A few weeks ago, Anne picked up a horse barn and a dozen plastic horses at a yard sale, and immediately started asking to see some real horses in person. I figured it would be a great opportunity to introduce her to Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton, which was a favorite place of mine when I was a little older than her. Bluebird Gap is kind of a magical place for a little kid -- not only can you see and meet all sorts of barnyard animals but you can, in many cases, get the chance to pet and feed them, too.

We set off on a perfect day and made friends with some very nice chickens, turkeys, goats, fluffy sheep and alpacas, and even a very inquisitive emu or two. Anouk loved seeing the cows grazing and was fascinated by the pigs. And as for horses, we not only got to pet several, but we got to see them being exercised in the yard, which was a treat.




Besides the barnyard, Bluebird Gap features one of the prettiest flower and vegetable gardens in the area, and a really boss playground and an easy, kid-friendly nature trail, too. We spent a good chunk of our Saturday there, checking it all out. It was one of the things I love best about living in this area where I grew up -- sharing places that I loved as a child with A., and seeing her fall in love with them just like I did.

Bluebird Gap is a city park, which means it's FREE and open to the public seven days a week. If you go on a Wednesday morning between 10:30 and 11:30, you just might get the chance to see the sheep being sheared in the livestock barn! Too cool. Find a checklist of things to plan to see/bring to the farm for a wonderful visit here.

On the 12th of this month, we left to go down to Kitty Hawk to spend a few days in the Outer Banks to spend time with some great friends. It was extremely fun and sorely needed, so thank you, thank you, thank you, M. and A., for having us!

The drive down to OBX is one of my favorite parts so I was glad to have the chance to capture it. How come I never, ever get tired of this drive no matter how many times we do it, but other ones I make regularly make me want to scream?

Click on over to No Monsters in My Bed and Not-So-SAHM to see how they spent their days.



11:00 PM: Our bags are packed and we're ready to go. This is kind of a record for us.



12:30 PM: I always forget how big Chesapeake is until we are driving through it.  This out the window for a looooong time.


1:30 PM: We stop at Powell's Roadside Market, which is a regular thing for us when we go to Nags Head. We pick up some baked goods and Anne lucks into a pint of blackberries. Anouk has carseat hair, which always makes me smile.



1:45 PM: Berry face.

2:00 PM: Crossing the sound. Almost there!



2:30 PM: We head down to the pool first thing when we arrive.


 5:00 PM: Baby T. shows off one of her signature headbands while the dads prep dinner.

7:00 PM: After dinner games. Anouk finds a sandbox and plays until it's too dark to see.

I
I mentioned on Monday that we spent a few days with friends in Nags Head this past weekend, and while we were there, we managed to find the most kid-friendly beach spot in all of the Outer Banks. It's Jennette's Pier: bathrooms and showers nearby, shady underneath, refreshments and entertainment above. We spent something like eight (!) hours at the beach one day with a seven-month-old and three-year-old in tow and nobody got sunburned or even had a tantrum.

Jennette's Pier isn't exactly a hidden secret -- the pier has been around since the 1930s, and was totally renovated and reopened in 2011 after almost being destroyed by Hurricane Isabel when she swept through in the early 2000s. The new pier is state of the art: all-concrete, a thousand feet long, and powered partly by solar energy and the wind turbines that circle overhead (it took a while to get used to the sound of the turbines going around when we were up top but after a little while we didn't notice them at all.)

Besides a gift shop and fishing on the back half of the pier, there's a small aquarium up front that Anouk loved watching every time we came up to visit the bathrooms. And there was plenty of other wildlife to see -- while we were fishing we spotted a sea turtle and a small dogfish shark (that James caught -- a little upsetting to actually realize they do live in the same ocean near where we swim). When it was time to eat, we just walked across the street to one of the great little cafes there (the maui sandwich at Sam and Omie's came highly recommended).

By the time we went home we were soggy, sandy, and tired but happy, too.

I missed posting this last Friday because we were in the Outer Banks, to spend a few days with friends. Anouk and I picked up this junior seashell guide (affiliate link) by the National Audubon Society at the library a couple of weeks ago and it has been a beach bag staple item since! We've been having a lot of fun scouring the sand for shells and trying to match them up to the photos in the book (so far, we haven't found one that isn't featured, so it seems the guide is pretty thorough). I think we might get our own copy to keep.

Here are a few more photos from our beach trip in Nags Head (with more to come Wednesday). The last one is when we were interviewed to be on the local news! My friend A. and her baby T. are ready for their close-ups, can't you tell?



Happy Monday!

