Destin, Florida: Camping on the Beach

About a month before Memorial Day, Sean checked the campground in Destin for available spots and with our luck one site was open!  This campground is the type that quickly fills up 180 days before the reservation date.  And our luck continued once we were there because the whole vacation was idyllic.  We opened the invitation to Papa, Marilyn, and Papa's RV so despite our tent camping a RV was close by.  Although the campground had very clean, air-conditioned bathrooms.  Probably the best bathrooms we have ever seen camping, but that is besides the point.  We had heard a lot about Destin with its super blue skies, soft and cool sand, and the crystal clear water.  Naturally Destin lived up to its reputation.  We stayed four days, but I chose to combine the vacation into one massive post.    
 

As Gavin would say, "I love the beach."
 

Busting out the kite Gavin received for his fourth birthday.  You read that right!
 

Gavin's turn!
 

 

Papa and Marilyn
 

Chilling in the shade.
 

More chilling in the shade.
 

High flying kite and a little relaxation.
 

One of our daily trips to or from the beach.
 

Looking down the beach.  You can tell where the state park ends and the high-rise condos begin.  We were on protected state property so many of the typical tourists were nowhere near our beach-front.  It was heavenly and made us feel like we had the whole place to ourselves.
 

Argh!
 

On the sunset dolphin cruise.
 

We saw the sunset and many dolphins.
 

Watch out!
 

Oh no!  Now especially watch out!
 

Here was the sunset part.
 

Silly Logan.
 

Logan still being silly.
 

The boys thought the sun was bright apparently.
 

Marilyn and Papa relaxing in the shade.

Sandcastle time!

People kept admiring their creations when they walked by our spot.

About 23 weeks along.

Teaching Gavin how to boogie board.

Loving the ride in but Gavin was done after this one run.

Sean's turn.

Relaxing the vacation away!

Destin, Florida: Happy 5th Birthday Gavin!

On his true birthday, Gavin got to spend his day soaking up the sun and playing in the sand on the beautiful beaches of Destin, Florida!  Destin will be a whole other post for this entry will just be about Gavin when he turned five.

We love our Gavin.  He was our first and often sets the bar very high for others to follow. He is outspoken, friendly to all, rule-follower, energetic, and caring.  He often thinks of others, will gravitate to reading when bored, and loves to run and laugh.  Gavin is a very social child and will often bring the book he is reading right next to where I am sitting.  He is curious and sweet, and often remarks that his brother Logan is his best friend.

Happy 5th Birthday, Gavin!
We love you a lot!
 

Peachtree City, Georgia: Gavin's 5 Year Old Wipeout Birthday

Gavin really loves the reality show on ABC called WIPEOUT where contestants run through crazy obstacle courses of water and foam.  So when I was trying to persuade his little birthday heart on anything other than Chuck E. Cheese, he was floored on the idea of Wipeout.  Saved!  We held his party in the front yard and like last year the night before we left on vacation for the big Memorial Day weekend.  We kept the guest list small this year and invited some of his closest 5 year old friends or classmates.  The whole thing was a success and everyone had a blast!

Searching for their numbers in the foam pool.
 

 

Then sliding down in the pool.
 

 

Water Balloons!
 

 

And of course, a slip and slide!  I love Chance's karate kick.
 

 

Thanks Gavin for showing us your food.
 

Birthday boy in a party hat.
 

Present time!
 

Hugs of gratitude!  I promise this kid sees the sun sometimes and he is much tanner now at the end of the summer.
 

 

 

Devin, Rebecca, Gavin, Chance, Bella, Logan, Nicholas, and Graham.  Logan is apparently a rebel without his party hat.
 

Graham was one of his best friends from church and preschool.  (Graham is also one of the boys pictured in the August Friend with Gavin but more on that later.)
 

Rebecca was a good friend and classmate from this past year of preschool.  She recently moved to Georgia, but Gavin and Rebecca had personalities made for each other.
 

Nicholas and his little sister Bella were good friends from preschool too!  We would have a play group outside of school with them so we saw them often.
 

Devin was another of Gavin's best friends from church and preschool.  (Devin was also the third boy pictured in the August Friend with Gavin but more on that later.)
 

And finally Chance was another good friend from both years of preschool!  These two boys had complimenting personalities as well and would play so well together.

We were blessed to have another great birthday party filled with many great friends and memories!

United Methodist Church Preschool: Last Day of Preschool Party!

On the last day of preschool, the teachers threw the entire school a party complete with activity stations and pizza.  The kids loved moving throughout the areas and even siblings were invited to attend.  I have so much love and adoration for UMC PTC.  The director who runs the program is an angel filled with so much love and sweetness you would expect from a grandmother.  The teachers that fill the school are equally worthy of great praise, and we could not be more grateful for our two years spent in their program.

Movement (a.k.a PE) Station
 

 

I adore their smiles at one another.
 

Playground Station
 

Cheese!
 

Bounce House Station
 

Sandbox Station
 

 

Big Wheel Station
 

Now back to the classroom for pizza and a party!
Sam, Chance, and Gavin had both years of preschool together and all played so well together.
 

Gavin receiving his preschool diploma and kindergarten book from Mrs. Allagnon and Mrs. Lloyd.
 

Logan, Gavin, and Sam enjoying some juice boxes.
 

Here is a perfect 'end of the year' picture to sum up the class.  It was a super small, tight knit class that all loved each other.  And you might notice Logan in the pile underneath Gavin in this picture.  He got sandwiched in between a few kids (including his brother) and could not get out for the picture.
 

Mrs. Brenda Lloyd and Gavin
 

Gavin and Mrs. Amy Allagnon
 

Missing two classmates at this point but at least a more formal group picture.
 

Watch out Kindergarten, this boy is ready for you!