Just enjoying the beach!

Finding a Hidden Beach

Dave and Leah went out scouting yesterday and happen to find a trail to Grandfather Beach. They were lucky enough to run into a local who showed them the way! They came back with two starfish to prove it. We spent the evening researching all about starfish. It was great fun!

Sunset Dancing

We had a fun night out on Sunday for dinner and Island music. Leah and Kate also made a new friend.

Celebrating 1 Year of Reading!!!!!

This time last year I brought the first Bob Books to the Island to start teaching Leah how to read. She knew all her letters and the sounds they made and was a VERY eager student. So we figured out how to dedicate about 30 min a day to "playing school". She caught on quick! We started out with a mixture of Bob books and Challenger books but ended up dumping the Challenger books early on as they seemed a bit boring. In January she started at a different preschool with her favorite teacher Miss Sharon and reading really took off! She was so motivated at the idea of "passing off" books for her teacher and would NEVER let me skip a day of reading! Since January she has filled up 4 reading charts (140 books total passed off)! And still won't let me skip a day of "playing school". In the last month or so she has started reading beginner chapter books and LOVES them. Her favorites right now include Mr. Putter and Tabby, Mercy Watson, Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and the Little Bear books. The great thing is these are all level "J"and "K" which she is very comfortable reading and there are so many of them!! So far we only have a few of each that I picked up at DI and can't wait to collect more.
Here is a little clip of her reading Mr. Putter and Tabby Walk the Dog. It will be so fun to see what the next year brings!

http://www.youtube.com/v/mRPohnnBPmI?version=3&list=UU1XQrM8fk1izTRQpMNuUvMA&autohide=1&feature=share&showinfo=1&autoplay=1&attribution_tag=Rfe83xcrIg3uEkK_P8BOrQ

The Daily Dose

Leah's
 after dinner run on the beach.

Look close, she is sleeping with a Lizard on her hand. Kate is about to scare it off.

Another hot one.

The kids love the beach.....in the evening. I think it is so bright that both kids prefer to go to the beach as the sun is setting. So we often take a little picnic down for dinner and enjoy the beach when it's cooler and not so bright. In the meantime, we hose em down every little bit to keep em cool! They love it of course! 

In her hair!!!!! She told me he was trying to braid her hair.

Halloween

I know it does not look much like a Halloween photo shoot but here you go!

Our attempt to attend a "Halloween Party" at the library ended up with reading a bunch of good books and the kids having a ball climbing around on the banyan tree. 

Dave too!

With zero people around we are able to dip our feet in any pool we want.

And try out boats

Ended our day with a visit to the Haunted House.