There She Grows!

We arrived Saturday, July 11 in Avon, NC on the pristine Outer Banks eager to begin our 11 member Schnelle Summer Vacation. Already, we have enjoyed dipping our toes in the cool surf, collecting shells in the quiet of early morning, and a mini-outing to Kitty Hawk in Kill Devil Hills. There, we enjoyed the Annual Kite Festival; Emma even got to make and fly her own kite. (We look forward to flying the kite from Pop Pop Roger on the beach, too.)

We stay only a few minutes walk from the beach (only a trek across one dune) so we play there every chance we get. By the time we are done, we look like we have been batter dipped. Our beautiful beach home is even equipped with an outdoor hot shower--divine!

We look forward to the rest of our trip and anticipate day trips to Hatteras, a ride on the ferry to Ocracoke, a day in Manteo with a production of Charlotte's Web, then a trip to the aquarium. Who knows what else we Schnelle's will get into.

Wish you were here!

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More from the beach---Ahhhhhhhhh....seriously, do we have to leave? These leisurely days, fresh salty air, soft sand between our toes, sunny weather, and quality time with family makes me long for our trip to continue, but alas, we must return home. Only one more day at the beach awaits us, then we pack up into our caravan for the ten hour plus trip to Tennessee.

Tuesday, Emma, Kay, and I saw a production of Charlotte's Web in the morning. It was delightful and a trial run for when the rest of the grownups would travel to Roanoke Island for the production of "The Lost Colony" that evening (which they complimented, even after their late night return--even earlybirds Heath and Kay raved!) We spent some time flying kites and playing in the sand an surf, too.

Wednesday, we traveled to Hatteras, boarded the Ferry and traveled to Ocrakoke Island. After a leisurely lunch at Jolly Rogers, we watched Lock and Gina prepare for their parasail adventure, then we roamed around, viewed the Ocracoke lighthouse, and treated ourselves to a scoop of ice cream on a covered porch to retreat from the heat. The ferry was a fun adventure for Emma and Addie. Both would have been further out onto the nose of the ferry if we had let them. Addie even poked her whole face through the nylon straps to get a closer look at the water as we chugged toward the island.

Today, we traveled to Roanoke Island again, the town of Manteo, for a magic show at Festival Park. The couple who were the magicians were really incredible. In addition to Heath being called up to assist during an act, at the end of the show, Emma was levitated by the magician and Heath went home with some tricks up his sleeve. After a picnic lunch with some very curious squirrels, we went to the Aquarium. For a nominal fee (really) we enjoyed seeing a vast array of aquatic life. The kids loved all of the tactile features of the aquarium and Emma even touched a stingray! Whoa.

She even keeps up with Daddy on his big bike, tooling around the cemetary adjacent to our condo. She pedals furiously even down the hills. She likes to stick her feet out as she coasts down our biggest hill. On our walk today, we had to tell her to slow down so we could keep up with her! Quite the daredevil she is.

"I'm a big girl now!" Emma says as she holds up four sticky fingers.

Mommy had planned a simple party to celebrate the occasion with immediate family in attendance...key word being "simple." I asked the guest of honor to get a little input on the menu who eagerly suggested ham sandwiches, chips, and cake. While she nor Heath enjoy salad, I thought that might balance out a menu of starches, starches, starches, and a dairy (ice cream).

I (Tonja) squirrel things away when I find them, and file away ideas when I see them in Better Homes and Gardens and other magazines that I enjoy second-hand from Moo Moo Kay. I had found a precious (and simple butterfly cake--made of two halved single round layer cakes (the butterfly wings) and four cupcakes (the butterfly body.)

Two days prior to the well-planned (and simple) party, Emma declared, "I want a kitty cake, Mama!"

I thought, "Okay, I can be flexible. I will make a round cake, decorate it with a cat's face and stick triangular ears on it," but in mid-thought, Emma added, "with a head and a body, paws, and a tail, Mama." She also added, "And a cake for the kitty bed, too." I declined that addition--pronto!

How would I pull this off? Long story short, in the wee hours the night before, I assembled a 3-D cat from a cake baked in a mixing bowl with a cupcake head, spice drop ears and nose, and mini cupcake paws. The tail was a carved twinkie stuck on with toothpicks. Being a perfectionistic overachiever, I even tinted coconut green for grass.

So proud of my labor, I brought out the cake I had well-concealed all day until the unveiling at the birthday party.
Emma's response? "A bear cake!!!!!"

Oh, bother!

Lessons learned: Never icing a still-warm cake, regardless of how late it is and save the 3-D cakes for the bakers.