With the start of a new school year just one week away, I realize I am not ready for summer to end yet. I don't feel ready for my first born son to be a 1st grader. Kindergarten I finally had to accept, but 1st grade?  If I bury my head in the summer sand maybe I can stop the progression of time?

Top on my summer memory list was our trip to Cape Cod where we rented a house near Brewster through Vacation Rentals By Owner .  We stayed in an adorable shingled house complete with outdoor shower, and bbq.  The kids loved the bunk beds, and the backyard, especially the lobster trap and sandbox. I appreciated the newly remodeled kitchen.  Also worthy of mention- Michael made the bed!

  

 

We had two different sets of old friends come after one another to visit from Connecticut. We were within walking distance to Sheep's Pond, where we skipped rocks and got silly with dear dear friends Larry and Susie Stoogenke.  It was one of my favorite vacation memories.

   

 

 

The day Larry and Susie left, we took a nap and then the Hoffert Family came to share a few days of beachcombing, firetrucks, and chicken fingers. 

One night we had a walk on the beach in Chatham. I love watching kids run on the beach! They are so free!

 

On another night: chicken fingers (again) and mini golf.

We also had a great day at Skaket Beach where sand castle building got serious.

The boys took a trip to Chatham and had a personal tour of the firehouse.

  

It was great that the kids all got along and that us grownups had a chance to talk about something other than mini golf and Nintendo.

Seeing friends from years ago, is so comforting. Within moments of seeing one other again,we are laughing.  Althoughwe are older and so much time has passed, the friendship remains. In a life filled with constant change, at least I can find peace in that.

 

Other highlights of our trip

1. The day I climbed Highland Light with Alex (sadly Sam didn't meet the height requirement).

Whale Watching on The Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown.  We were lucky to see at least 20 humpback whales -- most memorable was the sight off the back of the boat-- two whales jumping out of the water at the same time. I decide I wanted to become a professional whale watcher- it was so thrilling.

We also climbed the Pilgrim National Monument in Provincetown- (did you know the Pilgrims first landed in P-Town, not Plymouth Rock?)

After all this excitement we had a delicious dinner at Clem and Ursies (love vacation time when you pack 3 days worth of stuff into one day! ) We were wiped out after all that.

If you make it to Clem and Ursies, don't  miss the homemade donuts for dessert! 

 

2. Dinner at Moby Dick in Wellfleet and walking on Nauset Light Beach (sadly the memory card was full in the camera that day).

 

3. Spending some one-on-one time at Sea Street Beach in Hyannis with young Sam who is quite silly.

     

 

4. Our visit to the Massachusetts Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. What a day! We took the self-guided nature walk that led from the center's green building to the beach. We admired miles of salt marshes, and finally got out to the beach but most interesting and fun were the fiddler crabs.  See them here.

 

5. After visiting the Wildlife Sanctuary,  we did a little shopping in the cute little town of Wellfleet. I got new napkins and placemats from a really cute store called Pickle and Puppy. I love the fabric. I don't want the kids to eat on them! Those little piglets will probably spill on them and ruin them!

 

 

6.  At the end of our two week adventure, we spent a day and night in Boston before our flight home. We went to The New England Aquarium . A highlight was seeing the amazing penguins. (Alex's favorite animal).

 

 

7.  After a full day we headed back to the hotel where the boys had a blast horsing around with daddy at the Airport Hilton in Boston. As you can see (or not), the view of downtown Boston was erased by fog. It was a gray night. The bed had the most comfortable bolster type pillow (long, like a sausage) great for leaning against while enjoying a cozy night.  I am now on the lookout for one of those pillows. Based on the prices ($20 hamburger) I hesitated to order room service but this night we splurged. The best choice for the kids was a pizza, and best of all, there were leftovers to take on the plane.

 

 

8.  Sleeping Sam

 

Need I say more?

 

Hmmmm.... I still don't think I am ready for Alex to start first grade. Stay tuned for more distractions.