I picked up this bag of yaupon tea on our Mothers Day weekend trip to Ocracoke and couldn't wait to brew a cup when we got home. Yaupon tea is native to the Outer Banks area, and has been a popular drink for thousands of years, used in Native American rituals and as a replacement for Asian tea and coffee during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The people I talked to on Ocracoke said that some old timers still remember their parents and grandparents drinking it around the beginning of the last century.

Yaupon is supposed to be rich in antioxidants, and besides that, it is the only native North American plant to contain caffeine! Some people also swear that it is a bang-up cure for a hangover (but I am not so sure it would make a dent in any of the ones I've had, so take that with a grain of salt).

To brew a cup, I crumbled a spoonful of leaves into a tea strainer, and let it steep in very hot water for about 5 minutes. When it was fully steeped, the color was a very pale yellow green, like a mild green tea. The taste was also mild like a green tea, only without the floral notes. After a little experimenting, I think I like it best with a little honey and lemon.



I'm not sure it will replace my love of coffee in the mornings but it's definitely a nice afternoon pick-me-up and probably one of my favorite souvenirs I've picked up on our travels.

You can buy yaupon tea at the Village Craftsman in Ocracoke or online (affiliate link).

I snapped these photos last weekend, at the Blackbeard Pirate Festival in Hampton. That's one of my favorite things about living in Hampton Roads in the summer (besides the quality beach time available) -- the awesome summer festivals that spring up all over the area. It seems like every weekend in the summer features a new extravaganza, the chance to taste/see/do/experience something new, outdoors, with friends.

So for this week's Friday Five, I thought I'd list some of the upcoming festivals that we, as a family, are most excited about. We've already marked them on our calendar, have you?


1. Norfolk Harborfest: Features the Parade of Sail and the largest fireworks show on the East Coast! Starts TONIGHT. June 6-7. (On the other side of the river, check out the Portsmouth Seawall Music Festival, also starting tonight).

2. Tall Ships at Cape Charles Festival: A rare opportunity to get up close to and explore tall ships and to talk with the crew. June 14-15.

3. Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Festival: New Orleans spirit and culture (and food!) in Town Point Park. June 20-22.

4. Knotts Island Peach Festival: Crafts, classic cars, music and PEACHES just over the border in North Carolina. June 28-29.

5. Pork, Peanut, and Pine Festival: Enjoy three of Virginia's biggest exports while strolling Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry. July 19-20.


Over at Fun and Free Hampton Roads this week, I wrote about the Thursdays in the Park concert series happening all summer long at the Mariner's Park in Newport News. What a great deal!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

It's officially beach season in #HRVA! With so many beaches to choose from in our area, it can be hard to pick, but with little ones in tow, finding the right beach is important. There are tons of great beach lists out there, but we've compiled a list of all of the beaches in the area from a kid-friendly perspective. Read on to check them out (and be sure to let us know if there are any we've missed)!


Virginia Beach

Oceanfront: From Grommet Island Park all the way up to 40th Street, the Virginia Beach Oceanfront offers the mainstream Virginia Beach experience. There's always a festival to check out (Chalk the Walk is a great one) and the Virginia Legends Walk, one of the best-kept secrets of VB, is right nearby. We like to grab breakfast at Pocahontas Pancake and Waffle Shop and make a day of it. Lifeguards are on duty during the season.

North End: Running from 40th to 86th Streets, the North End is surrounded mostly by beach cottages, quieter than the Oceanfront, with more of a locals vibe. We included it on our weekend Hampton Roads travel itinerary last summer -- it's a great beach to take out-of-towners who want the Oceanfront experience, but don't want to get lost in the crowds. Lifeguards are on duty during the season.

Chic's Beach: Chic's Beach has a sportier feel than the other Virginia Beach beaches -- you'll see just as many people fishing and boating as sunbathing. It has great views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and is close to some of the best dining the area has to offer. Parking can be ridiculous on narrow neighborhood streets, but it's worth trying. (Sidenote: Little ones should be warned about steering clear of fishing lines set up on the sand.)

Croatan Beach: Just south of Rudee Inlet, Croatan Beach is home to the US East Coast Surfing Championship each year. The beach is in a residential neighborhood, with almost nothing in the way of accommodations (no restrooms, no lifeguards) but home to some great waves. Park where you can.

First Landing State Park: The beach at First Landing is a gentle bay beach, perfect for paddling with the littlest beachgoers or launching kayaks or paddleboards. Restrooms and showers are available, hooray! There's a great view of the container ships waiting to go through the shipping lanes, which is pretty neat to watch. When you tire of sunbathing and swimming, drive across Shore Drive to visit the Nature Center and hike the Bald Cypress Trail. Parking fills up quickly on the weekends, so get there early. Admission is $4 per vehicle on weekdays and $5 on the weekends.

