Take a Hike - See an Alligator - Go Crabbing

PART ONE: TAKE A HIKE - SEE AN ALLIGATOR

Today we headed North to Cypress Gardens (http://www.cypressgardens.info/) to explore the swamp/wetlands and go on our gator hunt. This place is so cool! First of all, kids under 6 get in free, and you can opt out of the guided tours, and go exploring on your own. Our first stop was to grab a bateau and head out into the swamp. We found our first gator within minutes. He was so cute and little, but I was ready to scram because I was sure his momma was lurking by somewhere close and I just couldn't see her. Can you see him?
We also saw lots of beautiful lily pads, flowers, dragonflies, turtles, etc. while out in the boat. After the ride, we had our picnic lunch on a big swing in the shade, and then headed off for our hike around the swamp. Doesn't this make you want to go exploring?

Along the trail we saw more turtles, small gators, squirrels, spiders, grasshoppers, and lots of birds. The most interesting thing we saw was this beautiful Osprey sitting on her nest. We saw her, leave, come back, and call for her mate. It was really cool! The nest is right over Sky's head in the photo below.

The girls loved this squirrel who was busy snacking on berries from this tree. After Daddy confirmed it ok for them to try, they tasted the berries too!


After the hike we had a little conversation with a cockatoo and a macaw. ;-) Then we headed in to the butterfly house. We saw lots of butterflies, bees, & birds.

Then we witnessed an alligator feeding. Yikes! Wouldn't want that job!

We finished off the tour with a visit to the swamparium. Inside were eels, gators, a variety of fish, bugs, turtles. This guy was my favorite, but I'm still not sure if I love him or hate him. He's a snaked necked turtle. The fact that his eyes look straight forward and that he has a beard just kept me intrigued. hehe.

We left the Swamp and headed back towards our neck of the woods. Bia napped the whole way home, so we decided to take advantage of the beautiful late afternoon at low tide, and headed out crabbing.

PART TWO - GO CRABBING

All you need is a crab trap, string, and some chicken. Oh, and a Dad to lug all the stuff down to the old bridge, rig everything up, and retrieve the crabs out of the trap. ;-)

The old bridge Pitt Street Bridge has been converted into a fishing pier/park. Its about 1/2 a mile from our house, and its one of the wonderful things about living in the Old Village of Mt. Pleasant.

Heading out to find our spot.

Getting all set up...Bia checking the trap.One of the little fellas we caught. We didn't catch any big enough to take home, but we had fun none the less.

Here's the girls tag teaming an effort to fish. Aren't the so cute together?

I could have sat out on the old bridge all night. It's like a dream out there with the wind blowing, birds flying overhead & down in the grass, boats cruising by, and the smell of marsh in the summertime. A beautiful Carolina day!

Play in the Fountains Downtown

Downtown Charleston is an entire world of it's own, and it's only about 10 minutes from us, across the Ravenel Bridge. Early one Saturday morning, we decided to venture out and find the famous fountains on East Bay where the city dweller's children go to play. Here's the girls on the front stoop before we headed out.

Super silly faces! (note Skylar's serpant tounge.)
We found the fountains and were the first ones there. These girls were all over it like white on rice!

Bianca playing.

Skylar giving Bianca a giant (unwanted) embrace.



Skylar playing.Tons of fun!

Afterward, the 4 of us played tag in a big open waterfront park nearby. We took a walk along the battery, and enjoyed boat & people watching. Life is good!

Explore A Tide Pool

After supper last night, Russ was ready for some fresh air, and suggested we go for a walk on the beach. We went to a new area, an inlet between Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island. It's a beautiful area (shocking, i know) with a wide beach, and currents going in a few directions, which creates a dynamic unlike anything I've experienced. Great for exploring! We brought the stroller since it was close to bedtime, but didn't end up using it at all. Once the girls discovered it was nearly low tide, and there were tidepools all around us, they got a second wind. They were downright slap-happy and ended up completely soaked!

Skylar found this welk. I thought she'd freak when she realized he was alive but she didn't. She simply stated, "hey, he's still alive in there! look, he's coming out!"

We brought home an abundance of shells - to, of course, make shell necklaces later.

These 3 dudes were traveling in a pack. I found this interesting since they appear to be all different species.

We found this fella, and even though he was dead, he was still interesting to check out!

Here's a glimpse of how the night went...

After about 1.5 hours of play, we headed home. I think they could've stayed there all night.

Make New Friends - Visit the Aquarium

We were so lucky to make fast friends with our awesome neighbors. They've been so friendly right from the get-go, and yesterday, they invited us to visit the aquarium with them, and of course, we will thrilled to join in the fun! Unfortunately, I left my SD card in my computer, so all I had was my phone for photos.

Bianca, Finn, and Skylar making their silly faces

We saw so many amazing creatures creatures at the aquarium (including an alligator, which is on our list, but we decided to wait until we see one in nature to cross it off). The best part was the turtle hospital, located in the basement. There were about a dozen injured & sick turtles there; some diseased, some hit by boats, and even one that ate too many horseshoe crabs and damaged itself from overindulging. There were various species and the girls were so interested in getting an up close look at the little guys... and the giant ones too!

After the aquarium, Lelia introduced me to local restaurant on the water. I had an amazing she crab soup. yum! It was a lovely day to sit outside and look out at the ocean. i love charleston!

Make Princess Crowns

After hitting up wal-mart (there is no craft store to be found around here!) we came home with multi-colored construction paper, & a vat of glitter. That's pretty much all you need to make these 2 happy. ;-)

Process.

Result.

Cross that one off the list!

Summer Fun 2011

Since we are in a new city, and have so much exploring that we want to do, the girls and I decided to embark on a new self-created adventure titled "Summer Fun 2011." Russ will, of course, be joining in on the adventures and simple summer fun on the weekends. After brainstorming over pancakes, we came up with a pretty great list. The plan is to complete all 50 awesome activities, in no particular order, before the girls start pre-school at the end of August.

I started out by making this board that we can hang in the playroom, to remind us of all the fun we've got at our fingertips at home, in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and the surrounding areas. The girls can check items off the list as we go.

The blogs to follow will be titled based on the activity we chose from the list. I plan to take lots of pictures so the girls will remember all the fun we had in the summer of 2011 when they were 4 1/2 and 2 1/2.

Bowling. Visit a Museum. Jump Rope. Build a Sandcastle. Get Pedicures. Go on a Moon Walk at the Beach. Have a Water Balloon Fight. Play in the Dirt. Pick Strawberries. Explore a Tidepool. Make New Friends. Ride Bikes. See an Alligator. Make Lemonade. Go Camping. Water Park. Have a Dance Party. Celebrate Sky's Birthday. Outdoor Movie. Go Kayaking. Take a Hike. Ride a Train. Make Homemade Pizzas. Do the Library Summer Reading Program. Go Crabbing. Play in the Fountains Downtown. Go to Minnesota. Lay in the Hammock. Make Shell Necklaces. Do Yoga. Draw with Chalk. Make Princess Crowns. Visit the Aquarium. Go out to Breakfast. Fly a Kite. Go Fishing. Visit Bigmom & Pop. Swing on a Porch Swing. Go to a Farmer's Market. Have a Party. Family Game Night. Run in a Race. Paint. See a Dolphin. Go on a Road Trip. Blow Bubbles. Have a Campfire. Play in the Sprinkler.

Let the Fun Begin!!!