I am almost embarrassed to admit that we are taking yet another vacation, starting tomorrow! I mean, four luxury beach vacations in as many months… who does that? Clearly only the rich and famous like us. Ha.

Anyway, we are very fortunate to have a brother and sister heading off to the OBX with enough room to spare in their mansion for us to tag along too. I am looking forward to it on so many levels. I think this will be our most laid-back vacation yet, with intentions of taking it slow and enjoying the whole journey, in addition to beaching it as often as possible. Since we’ve already been there once this year, we won’t feel the need to do everything. Instead, we can just relax. Plus, we will be there with family who happens to also be good friends and their kids like playing with ours. Bonus!

To make the 14 hour (each way) car ride as enjoyable as possible, I’ve been squirreling away (never-before-seen) trinkets in plastic shoe boxes for the kids. My plan is to pull out a new toy or snack every single time I hear a peep. I believe I have enough distractions for this crammed into my two little boxes, but only time will tell. I asked my sister-in-law to do the same and we can swap boxes for the car ride home for ALL NEW distractions. I’ve also found that a box full of Bristle Blocks goes a long way and plan to pack those too.

But my real secret weapon? My family pass to the Ann Arbor Hand’s On Museum that gives us FREE access to countless children’s museums along the way. Like I said, enjoying the journey! Children’s Museums were a big hit for our trip in May – with plenty of room to stretch the legs and imaginations all at once. And I am truly excited to share these new and fascinating places with my kids along the way, free of charge!

We’ve got a fun bed and breakfast to stop at on the way there and back, with a rich history (and goats!) behind it. Maybe I’ll find time to tell you more, but if not you can always check it out yourself. We stayed there last time and the Banana Foster French Toast was to-die-for. Now, if only we can convince Bastien to sleep there, it will be pretty much perfect in every way.

I shall call it “Oh, Crap” and file it under “Destruction.”
Though, I’m tempted to call it “Money We Shall Be Deducting From A Certain Child’s College Fund.”
But you can just refer to it as “THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BASTIEN RIPPED RIGHT OFF JIM’S CAR.”

Check us out. Front page, baby! Can you spot us? It’s a little Where’s Waldo, I know.
But now you can say you know famous people.
That is all.

Dear Bastien, or “Big Boy” as it seems you prefer to be called these days. Today you are three! So long twos, this is the day we’ve been waiting for!

You’ve come such a long way in the past twelve months. Learning to speak in sentences surfacing as perhaps your largest accomplishment. Aunt Courtney relayed the following quote from you to me, and I think it’s my favorite too: “Got to put it in the case so Haddie don’t get my (har)’monica”. It’s true, much of your year has been spent playing your harmonica, and keeping your toys away from Hadley. We get a good laugh every time you tell her to “Listen” and “Cooperate.”

Other accomplishments this year include going to school all by yourself and never once crying about it (even though class started promptly at nap time). I cannot tell you how surprised and proud your self-discipline made me.

Plus, there was the whole potty training thing. Which seriously made us look like stellar parents. But it was all you – and I give you much credit for this. You are one determined young man. And you’re also a predictable sucker for a good candy reward.

This is the face I will always remember, even though I’m sure you’ll stop making it right around the time you trade dimples for pimples. Oh my gosh, I could watch you concentrate on the task at hand all day long with that little tongue between your lips just so, and never get tired of it.

At your birthday party, you exclaimed “ooh” upon opening each present. And, very seriously thanked everyone for their gifts. Again, I was impressed with your maturity. You also asked for a pink cake with star sprinkles.

What I want to tell you is that even though we’ve had a few rough patches during the twos, Grammy assures me you’ll never remember me as a mean mom. And while I do fess up to being short on patience several times this year, I’ve always secretly admired your energy and endurance. Plus, now that you’re starting to apply those more appropriately, you are becoming quite an enjoyable companion.

Your babysitter Jo tells me you recently confessed I am your best friend. In fact, you sang it out loud. I could not be more flattered and gosh, I hope you feel that way for a long time. Because Bub, you are so SO dear to me. And I will keep on trying to make every day of your childhood a special one, just to see you smile. Happy birthday my love,
Mommy