A few from the first week

I missed their first time on the beach this year. Dave took them down to cool off while we all unpacked. If you look close you can see their tiny little nakedness. I should have zoomed! The water was so nice and warm this day with no waves. They loved it!

Kate was so excited to find the fan!

Wearing Grandma Mason's beach gear.

New home for the tadpoles

We are enjoying a group of tadpoles again this year. They were so tiny a week ago and are growing so fast. The girls have been feeding them chewed up coconut and apple and they seem to love it! They enjoy "checking on the tadpoles" many times a day. We did need to move them from their original home that was a very small hole in the middle of the patio. They are now living the bottom of a milk jug a bit more out of the way.

Stripey

      Leah's interest in the lizards here this year is at a new high! She captures them and becomes their "mother". All of them are named "Stripey". Some days Stripey has grown "bigger" or is wearing or not wearing a "mask". And rarely if Stripey is not cooperating well (does not wish to be held for the entire afternoon) it may be decided that it is not in fact Stripey but maybe his more rambunctious  "brother" or "cousin". We have found that the smaller, younger lizards seem to be quite docile (or just scared shitless) and allow Leah to carry them around for many hours even on golf cart rides and outings.
     Now naturally this has all led Kate to believe she needs a "lizard" as well. The only trouble there is she does not want to touch them. So Kate finds imaginary lizards which she carries around and shows to everyone. The trick is acting as excited to see the imaginary lizard!

Notice Kate has her lizard too!

The original Stripey meeting the turtle

Stripey going for a ride.

Just hanging out together

Getting Here

I really don't know which is worse, actually getting here, or all my anxiety about the process of actually getting here. Whew. It is a process. Take away all the packing a preparation, that's it's own story, and fast forward to the actual trip. Dave and I, my mom, a 3 year old, a 1 year old, an 88 year old and a combine total baggage count of 15 items plus a stroller. If you are still with me picture taking all this to the airport, two plane rides(with short rushed layover in between), cab ride to hotel, unpack, repack, cab ride back to airport, plane ride, cab ride, boat taxi, cab ride and...........arrival. We all made it, even the luggage! A few pictures to prove it. And yes it IS worth it. But if you would have asked me that a week ago....uncertain.

Leah was such a great traveler! Kate too really! Could not have asked for better. Fingers crossed for the trip home. They will be a month older and much more mature right? What could go wrong?

This was a VERY hot plane ride. I am sure the heat rash started here.  Good thing the flight was only a bout an hour long.

The final stretch. The boat ride with weary travelers.

Before the trip

We had such a crazy busy few weeks leading up to our departure. Until you have packed and prepared to travel to an Island with two young children for 5 weeks bringing your own grocery store and pharmacy with you.....well it's just hard to imagine how many things there are to think about. Did I mention we also had company!? LOVED the company! I am not being sarcastic. We did love the visit with Nicole, Matthew, and Chloe. I wish it were better timing so they could have stayed a bit longer. Here are a few pictures I didn't have time to post before we left. We also managed to take all the kids to the zoo and the trampolines while they were here but I will need to add those photos in later.

I love the sister snuggle time!

There is a light at the end of the sleepless teething marathon that feels like it has lasted a year. TWO MORE TEETH TO GO!