Dogs, Sea Dogs, and Salty Dogs

Sorry for being a little out of order. With this many pictures, it's easy for stuff to get missed! Above, Papa drives the boat back home while Daddy takes the pictures.

Below, new friends, Tate and Zoe. There was just such a size difference, it made me laugh!

Rick's dad took these pictures the day we were out in the boat. We call this "Seal Island," though I don't know what it's really called. Every time we've gone past it, however, it's had seals on it. So exciting!!



Below is what we usually see when we're out. Suddenly, a little "sea dog" head looking back at you!

Big Rick and Mary Jane's visit

The third week in June, Nana and Papa came up from PA for a visit. They brought their new 28ft. camper (travel trailer), and they camped down at a campground in Georgetown that was right on the water. They spent a lot of time up in town with us, but we also enjoyed a night picnicking with them at their site. Above, Cate is in her new pink chaise that arrived with Nana and Papa. Below, one of the new outfits Nana brought for Cate.


Aside from new clothes, toys, and furniture, the best thing Nana and Papa brought with them was their new Shih Tzu puppy, Tate. Tate became Cate's best friend, and she dragged (literally) that poor dog all over the house every time she was at the house. After Zoe realized Tate wasn't a squirrel, she was cool with her too. :)

Hugs for Tate.

At one point, Cate disappeared upstairs with Tate, and when we found them, Cate had put Tate in her rocker in her room and was reading her books.



We enjoyed a long boat ride one afternoon with Rick's parents. We made the usual trip down to Five Islands, where we enjoyed lunch on the dock.

A lobsterman pulling and setting his traps...

Cate has been a little more uneasy about the boat this year. You can see her enthusiasm below!

Playing, jumping, & singing

It is not at all unusual to go into Cate's room in the morning or after her nap to find her standing in her crib, holding onto the side, and jumping up and down, laughing hysterically. I also think it is no coincidence that we read and sing, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, nearly every night. As I stood watching her jumping in her crib last week, I thought to myself, "That child needs one of those mini trampolines." Low and behold, as I read the garage sale ads the very next day, one was advertising a mini trampoline! I was there at 8am, and we are now the proud owners of this fine specimen (and where were those safety rails when we were kids??)

Cate loves hiding and seeking, and on this particular night, hiding under a blanket on the couch and then trying to sneak a peek at Mommy was a super-fun game.

Below, experience the jumping fun...

This morning Cate wanted me to sing the Baby Jesus song, which pretty much means either "Jesus Loves Me," or "Jesus Loves the Little Children." Like Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights, Cate, "likes the Christmas Jesus best." Yes, Cate, when talking about Jesus, prefers the Baby Jesus. So we're still reading the Christmas Story, and all babies will most likely be called Baby Jesus. Below Cate sings a little bit of "(Baby) Jesus Loves Me..."

Dinner at Five Islands

Last Friday night, Rick suggested we go out for a boat ride, and the boat ride turned into dinner at Five Islands- Rick's favorite stop for grilled cheese and haddock chowder! And really, who can ever complain when this is the dinner view?



On our way back home, we spotted this Harbor Seal hauled out on a rock. Cate (and Mommy!) were very excited!!

Cate's slide

After much searching, Mom and Dad found this slide at a yard sale for a steal, and it has become one of Cate's favorite summer toys. Below, she expands her repertoire by adding the "backwards slide."

And a sliding video...

More Cate comments & a few pictures

Cate wearing her boots from Nana and Papa Davis.

The picture above and below are from the Memorial Day parade. Cate and I walked down to watch, and Rick was supposed to be at the firehouse covering for the guys who were in the parade. To our surprise when the Bath fire truck went by, Rick was driving! I was too busy making sure Cate saw that it was Rick to take a picture. Oops!!

And now, more funny things Cate says...

After a walk over to the Hyde School duck ponds with Gramma and Papou:
Cate: Cate feed fish bread. Cate see two duckies. (in a whisper, with index finger up to lips) Gramma say, "Shhhh."

While at Gramma and Papou's house, Gramma was cutting up potatoes:
Papou: Look, Cate, the potato has eyes.
Cate: Silly Papou!

Before bed:
Mommy: Cate, it's about time for bed.
Cate: Yes. Busy day. Good day. Busy day.

While getting dressed before school:
Cate: My tummy hurt. (audible tooting) My tummy feel better!

Polite Cate:
Cate in bed: Mommy, say, "Close eyes Cate."
Mommy: Close your eyes Cate.
Cate: Mommy, say, "Thank you, Cate, closing eyes."

Not polite Cate:
Cate to friend Olivia: Olivia, get out Cate's swing, right now!
Olivia: No, mine!

Early this morning during the first rumble of thunder:
Cate sits straight up.
Mommy: It's ok, Cate. It's just thunder.
Cate: (thinking briefly) Probably dump truck. Cate go look out window dump truck.

We opened the door to go outside just as the ice cream truck drove past. Cate looks curious:
Mommy: That's an ice cream truck.
Cate: (excited) Ice cream, Cate, favorite!!

Off to New Jersey for Sheila's graduation

Last Thursday morning we left Maine for the drive down to New Jersey for Sheila's Coast Guard graduation in Cape May. Rick and I have not been to the Jersey shore since we moved away from DC, so I was really excited to go back. Our first stop was in Smithville, a little "village" of shops and restaurants around a lake. Grandma Pappas used to live right by here, and I have so many childhood memories of this place. I was really excited to take Cate there. Unfortunately, I had the camera on the wrong setting, and most of my pictures turned out kind of blah. Plus, I kept promising Cate she could feed the ducks, and when we arrived, there were signs posted everywhere forbidding feeding them! Boo!!


Below, Cate checking out (but not feeding!) the Canada geese, their goslings, and some laughing gulls.

After we left Smithville, we went on to the Ocean City boardwalk. First stop- Mack and Manco's pizza- yumm!!!!!! Unfortunately, Johnson's popcorn was NOT open, and many of the shops were closing up at 5. I had to remind myself that it was only early May and it was midweek. Oh well, at least we got our pizza!



Cate ran up and down the boardwalk- good exercise for a little one who had been cooped up in the car all day.

Arrival in Cape May

After we left Ocean City, we made the short drive on to Cape May, where we got checked in to our hotel- the Montreal Inn. We had a beautiful view from our 3rd floor balcony (see above!). And shortly after arriving, we went to the beach. Rick took Cate down first, and that's actually them in the middle of the above photo. Below, you can see our hotel- the long place with the red roof- from the beach. I wish we would have been there for more than one night!

Cate with hands full of sand.

Right along this stone jetty, there were tons of fabulous rocks and shells that made for lots of fun. Rick's pockets were also clanking with shells on our walk back to the hotel.

Below is Cate's artistic pile of rocks and shells that she created.

Look at those sweet little footprints!

Cate digging in the sand and doing her best NOT to leave the beach. In the end, she had to be carried away. :(