We had an amazing Fourth of July weekend! We were invited by our friends, the Crumpler family, to join them at their home on Bald Head Island. Bald Head itself is a delightful oasis. We drove about 3 hours east of Durham to the coast, and boarded a ferry to take us to the island. eaw took to the boat like a fish to water – he loved seeing the water, birds, and other boats, as well as feeling the sun on his face and the wind in his hair. Grandma and Grandpa Ballis would be so proud. The island has no cars, using golf carts and bicycles as the primary means of transport. mtw didn’t stop giggling all weekend while out and about in the golf carts. Their home was spectacular, situated in the wooded portion of the island, rather than right on the water. We enjoyed delicious meals, charming conversation, and some much appreciated down time at the ocean. Mrs. Crumpler, especially, provided me with some good advice and food for thought about motherhood, career, and identity. They are such a generous family.
eaw’s first Independence Day as a US citizen was spent in style, complete with evening fireworks and glow sticks (that proved more impressive to him than the fireworks) right on the beach. The next morning provided race boats and water skiing. eaw continued to love the boats and the water – it seems we will have to find creative ways to nurture this instinct seeing that we are so landlocked in Ohio. mtw earned an “A” for effort in trying to get up on the wake board with mdw and eaw cheering him on. Maybe next time.
I told him he was providing a good example to eaw about the process being more important than the outcome – have a good time, do your best, and surround yourself with sincere support. We just happened to be sharing the morning with some of the Crumpler’s friends, including a 17-year-old champion snowboarder from Switzerland (literally, she competes for the Swiss). Needless to say, she provided a good example of when the process and the outcome are equally stunning. She was truly impressive on the wakeboard.
The ferry ride back was as fun as the trip over, and eaw got to meet the captain. We are truly grateful to the Crumplers for such a lovely weekend, full of new sights, sounds, and splashes.
…than North Carolina! We are getting close to finishing up our six week “summering in the South.” All in all, it’s been a great ride. mtw has been working hard – long, physical days. The time here has been a little different than I expected (less professional development for me, but much more personal development for me and eaw), and it has been well spent. After a few unsuccessful attempts with the ADF daycare option, eaw and I decided to spend our days and nights exploring the city of my birth. Some favorites included an indoor carousel at the local mall, story time at the library, the water slide at the pool (eaw is fearless), dinosaurs at the Natural History museum in Raleigh, the Durham Bulls in action, a charming children’s museum in Chapel Hill, and the many attractions at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Here are a few highlights:
