Aunt Becca to Many More

This year at Preston High School, we are beginning a wonderful new program called LINKS. This is a small group that meets twice a week for 1/2 hour sessions. The group of 15 students will have the same teacher advisor until they graduate and can have a personal relationship beyond passing in the halls with the teacher and with the other students in the group. When we meet, we discuss issues and participate in self-discovery conversations, set goals, and work out problems. This way, those students who may otherwise get 'lost' in the crowd, will have a group of 15 students and a teacher they can call their own. Of course, this is right up my ally. The couselor in me is loving it! They took the list of 450 freshman (which is my grade level), cut the names into strips, and shuffled them into a giant pile. They then picked the names one by one and assigned them to the teachers until each teacher had 15 students. You'll never guess who is in my group... my nephew Jairus!!!!! If that isn't a confirmation from God that I am where I am supposed to be, I don't what is. I had applied for several positions in elementary schools last year and every one of them fell through by a margin. Of course I prayed that God would put me where he wanted me...and now look. God is good and his plan is perfect. After our first session yesterday, I feel confident that my group is going to be everything I hoped it would be and I am blessed to have an opportunity to know and mentor my nephew - how special. At the end of the session, all this kids asked me if they could call me 'Aunt Becca' and I said that because they were going to be mine for 4 years, absolutely - but only them, not their friends. As they left my room, many said "Bye Aunt Becca!" and I was left with a big hug from Jarius. Praise God.

Day 2: Town, The Beach, and Ice Cream

We woke up this morning, had our breakfast buffet (Isaac had french toast, strawberries and bananas), and headed into town to go into the shops that we scoped out yesterday. First, I got a mocha at a coffee house - very yummy. Then, we went to the park by the bay to sit and explore while I juiced myself up with caffiene. We headed back to town where I bought a new bathing suit - ok, but breakfast is FREE. We went back to the hotel and we both took a nice nap until about 1:00. We ate yesterday's leftovers and headed to the beach! It was so full!! We had to park a good distance away and I refused to make more than one trip - I know...stubborn. I had Isaac in the front carrier, our cooler lunchbox, my everything bag, a beach umbrella, Isaac's Pack 'n Play, and a large blanket. I looked like a pack mule, but I did it in one trip!! We found our spot and I must say that I was pretty efficient setting up and the end result was very nice - and worth it! Isaac was much braver today. He tested out the sand, but decided it wasn't so bad and took off crawling everywhere! He was so cute. He wanted to play with these kids near us who were building a sand castle. They looked concerned until I told them that I would not let him get too close. We had a picnic lunch, which Isaac had climbed on, so the bread was a little flat, but good. Then we just enjoyed each other - so special.









We stayed for about 3 hours, which is a good amount of time for a 10 month old. I packed everything back to the car - in one trip - and we went back to the hotel. I found the entire beach in Isaac's diaper and ears. We hosed off and felt much better.


I knew if we stayed in, he would sleep then (6:00) and not that night, so we went for a walk to get ice cream...homemade strawberry ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream. Isaac did fall asleep in his stroller on the way, but I woke him up for ice cream, which I knew he would've wanted me to do.


He stayed awake the way home, we said goodnight to the ponies at our hotel, and went in for the night.

He was still very awake, so he climbed on everything in the room. It was all over when I gave him a bottle...and now he's out. I will be too soon enough. We go home tomorrow. Bitter-sweet, but we're ready to see daddy.

Day 1 in the evening: Assateague Island and Pony Show

So, after our afternoon nap, we ate chicken sandwiches I brought from home.


Then we decided to go to Assateague Island to see what was there. It was still overcast, but warm and wasn't looking like rain, so I bought a week long pass. The price was the same as if I bought 3 daily passes, so I figured I wasn't losing anything. As you drive though the Island, you see the wildlife refuge with all of the untouched land and wildlife including the Chincoteague ponies. It's beautiful. There are many trails, visitors centers, and a lighthouse. Of course, Isaac and I went straight to the Atlantic ocean!


We weren't wearing our bathing suits because I knew we wouldn't get in the water and it wasn't sunny enough to get a tan. I still lathered the boy up with sunscreen, though - much to his dismay. He was entranced. He didn't know what to watch - the water, the people, the children, the seagulls, or the lifeguard who drove a dunebuggy. He didn't even look at me. And of course, all the families and grandparents around us watched him. I didn't even have to ask someone to take a picture of us together - someone offered before I had even thought of it!

I took him to the water and he thought the waves were chasing him, which was fun until I let him stand on the sand - the waves look much bigger from down there. He really wasn't sure about the sand. He looked like he didn't like the fact that it stuck to his hands and feet.

He would crawl all over the blanket, but he'd only touch the sand. He LOVED the birds! He thought they were chasing him too - so cute. He climbed all over me. Tomorrow if I try to tan, I'm going to have baby shaped tan lines - I can see it now.

On our way back to the hotel, we saw some wild ponies. It's so cool to know that they are really wild and won't go to a barn somewhere tonight.

Isaac was OUT when we got to the hotel! He stayed asleep through being taken out of the carseat, carried up to the room, and put into his pack 'n play! He slept for about 1 1/2 hours.

When he woke up, we went to the restaurant we had gone to this morning. Isaac ate almost an entire hot dog, drank water with lemon, french fries, and ice cream with strawberries! He was hungry! After dinner, because he had taken a late nap, we went to the pony center and watched a pony show. He was so good through the hour presentation - though there was a lot to watch and he was not bored. We took pictures, but I left the memory card at the hotel, so I had to store the pictures on the camera. I don't have my cord with me to put them on the computer...sorry. He loved the ponies, though. Now he's in his crib squirmming around trying not to admit that he is so tired he doesn't know what to do. He's sleepy silly and very cute. He's such a good baby. Everywhere I go people compliment me on his behavior - I hope that remains forever. I'm so proud.

Day 1 in the Morning: Main Street

This morning Isaac woke up at his usual 6:30 am. We took a shower and headed for breakfast - an all you can eat buffet that is free with a voucher from the hotel. The buffet consisted of 22 different hot and cold breakfast foods! It was fabulous! The restaurant was quaint and filled with families all commenting on my little man. One woman stopped and said, "Oh my goodness! He's so precious - he looks like a model baby in a magazine!" To which Isaac flashed a beautiful smile. I'm so proud. Isaac had pancakes and apple juice while mamma enjoyed bacon, biscuits and gravy, and coffee. After breakfast, we decided to head downtown to main street. We parked the car at a town plaza (free parking) and Isaac rode in his stoller very happily. There were families riding bikes, walking, and jogging. Everyone we passed gave us a smile and nod or a "good morning." Town was so quite, traffic moved slowly, and seriously everyone just seemed happy to be alive.







Main Street was lined with art galleries, quaint shops, a movie theater, cafes, ice cream parlors, bakeries, a vietnamise restaurant, bed and breakfasts, and there were one or two tourist shops (where Isaac and I bought T-shirts).

There was a town center park with pavillions, picnic tables, a grassy yard, wifi, and brick sidewalks overlooking the bay. There was also a farmer's market today where local vendors sold artisan breads, organic produce, plants, and fresh seafood. All that organic made me think of Aunt Chrissy and Granny.








There was a cute fire department too, Aunt Lisa.







We didn't go into all the places we want, but the stroller was a little too cumbersome with all the breakables. Later, we'll return with the carrier. We had such a nice time. It's a little overcast today, so I'm not sure if we will go to Assateague Island today or not - there is a fee, so I'd like to make an entire day out of that trip. Who knows? After our nap it may brighten up.

We Are At The Beach!!!

Mommy and Isaac went to the beach today! Daddy decided that he would feel more relaxed on his vacation at home. He wasn't going to stay, but I convinced him that we would be fine and promised we would check in often. So, Isaac and I piled everything in the car and off we went! The trip should have taken 6 1/2 hours, but we had to stop for picnics and diaper changes. We arrived in Chincoteague and found our hotel - a lovely place with a pool and child's play yard. We decided to just stay in as it was getting dark. The room is very nice with a microwave, refridgerator, coffee pot, ironing board and iron, and hair dryer, free wireless internet, and full cable. There are no outside room entrances and we are in the middle of the second floor. I feel very safe and the room is very clean. As I checked in a schlepped the luggage in, I only saw one couple without children - this is very family-friendly. Isaac is climbing everywhere as he has some extra energy from the long ride (he slept practically the entire way). He's a good traveller, but a busy body now. He has some allergies, so I gave him a little Benadryl (which should help with the sleeping issue??) The town is so cute - little shops, art galleries, cafes, and a little movie theater. I'm sure there's more, but that's what I saw as I drive through to the hotel. Also, the hotel was having a special called "food and fuel" so upon my departure, I get a $25 gas card and every morning I get an all-you-can-eat buffet at a local restaurant. I'll let you know how it is tomorrow. Anyway, I just wanted everyone to know that...WE ARE AT THE BEACH!!!