Two New Junior Rangers

Today after church, and a filling lunch at Angies, we took the kids back to Fort Caroline to finish earning their Jr. Ranger Badges.  We had completed the Q&A inside the Visitor's Center initially but hadn't gotten to walk out to the fort.

 Headed out to the fort

Reading more info on the fort and the French who lived here.

Riley leading the way...

A recreation of a hut we found along the path

My boys hanging out on the boat dock along the path.  

Looking out towards Blout Island.  We were hoping to see some dolphins but no luck today. 

 The fort entrance at la Caroline

Dad helping Riley finish his packet

 Hanging out on the cannon

 Spanish moss on a southern oak tree is just beautiful

 This was our hiking path today.

Our afternoon hike

 Officially Junior Rangers!!!  Kendall's first badge!!!

We decided to hike around Spanish Pond which is directly across the street from the Fort entrance.  We've hiked it when we lived here before but the kids didn't remember it.  Along the way is this awesome tree that was too tempting not to climb!

 My handsome Little Man

 Isn't this an awesome tree?  Made Andy long for his treehouse he built as a kid.  It'd be a perfect treehouse tree.

 Our trail took us out to a marsh where the kids got to see oysters, crabs, herons and at a distance either a raccoon or muskrat.  They had a great time even though it was hot and humid.  When we got home they both took showers and headed to bed.  Kendall fell right to sleep but Riley...ah, sweet Riley.  Most of you know how much he likes to sleep.

To celebrate our new Junior Ranger badges, I made homemade ice cream and let the kids create their very own sundaes.  Not a bad day for our little ones!

Kendallism

One night Kendall got out of bed shortly after I tucked her in.  She told us that something in her bed felt like Daddy's whiskers.  That stumped both of us so I sent Andy in to check it out.  Kendall showed him the spot in her bed where she felt the "whiskers."  Andy reached down to discover a bed full of SAND!  So glad there weren't any whiskers in her bed!  Gotta love beach living!

Momma's Super Groms

The Florida Surfing Association puts on 3 Super Grom Surfests each summer.  One in June, July and August.  Friends of ours have done it in the past and their kids loved it so we were determined to try it out this year.  

Registration is FREE which is the best part.  The kids had to get up early so we could hit the beach by 8:45.  Thank goodness parking in Jax Beach is no problem at that hour!  We checked the kids in and then waited for instructions.

First the instructors had the kids stretch and warm up

The kids were in the first heat.  They all wore these shirts in the water which made all the little ones easy to spot.

Riley getting some instruction from his teacher.

Kendall wasn't too sure what to think.  Being in the first heat probably wasn't the best for her, but they did it alphabetical so we didn't have a choice.  She could have benefited from watching other kids to have a better idea of what to expect.

Needed a little coaxing from her teacher

Riley had no problem heading right out - the other downside of surfing at 9 am is that the sun is at a terrible angle for photo ops...

 She's UP!  Not bad for her first attempt!

  

And she's back down.  I think she got nervous.

 Here goes Riley!

A little off balance...

Opps - he ended up falling off!

Second attempt was more successful!

Getting his balance

 Got it...

High Fives with his instructor!

 Trying again

Having fun! 

Look at my little guy go!

Here goes Sissy again

She's up!

Now she's all the way up!  Just gotta get her to change her feet. 

Another try

Little Man fell in love with surfing

He thinks he's pretty cool now that he's surfed!

His instructor was awesome and provided a great first experience for Riley!

Sweet Frog came to visit the Super Groms on the beach!

Gotta have a little sas at the beach!

Afterwards the kids received shirts, medals, goodie bags and PIZZA!

170 little Super Groms and their instructors at the Grom Fest

The kids have already asked to participate again next year.  It's a free event that tries to get kids excited about surfing.  The FSA also offers surf camps during the summer.  They also offer a One Day Surf Camp for kids.  I think I'm going to start with that and see how much they like it.  If it's a hit, I may put them in EPIC next summer.  Andy's boss' kids do that one and they are happy with it.  It's a Christian camp.  I just have to see if they'd take Kendall since she won't turn 6 until half way through next summer.