several.  The one she really wanted was a Barbie with movable joints.  The look on her face told me that she got exactly what she asked for!

Micah has been writing a list of what he wanted for weeks.  He would creep up to the list posted on the refrigerator after seeing a commercial to add yet one more item.  He was quite thrilled to have gotten many of the Mario Kart Hot Wheels he's been talking about incessantly.  But he was quite surprised to open the Texans Lil' Teammates.  That was on mommy's internal list for him that he forgot to add to his own list.

 Victoria has been asking for a purple remote control car for a while.  That is not as easy as it seems to be to find.  This one spoke to me and looked just like Victoria.  Sure enough, it was.

Having a birthday in August means thoughts of the impending first day of school.  Oma and Opa gave the twins backpacks that they pointed out liking in a magazine when back on the farm this summer.  They were both relieved to find out that the backpacks were bigger than their old ones which were "too small" according to both of them.

Things I Want to Remember About Victoria

1.  Unicorns are your universe!  If it has a unicorn on it, you want it... no need it.  Unicorns are on your sheets, shirts, pants, socks, underwear, pencils, earasers, folders... you get the picture.

2.  Your bed is engulfed in stuffies.  They sort of grew to now sharing half your bed with them.  However you cannot fall asleep easily without being surrounded by them.  You created your own bedtime song that incorporates your favorite stuffies.  

3.  No matter what comes and goes with your favorites, blankie remains a staple.  Blankie took a trip earlier this year (unknown to you, blankie is being upcycled into a keepsake Teddy Bear) and sent you a postcard about her trip.  You are still guessing on where she is at currently.  Since we have two blankies, you are content with the other one (Micah's blanket) but know it's not "the one" and are eagerly awaiting blankie's return.

4.  Remote learning taught me a lot about how your mind works.  I was taken back when you overtook your brother in understanding math concepts including negative numbers.  You have become more comfortable in reading independently.  Your strength lies in your creative writing which is filled with humor and character depth.

5.  Socializing is your primary focus.  COVID hurt this part tremendously.  With Margaret also being at home more, you two have become close playmates especially since you both love Barbies.  The courtyard often is littered with toys that have been brought out for your entertainment.

Things I Want to Remember About Micah

1.  You are one to want everyone to follow the rules.  Sometimes you modify those rules to fit what you want though.  You get easily frustrated when your sisters aren't doing what is suppose to be done with you finding your voice to say so.  During remote learning, you knew the daily schedule and never had to be asked to read.  You simply set the microwave timer and went off to read on your own.

2.  You have developed close friendships with two other boys; one in your class and our neighbor.  You ask incessantly if you can go outside to play with Fox.  With COVID, you two spend hours in the courtyard.  Whenever our door buzzes, 9 times out of 10 it is Fox asking if you can come out and play.

3.  You continue to be a collector of objects.  Once you find a toy or object that you enjoy, they accompany you near everywhere you go.  You sneak baggies to keep your collections in for safekeeping.  Fox is very similar with you two comparing collections often.

4.  You remain my sensitive child.  A simple hug sometimes isn't enough to get you through a tough spot.  You're not one to talk about how you feel.  But once you do, it is easier to work through what's bothering you.  Sometimes all you need it a bit of alone time in your room.

5.  The Nintendo Switch has become a favorite past time.  I can totally see you as a gamer as you get older.  A timer is a must otherwise I've caught you playing up to two hours without knowing it.  I used to be able to beat you in Mario Kart.  Now, not anymore.

COVID Courtyard Birthday Party

COVID has created a tight knit bond with the kids in the courtyard over the past several months.  This has been one of the reasons why the kids have not struggled as much with social distancing from their other friend groups.  Micah and Victoria celebrated their 8th birthday in the courtyard with a take-home pottery painting party.

There were two casualties when a mermaid and fairy were knocked off.  Parents to the rescue with Krazy Glue and hope that they would survive the kennel.  

Victoria volunteered her cake to be the one at the courtyard birthday party.  She wanted a marble cake with three colors that she picked out ahead of time.  The heat made my rosettes droop a bit.  But it tasted just the same and she LOVED it.

The potter pieces were dropped off to be glazed and fired for pick up later.  Ta dah.... the kids finished pieces.  Izzy created a floral fairy.  Victoria chose a unicorn, not surprising.  Micah, with his love of Sonic the Hedgehog, singled out this hedgehog.

 

White Mountains, NH

To get a break from the heat recently, we headed north to the White Mountains.  I had watched an episode of Chronicle (newsmagazine TV program talking about all things New England) who's topic was on local swimming holes.  Some of the episodes I'm not particularly interested in but others peak my interest such as this one.  The problem is that many of the swimming holes discussed there is no "map" to find them.  I wasn't about to take the kids trekking all over to find one that was off the beaten path.  So we opted for one on a map though did have to drive around a bit until we found other hikers who pointed us in the correct direction.

The cool water was exceptionally refreshing.  We did not expect some slippery rock with all of use taking a tumble at least once.  Lucky for us we enjoyed floating down the river as much as we could.

The waterfall was Izzy and my favorite feature.  Two people could sit behind it comfortably.  We couldn't coax Micah and Victoria enough to wiggle their way behind the falls though.

Inside the falls!

Definitely a popular place to cool off!

Scattered throughout was a variety of natural slides.  Izzy was always up for the challenge of trying any of these out first.

The following day we drove through the White Mountain National Forest on our way to Franconia Notch State Park.  We all agreed that we would return to the White Mountains to explore the forest.  But we had timed tickets that we couldn't be late for thanks to COVID.

Seeing a New England covered bridge was a new experience for the kids.  Entertaining though was their recollection of a similar bridge in Beetlejuice.  Amazing what connections their minds make.

The hike was cool with a breeze off of the river.  In addition to the river and rocks, we enjoyed looking at all the vegetation growing in all sorts of angles.  The kids asked non-stop if they could wade in the river similar to what we did the day prior.

Avalanche Falls

Three-fourths of the hike landed us at The Pool.  It was hard to believe this crystal clear water is 40 feet deep.  Many bets were made about which one of use was going to try jumping in first.