Labor Day Weekend in South Padre, and First Day of School!

Because three beach trips just weren't enough for Norah this summer, we traveled down to South Padre (actually, Laguna Vista, but close enough) for one last beach hurrah over Labor Day Weekend. Julie, Ian and Kenzie hosted us and showed us a good time all weekend.

We headed out to the beach bright and early Saturday, and Norah didn't let the massive breakfast taco she ate that morning slow her down a bit. On her agenda: running, splashing, digging, jumping, chasing birds, and yelling "yay Texas Tech!" to a couple of Red Raiders sitting a few yards down the shoreline.

"Off to work!"

"This bucket is far too empty."

Delicious!

Norah and Kenzie ensuring post-beach bathtime will be required.

Realizing she was falling behind on her running.

Off to the races!

Pure beach joy.

Ditto.

The next morning, Norah and Kenzie played for a couple of hours in Julie and Ian's backyard while I got in a round of golf at the South Padre Island Golf Club (it is worth noting that while the course is gorgeous and awesome, it is extremely difficult. I made it look easy once - when I parred the hardest hole on the course. But it is far more challenging than it is easy). Norah loved playing with Kenzie all weekend, be it running around the condo, rolling in the grass, jumping on Kenzie's trampoline, driving around Julie and Ian's backyard, or watching Diego. The girls love their Diego (thanks to Diego, Norah now has sounds/actions for the following animals: tapirs, chinchillas, penguins, pumas, jaguars, turtles, llamas, dolphins. This list is non-exclusive, and keeps growing weekly).

Sunday afternoon was pool time. Kenzie did a great job diving and swimming all over the pool, while Norah did a good job of playing in the pool's life-saver float (we forgot to pack floatation aids) and looking adorable wearing Kenzie's mask.

Monday morning, it was time to say goodbye to South Padre, and to the beach for the rest of 2009. Norah certainly is not happy that she won't get to see the ocean again for awhile, but hopefully she got her fill this summer. It is always fun watching her on the beach and with friends she hasn't seen in awhile. She is just so happy and full of energy, its like she spends the whole trip on an adrenaline high.

The day after we got back, Norah returned to her Mother's Day Out class at our church. Though she was a bit fussy when I left, it didn't last long, and I get the sense she was happier than ever to return to her twice-a-week fun fest. Oh, and check out how much she has grown in a year. Wow.