We tagged along with Grandma and Grandpa H to their boat today. Nathan and Aileena were there too which Kayda and Dillon loved ALMOST as much as the boats. From the very first moment we let them walk (past the parking lot) they immediately tried to get to the boats. They tried to walk onto the first pier we came to, it didn't matter to them if that was where the boat we are allowed on is tied. In fact, the entire time we were there we were hard pressed to get them to glance, even a moment away from either the water or the boats! Even once we were on the boat they still just wanted to stare out over the water and look at all the boats.
Several people went by on their dinghies and both kiddos would sit there and wave until they were gone. I was joking around and told Kayda that "Maybe Grandpa will row you around in the dinghy". Kayda took it to heart and the next thing we know she's repeating "boat row".
It took them a while but they started to explore the boat. Kayda was good at maneuvering even in the lifejacket. She was climbing up and down every staircase she could find.
When mommy or daddy was with her and allowed it she would climb up and down the ladder. D
addy even walked her around the outside of the boat a few times. She said "hi" through a side window and waved from the bow of the boat. She LOVED the little adventures.
Unfortunately I had to put an end to it when Dillon started fighting to do it, he's not quite big enough to hold onto the railing well enough for that yet.
For a while he was content watching them. He thought it was funny when Nathan said "hi" through the window. After we were able to block off the dangerous areas with adults or keep the kiddos inside we were able to take off Dillon's lifejacket. He was having a really hard time walking at first, he was falling down every couple of seconds and had a really difficult time standing up. W
hen we took off the life jacket he had much better balance and was able to navigate around a little bit better.
In the room in the bow you can open a hatch that goes outside. I opened it while we were playing up there and Dillon was fascinated just by looking out it.
After we were there for a while we went over to Maggie Bluffs to have dinner. While we were waiting to be seated Kayda decided that it was fun to walk around the cement edge.
Well, Dillon decided that it looked like a good idea, foruntately for him Grandma was more than happy to oblige him.
After dinner we went to the "beach" there. During low tide you can climb down some rocks and it's a pretty neat little area. Since it was high tide while we were there all we could find was one teeny little area to stand. Of course this didn't stop Nathan, Aileena, Kayda, Dillon and Daddy from having a good time. We climbed down to it and they were content throwing rocks for quite a while. Kayda even ventured into the water a couple of times, granted it was just to get her feet wet, Dillon even did it once!
On the way back to the boat Nathan was trying to jump up and touch the leaves of some trees. Dillon thought it was hilarious. He would laugh and then start trying to jump, his version of jumping is really just throwing his arms up in the air and going up on his toes a little.
At least he's trying right? Grandma was nice enough to pick him up and let him touch some of the leaves.
Back at the boat we had a great time. Kayda discovered the oars for the dinghy and wanted to paddle the big boat. I had her content on my lap...for all of 10 seconds. Next thing we know she's got Daddy and Nathan on opposite sides of the boat "paddling". She knew those oars were SUPPOSED to touch the water. Silly mommy, thinking I could fool her by "rowing" in my lap.
The kids each had their turns driving...with the engine off and Grandpa and Dillon had a good time playing.
We finally went home around 8:15 with the hopes that both kids would fall asleep in the car. It worked for Dillon, unfortunately by 9:30 he was awake again with a good "nap" under his belt. Kayda didn't fall asleep until after we got home but at least ONE of them is sleeping right now!
Dillon and Chase hung out for a little while playing in the mushy sand before Dillon's attention span ran out. Chase eventually crawled his way into the water. Dillon wasn't as brave as he was yesterday. 
He can handle walking out to the middle of his shins but after that he keeps putting his arms up to be picked up. I guess he's used to being in someone's arms in the water. I'll have to work on that. 
He had a great time with his cousins. He played in the sand with Chase, tried to give Ella some water and was chased by Jarrett, unfortunately I don't have a picture of that one...I was chasing him too. It was pretty crowded and he's quick! Dillon is really big into kid watching, not people watching, just kids. He spent most of his time watching the other kids play. Occassionally he would be entertained splashing the water or digging with a shovel but for the most part he just wandered around and watched other kids play.
Kayda also followed Jarrett out into the water pretty frequently. Fortunately for me she listened pretty well when I told her it was time to turn around. I guess it helps that Jarrett was a very good helper and never wandered too far out for Kayda to come with. Though as you can tell from the picture she got in pretty deep, this is her standing and running in the water, not sitting. You may also notice she has a GIANT grin on her face, I'd say we did a pretty good job making them love the water!
