Summer is HERE!!

We could not wait anymore. The Ambrose kids head to the beach. We were not able to go last year since Madeline was so small, but we were ready this year to play in the sand & waves. When we arrived, the weather was not ideal but that just meant we had the beach pretty much to our selves.  As mom hauled the food, bags, umbrella, and chair to the beach.  Dominic was helpful in picking up a few items as well.  

Once our feet hit the sand. Our smiles were from ear to ear and we were excited.  Even though it was cloudy and a little windy. It did not matter.  It was Madeline's first time and Dominic was ready to show his sister all the cool things the beach had to offer. The sand to build sand castles with a moat, the sea shells, rocks where you can find snails and other hidden sea creatures and last but not least the OCEAN.  

We set up our spot that was close enough to the water but the sand was still pretty wet from the rain the night before. So it was not quite ideal therefore there was a lot of walking the beach but that was okay. The kids loved the space and I forgot to add. Chasing the seagulls was the other game we loved to play.  The day had to end a little early because it started to down pour.  We raced to the car loaded it up with the toys then went to shower.  Not realizing the showers were open and we just continued to get rained on.  That normally would not be a big deal but because it was a little chilly we had some sad kiddos.  The kids were showering with their little lips shivering because they were cold.  Of course, once we were all cleaned up.  The sun came out and warmed us up.  It was almost 2 pm so we did end up putting a full day in and were ready to get our ritual ice cream treat than hit the road home.  Overall it was a successful beach trip with both kids and Madeline had a blast.  

This year we ended up heading to Merrimack to celebrate the 4th of July.  We went last year and it was a lot of fun.  We ended up attending the fair and the parade. The kids were really good and enjoyed watching all the trucks, army, and other volunteers march together.  Both kids loved to sit and watch everyone walk by saying and waving 'hi'. It was an extra treat because many people were handing out candy. As we walked around the fair.  We jumped in the bouncy houses, climbed various climbing walls and got crafty. Dominic painted a bird house as his sister watched.

 
The past few years mom has been running on the Nashua River Rail Trail. It is a really nice paved trail with many other runners, bikers, and walkers.  I have been waiting for Dominic to get a big boy bike and ride as I walk with Madeline. 

So one beautiful Monday morning. The kids and I packed up the car and hit up the trail. Dominic did a great job riding his bike and following the bike rules.  Madeline enjoyed the view and playing with my hair and asking for me to pick flowers up.

 We biked/walked 3 miles 

We love when it rains.  Break out the rain gear!

HAPPY 7-11 FREE Slurpee Day!

Big brother taught Madeline to 'drink' her yogurt 

We had a scare and our loving Mr. Abrahm got out of the house and was missing for 3 days.  After mom went door to door we knew he was hanging with his cat friends across the street.  After putting out milk and checking every few hours throughout the night. Abe came home and daddy brought him in.  The next morning after days of Madeline asking where Abraham was.  They were re united and it felt so good.

At Nanas and Bampas getting our swim on and Dominics 1st time to jump off the diving board.  He has been taking private swim lessons and making strides.  His goal is to feel confident enough to swim without swimmers by the end of the summer. 

Dominic sleepover in our room.  I do now know a 4-year-old who wants to watch science shows for long periods of time.

Our new park, Twin Bridges in Merrimack.  

Dominic and Madeline played with each other for the 1st hour and had a blast exploring.  

Then Dominic made some friends and for the next 2 hour,s  they Playe-together.  I am so happy he loves to meet new people and plays to nicely.  So therefore Madeline was happy just to explore on here own and try to chase the boys as they ran around too.

 This little girl LOVES babies

Just like that your eighteen months

On July 20th, Madeline turned 18 months.  I cannot believe how fast time flies. Not only that but Dominic is four and a half.  My little babies are growing up.  At Madeline's check up, she was so grown up.  She wanted to help mommy with the paper work and hand it to the nurse.  Once we were in the room waiting for Dr. Dobins.  Madeline wanted to read with her brother and not sit on the infant table. 

Eighteen months is 24lbs 6 oz (75th percentile) and 31 1/4 long  (25th percentile)

Madeline loves her brother as many siblings do but she does not put up with him not sharing.  I have noticed that when Madeline wants her toy back, she learns from her brother and grabs it back.  We are working on this with her and using our words.  She does like to share when she offers the toy so that is a good thing.  Dominic has been into Lego's and sharing we were afraid would be an issue and we were nervous that she would try to eat all the small pieces.  She has been a lot better than we thought for she ended up just play with them and tries to put them together.  We thought that Madeline did need some girl toys in which she has shown interest in at school. So a few weeks ago, I asked dad to get Madeline a stroller for her baby dolls. Not only does she love to play with it and her dolls.  She will let her brother push her around in the stroller holding her dolls.  She loves to feed her dolls, sing to them, pat them and feed them.  All these things are just so cute to watch, showing this loving affection for them melts my heart.  I am working on making some dresses for her to put on the dolls.  I figure that she loves a challenge.  

After Madeline's check up we drove to Walis Sands Beach in Rye, NH.  This was our 2nd time this year we've been.  This time we were lucky because it was a lot warmer and we met up with our cousins, Kayleigh, Brendan, and Aunt Lauren.  It was so much fun to have our cousins there to play and enjoy the beautiful day. Our 1st visit this year you would find Dominic in the water the whole time with his friends he just made.  He loves the water and really enjoyed the waves and wanted a boggy board really bad like his friend had.  I told Dominic once he could swim with out swimmers, he could have one.  While Dominic and Brendan could be found in the water.  

Madeline enjoyed playing in the sand.  She would take the sand and place it in and out of the various buckets she had collected around her.  She also was very lucky to have her older cousin Kayleigh hanging out and taking her in and out of the waves.  

Since it was so hot that day you would find us all just run into the ocean jumping waves and cooling off.  It was not till later in the afternoon that the jelly fish started to approach the seashore and we ended up just walking the beach and looking for shells.  We also worked together to make sand castles and a moat.  This was a little difficult for Madeline enjoyed demolishing anything we attempted to make but it was okay.  We just enjoyed playing together.

 We had such a great day and LOVE the beach.  I am so grateful we live only an hour away and can make trips like this a few time each summer.  You know mom will fit in a few more before the summer comes to an end.