Boats, beach, and birds=FUN

Since Daddy had to work this past weekend, Nico and I headed down to visit Gigi, do some major shopping and hit the coast! Although it was a short 2 day visit, we had a great time, especially on Saturday when we headed to Galveston. It had been over a year since Nico had experienced the beach, so we took advantage of the cooler weather to let Nico have a truly fantastic day.

After a great lunch at Gaido's, both mine and Gigi's island favorite, we took a ferry ride over to Bolivar's Peninsula. Nico seemed to be in awe that he was not only on a boat, but on such a big boat! Too bad I couldn't get Nico to focus on one spot on the water, because every now and then the dolphins could be seen jumping around. He, however loved yelling "hi" and bye" to all the boats we passed!


For those of you who have never experienced Bolivar's Peninsula, it is basically an empty piece of land. There is a scattering of beach houses, all of which I am sure have been rebuilt since Ike because the entire peninsula was flattened. The beach here is very empty with just a few people here and there, but this is the best place to really relax and enjoy your surroundings. We found a nice quite spot, spread out our stuff and let Nico run wild!


Nico took to the sand and water with ease! I thought he would not want to go near the water, but boy, did this brave little boy prove me wrong! Nico loved getting in the water and playing. "Jumping the waves" was a game in which Gigi and I would count to three and swing Nico over the waves. This was apparently so much fun that when Gigi and I did not continue the game, Nico imitated counting to three and would hop over the waves all by himself!



The sand, although it stuck to every little crease and crack, was great fun for Nico. With bucket and shovel in hand, Nico scooped up wet sand, dry sand, water and whatever else he could find.




When we left Gaido's earlier that day, we had in hand extra bread and crackers. This was so we could feed the seagulls and add to our beach experience! Nico is intrigued by all animals, but birds were his first passion, so we knew this would be exciting for the little man. Overall, the seagulls seemed a little more scared of us than usual, but Nico still had the chance to see them up close and chase them to his little heart was content.


The day was one of the most fun days we have had lately, especially since the weather was so great! I am glad Nico had the chance to enjoy the beach before it got much later in the year. Next time we will just have to drag Daddy to get all sandy and dirty with us!

One thing after another...

Lately, and I use that word loosely, it seems like there has been one stressful event after another occurring. Besides all of the "medical" issues I have been dealing with for the last...well, let's see...6 months, the hiring and firing of the live in nanny, going back to work full time, Nico starting back up at "school," both myself and Nico coming down with the ultimate bad cold, and then recently my grandfather passing away, we now have encountered a new problem.

This is a problem I would really rather do without...biting. Last week while I was out of town, Nico was bitten by another child in the classroom. Then on Friday, he decided to take matters into his own hands and bit back..the same child who had injured him the day before. What happened yesterday? Nico got bitten again, by the same child!!! This new phenomenon of behavior is not ok in my book and unfortunately the director and owner of the school are not handling the situation as well as they should. Although Nico is finally acclimated to his school, has no problem leaving me in the mornings, and demonstrates that he enjoys going, it seems like there is now a safety concern. So stay tuned because the search for a different and better school is on the horizon.

Besides getting bitten, and being sick recently, Nico has been great. Just as cute as cute can be and growing into such a fun little boy with a great sense of humor. Here is what everyone has been waiting for...recent pictures.

Life and Death

It has been longer than usual since last blogging, but life...and death certainly has gotten in the way. Nico lost his only living great-grandfather a little over a week ago. John Pennington, my maternal grandfather was a good man and he will be missed. Although death is difficult no matter what the situation is, God called Grandpa home at what seemed to be the right time. He was ill and I can say that he was honestly suffering towards the end of his life here on Earth. Fortunately, we were told that he did not appear to struggle or endure much pain as he passed away.

While Nico is very young and will not remember, I am glad he still had the chance to meet his great-grandpa. We at least have pictures of Nico and Grandpa to show him when he gets older.





The memorial service was this past weekend in Houston and Nico stayed home with Daddy while I went south to pay my respects. Unfortunately, the boys were unable to have much fun because the day I went out of town, Nico came down with my ultimate horrible cold. Even through the lack of sleep, runny noses, coughing and chest congestion, my boys survived, but were happy to see me come home.

I, personally had the privilege of honoring my grandfather during the memorial service by saying a few words. Although, we were all sad for ourselves in the fact that Grandpa had left us, we rejoiced in the fact that we know Grandpa is in a MUCH better place than we are here on Earth and that we will see him again someday in the Heavenly Kingdom. Even though the overall occasion was a sad one, it was very nice to see the family altogether. Since it is very seldom that we are in the same place at the same time, we of course, had to take advantage of the situation and snap a couple of pictures.