As you all know, the Matthew Butwin family is now residing in sunny VA Beach! The move was smooth and the transitions are as expected. Another week and they all should be into a healthy routine.
A recap of the first week and a half: The drive was fast thanks to Mommy's lead foot. Made the trip in a little over 11 hours. Daddy was not very happy with her driving, but everyone is safe, even if Mommy is a typical woman driver. Hmm.
The unpacking went smoothly and done in five days. Organizing is still taking place, but the house is definitely livable, hence organization slowing down.
Mommy, William and Madelyn have taken Duke on many walks around the ponds. There are aeration fountains in the ponds which William and Madelyn enjoy seeing. William especially likes the concept of the poop bags and cans stationed around the area. There are lots of ducks and geese that William didn't quite know how they got here from Chautauqua!
There is a small play ground in the area that William and Madelyn have played on a few times. Madelyn thinks she is 5 and it is bound to give Mommy some kind of heart failure in the future.
The weekend was great for adventures. It was raining so Saturday morning everyone was up and out of the house by 8:30 to get coffee and to the Science Center and Aquarium by 9. Can't say enough about the awesomeness of it! A highlight: Madelyn gave the alligator (or was it a crocodile) a kiss through the tank! No fear, that girl! William LOVED the puffer fish. Although, Daddy isn't sure they were actually puffer fish. They were pretty cool, nonetheless!
After the aquarium, off to eat at BIG SAM'S. It was a bit of a challenge in the restaurant with both William and Madelyn, but it was yummy and fun. Mommy is ordering seafood EVERY TIME she goes out to eat!
William was so desperate to see the beach that Daddy pulled the van over as close as he could get to the beach and ran him to the board walk in the pouring rain just so he could see. The rain was coming down sideways. It was really messy out, but William was happy to see it. Later, at home, William says, "It's not raining anymore, let's go back to the beach." Hopefully, the weekend weather will clear up in the future. The upcoming weekend is looking like rain too:(
Sunday was zoo day. The day was gray with spots of light rain, but it was perfect for a first-time visit! There were few people and William and Madelyn were able to see all the animals easily.
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| Sleeping after a walk through Mount Trashmore park. |
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| Hi! |
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| Wee! |
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| A cool morning in Virginia Beach. |
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| Look at that! |
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| High five! |
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| Cool tunnel of fish! |
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| What's that?! |
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| Sea turtle! |
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| Check that thing out! |
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| That fish is bigger than Madelyn! |
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| Wow! So cool! |
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| Just watching. |
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| Oh, no! A shark got Daddy! |
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| Is it really a puffer fish? Kind of big, huh? |
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| Looking at the puffer fish! |
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| Petting star fish! |
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| There's a black bear in the background. |
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| Had to get them in the stroller for Mommy's sake. Too much chasing after MJ! |
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| Giraffe, up close, eating! |
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| Such a great view! |
More to come now that things are slowing down here!
So awesome! What fun places. If we ever make it down, we are totally going to the aquarium and zoo! I think that is a puffer fish (or blow fish). Love the update! Keep them coming! Hugs!