Big Sandbox with Lettuce

On my 15th consecutive year, living within a few miles of the Ocean still feels strange. For the first half of my life in Pennsylvania, "going to the Shore" was typically a once a year vacation. When Joshua suggested an impromptu walk on the beach after dinner the other night, it still struck me as odd that this was possible without a significant drive.

Sophia was born a few miles from the Atlantic and has spent her entire life living about a mile from the shore. Last Summer she wanted little to do with the Ocean, but this year she heads straight towards it. She exclaims, "Big Sandbox!" when she sees the beach and refers to seaweed as "lettuce".

Seaweed that Sophia has decided is "lettuce"

Tiny pink shoes inside of mine

Rhubarb and Croquet

Sophia made up for our snowy April Easter visit to New Hampshire by spending lots of time outside during our May trip.

Aunt Becca cuts the leaves off of Rhubarb in Grammie's garden.

Sophia's job is to get the stalks in the bag.

Not so easy when the bag is taller than her.

Also, when the Rhubarb is as tall as you, it is helpful to wear a white hat so you don't get lost in the garden.

An Aunt Aimee is also very helpful to have nearby.

Aunt Aimee also taught Sophia how to use a Croquet Mallet.

Sophia alternated between roaming the court,

and sitting on the sidelines.

While it might be suspected that this last image is one of Sophia's parents looking for her croquet ball in the garden, I am actually in pursuit of my own.

What happens when two 2 year olds are left together

We encouraged Sophia and Maggie to play in the living room while we finished getting dinner ready.

Instead the girls climbed up onto the dining room chairs. 

We overheard them while we were in the kitchen, and were able to catch the last of several rounds on video.

Sophia turns Two!

We started the week of Sophia's second birthday with her maternal side of the family in Pennsylvania and ended it with her paternal side in New Hampshire.

Pennsylvania:

Dress up Costumes were a fun gift item this year

She received an entire collection of hats from our friend Lucile

Friends Lucile and Nada joined our family for the Pennsylvania Birthday Dinner

Sophia's favorite(blueberries) for Birthday Pie:

 

Birthday Dance:

This year Joshua and Sophia danced to her current favorite song

New Hampshire:

Making a Birthday Bouquet from Grammie's garden

Opening gifts with family

Watching the approach of her Birthday Cake