I'm a man, I'm 40!

I love when pro athletes or coaches lose it and explode on the media.  It usually makes for interesting television.  Seriously, youtube sports rants and you will find some good ones.  This is one of my all time favorites...

You may wonder why, I am posting this...Well, I'm a man, and Yes, I am forty!

Third Grade & Kindergarten...Wow!

Both girls are finally at my school.  It seems a little odd, to say the least, but it's good.  Most people would say, "It makes you feel old, right?"  To be honest I don't know if it is that at all. Obviously, I am getting older and so are they I might add, but I don't feel old.  What's old supposed to feel like anyway?  (On a side note, I think old is how I felt after spending the day at the VA pool with the girls, but that defeats the purpose of what I am trying to say right here, so just ignore my ramblings.)

It's just weird.  The third grade is out on the playground with the fourth grade, so I get to see Drea at recess.  It's strange.  The third graders are supposed to be little kids.  Actually, the fourth graders tend to think the third graders are little kids, but I have news for them, the third grade is more mature then the current group of fourth graders.  Just don't tell anyone I said that.

I am used to seeing Drea with the younger grades and well, that isn't the case any more.  My Mom will tell the girls, that I am her baby.  They usually just look at her with a strange look.  I understand that now.  I think that does not change no matter what age you or your kids are.  I guess that is what I am trying to say.  They are growing and that obviously, doesn't stop.  I am glad they are at my school and I am glad I get to see them.  And even if I am growing older, they are still my babies and always will be.

I digress.  We usually take pictures on the first day of school.  Since Drea started last Thursday, and Charlotte started today, there were two different photo shoots.  You would think after taking 57 pictures on two separate days, I would have more pictures that I liked, but here are the best seven.

Last Thursday, Drea's First Day

Drea posing by herself complete with backpack

I thought it was cute that Drea hid this time, like Char did last week

Smiling for the camera

I don't think they both looked at the camera
or stood still at the same time on either day

If you know Charlotte, this sums her up perfectly

They needed one showing their backpacks...silly girls

Ice Bucket Challenge

Camping with the Cousins

Last weekend the girls and I went camping with my older sister and her family.  My mom accompanied us on our trip as well.  We went to Elk Neck State Park in North East, MD.  There were bee stings, burnt hands, pinched fingers, and bug bites. And that was just Charlotte and the first two days.  Of course others had to get in on the act.  However, even in the mist of all the injuries the girls and I had a wonderful time.

Charlotte, Drea, and Lydia hanging out at the campsite

Swinging at the park

Just hanging around

Charlotte liked this until she slid down...it was hot

All four girls at the beach

Charlotte, Lydia, Drea, and Brynn

This was the most popular ride at the park, the zipline.

This was a small lighthouse that we walked too

Waiting to go in the lighthouse

Resting after walking to the lighthouse.  The brochure failed to mention it was a 2 mile hike

One last one of the lighthouse

A few things in closing.  I didn't really take a whole bunch of pictures.  This was basically it.  The camp ground was huge.  It was spread out over several different areas.  The campground was separate from the lighthouse and separate from the swimming area.  We swam in the Cheaspeake Bay which was cool.  When you first got into the water it was very rocky, but after that it was smooth sand.  We swam three different times.  Twice at low tide which was interesting.  I'm not exaggerating, we were probably a mile from the beach and it was still waist deep for me.  The girls would just go and go.  They were so far out, but it wasn't deep.  I wish I had taken pictures of that to show, it was pretty amazing to see.  One last thing I didn't mention in the beginning.  Chiggers.  Not fun.  Charlotte and I managed to get them.  I will spare you the details, but they itch.

FireFlies

Over the last couple nights the girls have been staying outside until it starts to get dark.  Both nights have produced lightening bugs or Fireflies, depending on where you are from.  Both nights I wanted the girls to come in, but I loved how excited they were to catch them.  Even more so tonight because Drea was running around trying to catch them too.  She is too crazy about bugs, so I thought why not embrace it.  I tried to take some pictures, but I haven't figured out all the settings yet, but I managed to take a few videos.

Both are these are cute to hear the excitement in their voices.  I also find the second one pretty funny because lately every time I take Charlotte's picture she says, Daddy put this on the blog, just like she does in the video.

California Trip: Part IV - Family

The main thing I wanted to do when we went to California is just spend time with my sister and her family.  We haven't seen each other in three years, so all I really wanted to do is hang out and enjoy one another's company.  I think we were able to accomplish that goal.

This had to be one of the most relaxing vacations ever.  Laura and Leo are such great hosts.  They really spoiled us.  Leo loves to cook, and he certainly did not disappoint.  I am pretty sure I gained a few pounds.  The kids got along wonderfully.  Only one time on Sunday, did the girls argue with one another.  That was our last day, so I am sure it was more being tired than anything else.

I could probably go on and on about how much we all enjoyed our visit, but I won't.  I'll wrap it up, by saying I hope it doesn't take three years to visit them again.  Enjoy the rest of our vacation pictures.

Inside the Polar Bear Ice Cave at Sea World

Charlotte trying to pick of Luke.  Both girls tried to do this all week...Luke wasn't a fan

Relaxing at the turtle beach at Sea World

Drea posing with the sea turtle

Char's turn

Finally some pictures of Baby Layla

Other than swimming, this was the most popular thing for the Drea...

...and Charlotte

The whole crew at the beach

Me and Laura

As soon as we arrived the clouds came out and it got cold, Drea had to bundled up.

Cheese! 

Charlotte at the Sheriff's Museum

Drea at the Sheriff's Museum

Locked in Jail

In the cockpit of the Helicopter

Luke and Me

Climbing in a tree at Old Town square

The girls wanted handcuffs at the Museum...I put them to good use

I thought Drea was stuck...

...unfortunately she had the key.

Charlotte is always trying to catch a bird...

...she finally caught one!

California Trip: Part III - Swimming

The one thing the girls did more than anything else was swim.  They swam everyday except for Wednesday.  That only happened because we went to Sea World.  I am sure they would have loved to swim with the dolphins.  I am also convinced they swam more than they ate.  On Thursday and Friday they swam all day.  The girls each took turns falling asleep before dinner was ready.  Drea on Thursday, Charlotte on Friday.  Needless to say, they enjoyed the pool.

Charlotte and Luke swimming in the Hot Tub or as Luke says, "the little pool"

Luke getting to swim by himself

The girls swimming in the little end

Charlotte swimming though the "rain forest"

Jumping In

Drea giving instructions

Drea still giving instructions