Hello friends! I hope you've been doing well. It has been awhile since I've shown up here in blogland, but not much has changed. We went to the beach, it was FABULOUS, and now we are home and DAYS away from my last chemo treatment (wooohoooo!!!!!).
I mean... I know it's a cliché, but I want to freeze every single precious phase. And how is it that you don't even know how precious they are when you're up to your ears in diapers and the dishes need done? Ugh. So just know that as you look at these pictures I was crying at how big my kids have gotten, and these pictures aren't even that old!
1. Kayaking
We LOVE kayaking! When in Charlotte, we take our kayak to the US National Whitewater Center, it's one of our favorite places ever. When we are visiting Devin's family in Wilmington, we like to go on the Intracoastal waterway. There's just something so peaceful and calming about getting out on the water and getting a good workout in. I love spending time outside with the kids (as you know!).
Which brings me to our next love....
2. Paddleboarding
We bought an inflatable paddle board at Costco years ago and it has been one of the best investments we've made. It fits into a little backpack and we pump it up right at the edge of the water. We paddle board in the same places we go kayaking.
The kids love to see the fish and turtles. We've seen deer come to the side of the river too. We just love it!
We also love...
3. Hiking
Lily Grace even used to go hiking in her princess dresses. Cue the mom tears. She's "too cool" for that now.
We have our same usual trails we like to hike, but we also like to mix it up once in awhile too. Our favorites are "The Enchanted Forest" (what LG nicknamed a local park back when she was little and the name has always stuck) and my favorite in the mountains is near Cone Manor.
4. Playing in the Creek
We love to splash around in the creek!
5. Games!
We are a big game family. We love board games, card games, charades, any kind of game. Right now a few of our favorites are Ariel's Charming Sea Adventure, Disney Spot It, Dog Dice, and Hungry Hungry Hippos. We also love Candyland and Princess Candyland.
So many fun activities to do outside. I have never tried kayaking or paddle boarding but my oldest keeps asking to go.
ReplyDeleteGive it a shot if you have somewhere nearby to go! It's a lot of fun!
Delete-Lauren
I wish my family liked these things! Well we don't really live near water or we might like paddleboarding! We went once and enjoyed it! Games, we used to play but now everyone just argues!
ReplyDeleteOh there are definitely tears over games sometimes haha, but it's all a learning experience!
Delete- Lauren
Awe! I love all of that sweet outdoor time. It is interesting how things change as your kids get older. I would have put bike rides and hikes on our list but we really don't do that as much as we used to (hence video games and music playlists being in my top 5). You're right, I knew what you were going to include on your list!
ReplyDeleteVideo games and music playlists are still a fun way to spend time together though!
Delete- Lauren
I love all the outside time! And I love all the time on the water. I love being on the water and never spend enough time doing that.
ReplyDeleteWe would be out there every day if we could!
Delete- Lauren
Y'all are definitely an outdoor family and so blessed to live in a beautiful area!
ReplyDeleteWe are blessed with how much there is to do here!
Delete- Lauren
Yay for just days away from the last treatment!! I have yet to try paddleboarding but I really want to.
ReplyDeleteOh you'd love it! If you like kayaking, you'll like paddle boarding too!
Delete- Lauren
SOOOO Happy for you!! Also, jealous of the scenery in NC! It's stunning!
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky!
Delete- Lauren
We love to watch movies and shows together. In the last couple of years we started playing 20 questions. It started when we were waiting for food once at a restaurant that was taking a while and we needed to distract hungry and cranky kids. It's fun and we have a few memories of hilarious things the kids have said. Our youngest was probably five when we started playing.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a fun game! We play things like that while waiting at a restaurant too. :)
Delete- Lauren
I hope you had the best time at the beach. I love all your answers --outside time is the best. I wish we lived closer to where we could kayak...we all really like doing that activity.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how lucky we were to be close to water until I read all these comments! I guess I just took it for granted!
Delete- Lauren
Good luck with your last Chemo treatment, I hope it goes well.
ReplyDeleteAww! What lovely photos!
It sounds like you are a really active family, the Kayaking sounds like a lot of fun.
Thank you!
Delete- Lauren
At what age did you feel comfortable having the kids ride in the kayak or paddle board?
ReplyDeleteWe started with Liam at 2 years old, BUT we ALWAYS have him wear a flotation device (we just got LG a new one too, even though she's a fantastic swimmer) and we only go at a spot in the river that is designated a "no wake zone" and there are no boats/jet skis allowed. It's for kayaking and paddle boarding only. The current is slower there too (probably why it was chosen as a designated kayak/paddle board area). An adult is always with them on the board or in the kayak too because they can't paddle by themselves.
Delete- Lauren
That's awesome that you do so much outside and that the kids have been brought up to enjoy being active outdoors. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete- Lauren
I think our families would get along really well! Anything adventurous and outdoorsy is our jam!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
www.suzannehines.org