Sean's pet....well sort of.

We have a bunny that lives in our backyard. He has been there for a few months. Everytime we go outside to play in the sandbox/Sean's playset we always see him. It is the closest thing Sean will have to a pet! Sean always say, "me touch him?" Not sure the bunny would like that....

First Day of School!

Sean started at his new preschool this morning and it seems the morning was more traumatic for me than it was him. He was pretty clingy when we walked in but once he saw the toys and the other kids I was able to sneak away. I called around 11 and they said he was having a great day and hadn't cried at all. When I walked in at 3:15 he had just woken up from his nap and he looked at me and then burst into tears! The teacher said he hadn't cried at all and so we were wondering why he was crying then? Anyway, overall he said he had a good day and he liked school and would like to go back tomorrow. Here are a some pics from this morning and then some the teacher took and emailed me. Whew, I felt like I was sending him to college..

Bye, Daddy!

Sean's class.

Potty Training Boot Camp

We did away with Diapers starting Monday morning, first thing and haven't looked back. The first couple of days were rough with a lot of accidents, but Sean is getting the hang of the potty training now and he is making good progress. Dan did most of the hard work as I went back to work on Wednesday and he was home with Sean, so I can't really take credit! Today and yesterday Sean has started telling us when he has to go, making it to the bathroom, and going without having an accident. There are still some accidents but, not as many. Dan and I are proud of his progress! Sean is also proud. Whenever he goes in the potty, he'll get up and say, "Good job, Sean!". It is quite funny.

In other news, as I said, I went back to work and Dan will go back to work on Monday which puts an end to our summer of fun. We are missing the beach already! Sean will start at a new preschool (hence the potty training) and so we are excited for him but nervous at the same time. I will now be dropping him off as opposed to the past two years where Dan dropped him off. I hope he doesn't give me a hard time when I leave. I think I'll keep the tissues handy on Monday! (not for Sean!)

Also, on a sidenote, Sean has acquired the lovely skill of unlocking and locking the doors. So, Dan and I are often outside of a door saying, "unlock the door" while he laughs on the inside of the room. Oh geez.

Family Pictures on the beach.

As you have read, Dan, Sean, and I visited Topsail Island, NC for a week with our closest friends and their children. It was a great week for all of us. On our last night, we took some group pictures on the beach. Here are a few that we have so far. More to come. Oh, and once again we had to bribe Sean. Fruit snacks in the pocket=works everytime!

Gracyn, Sean, and Chase.

Sean and Gracyn.

Daddy and Sean.Mommy and Sean.

The five kids.

The Rettig Fam.

Underwater!

Sean has found a new love of going underwater. At first he would ask to go underwater when he jumped in, and then he would ask to go together with Dan or I, but then, he just started going underwater on his own in the shallow area near the steps. Now, he does it all the time. It is a little scary for Dan and I but he seems to be enjoying it!

Going under alone on the steps!

Where did Sean go?

Look Mommy!

Sean came walking toward me with something in his hand at the beach. I thought he found a sea shell. NOPE! It was a sandcrab! He didn't seem to care though and thought it was pretty cool!

Ice cream truck!

We flagged down the ice cream truck last night so we could enjoy some ice cream after dinner. YUM!

The surfer guy...

Sean braved the waves with Dan today to try out boggie boarding.

There might be a slight look of fright in his face!

Riding the waves all the way to the shore!

WHEEE!

Buried...

Sean loves to be buried in the sand!

Loving the Ocean!

We drove back to the beach on Saturday, August 14th to spend the week with our close friends and their kids (8 adults 5 kids total). We have spent quite a bit of time at the beach this summer and Sean has been afraid of the ocean each time. For some reason this week, he has lost all fear of the water. We are at North Topsail Beach, NC. When the tides change at there are great tidal pools and so the kids have had shallow water to play in. Once he got used to the water he was even ready to ride the waves! Now, he is brave and just runs right into the waves. He has been swimming so much that his legs are raw from his bathing suite rubbing it. I am glad he finally is enjoying the ocean. It helps that water here is like bathwater, even I have been swimming!

The Children's Museum in Short Pump

We visited the children's museum for the mornin and Sean had a great time. The highlight for him would be the train ride!

Painting a picture.

Climbing.

He rode the train all by himself!

Leaving the beach :o(

We were all a little sad to leave the beach on Sunday morning, as we always are. Sean, however, took it especially hard. I guess he really likes the beach because as soon as we pulled into our neighborhood he started screaming, "NO Back beach", "beach again!". He was really upset that we were home. I guess it is a good thing we are leaving for the beach again in a few days. What a summer we have had!! Lucky us!

The Ocean book.

Sean found an educational book about the ocean at the beach house and was slightly obsessed with reading it, over and over, and over again! As you can see he read it with several family members over the course of the week.

Reading with Aunt Dawn.

Reading with "Miss Lauren"

Reading with cousin Jonathan.

Reading with Aunt Al and Uncle Dave.

Getting braver....

Sean finally ventured down to the water and learned to "jump" the waves. He even rode the boogie board around for a while. The water was a little chilly, but he didn't seem to mind much.

Riding the boogie board.

Running away from the waves.

Getting in the water all by himself!

Having fun!

Whoa, water is a little Chilly!