Sandbridge: To get to Sandbridge, you have to drive almost all the way to North Carolina, but it's worth it. Sandbridge, which started out as a resort destination, features the wonderful Little Island Park (with restrooms, concessions and playground) and a bustling Farmer's Market. Bonus points: It's close to Back Bay and False Cape State Park. It also features some of the best waves in Virginia (in our humble opinions). A great location for a weekend staycation. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Norfolk

Community Beach Park: Can you say GIANT WATER SLIDE? Specifically, a four-story inflatable slide that extends for 170 feet along the shore. Single rides are $3, with a day pass for $25. I've been told the slide can be difficult for the youngest kids to climb so budget in some extra time for that. Lifeguards on duty in the season, picnic shelters available.

East Beach: Still our personal pick for most kid-friendly beach in the area, East Beach has a quiet, residential vibe. The water is shallow and warm, and the breakwaters keep things from getting too rough for the little ones. Perfect for wading, with lots of sandbars to explore at low tide. Restrooms close to some entrances (within the East Beach neighborhood itself).

Ocean View Beach Park: OV Beach Park hosts tons of events through the season, including music and dancing in the pavilion, and the can't-be-missed Crab Fest. Cross the street to visit the Ocean View Station Museum on the ground floor of the Mary D. Pretlow Library for a dash of local history. Lifeguards on duty in the season from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Sarah Constant Beach Park: Visit the memorial to the ship that brought the first English settlers to Jamestown and walk the Ocean View Fishing Pier (their sunsets and their fried oysters are both highly recommended). Lifeguards on duty in the season from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Hampton

Buckroe Beach: Hampton's version of Ocean View -- a bay beach with a strong local vibe. It's a family-friendly beach, with a playground, bandstand, observation pier, and RESTROOMS, along with an enclosed Bark Park for canine friends (though dogs aren't allowed on the beach itself from May to September). Lifeguards are on duty.

Grandview Nature Preserve: This small, off-the-beaten-path bay beach is fine for swimming but especially good for shell hunting and beachcombing. No lifeguards, no restrooms, but a good destination to cool off after hiking some of the park's trails. Pack light -- or you'll end up having to haul all your gear a fair way to reach the beach.

Outlook Beach at Fort Monroe: Surrounded by the bay on all sides, the decommissioned Fort Monroe offers some of the best views of the Chesapeake Bay in the area. The public beach, Outlook Beach, is great for swimming, with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Besides the beach, you can tour the Casemate Museum while at Fort Monroe, or have Sunday brunch at the historic Chamberlain hotel. Or else just walk around the old historic houses (General Lee's old army quarters among them!) and take in views of the Point Comfort lighthouse. Lifeguards are on duty in the season.

Newport News 

Huntington Park Beach: The town's public beach on the James River features a wooden playground, a fishing pier (the longest fishing pier on the East Coast!) and a children's pier that juts out into Lake Biggins. The park itself features a rose garden, and memorials to Vietnam veterans and the Holocaust, and the Virginia War Museum is close by. There's also a boat ramp and snack bar and lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Nearby

Cape Charles Beach (Eastern Shore): This quiet bay beach has a half-mile paved walkway, a beautiful pavilion, volleyball setup, and a town-owned pier to stroll. There are barely any waves, which makes this a great swimming beach for little ones. Getting to Cape Charles won't take too long (it's about an hour from Norfolk), but you will have to pay the $18 toll to cross the Bay Bridge, so plan to carpool or at least spend a little time exploring nearby attractions to get your money's worth out of the trip.

Fossil Beach at York River: This isn't really a swimming type of beach but is beautiful and fascinating all the same. Fossil Beach, a picturesque river beach littered with fossils from the Cenozoic Era, is accessed off of a trail at York River State Park and requires a climb down (and then up) steep steps, so you can't bring much, but should go all the same.

Jamestown Beach Park (James City County): This river beach is shady and beautiful, with picnic tables and a grilling area (the park provides charcoal grills but you can bring your own gas grill if you'd rather). Right next to the Jamestown Ferry, which means it's just a short ride to one of our favorite summer destinations, Bacon's Castle.

Kiptopeke State Park (Eastern Shore): The secluded beach at Kiptopeke is split into two parts: north side for swimming and south side for fishing. It's a beautiful walk over a raised walkway to reach the shore, and once there, you can see the old breakwater made from World War II surplus ships! No lifeguards, so make sure everyone's a strong swimmer. Only three miles north of the Bay Bridge Tunnel, you won't have to spend too long in the car to get there (a big plus with little kids who love to ask if you're there yet).

Yorktown Beach (Yorktown): This tiny river beach is open for boating, swimming, and fishing, and has restrooms and showers and a 10-acre picnic area nearby. The swimming area is small (more like a wading area) but protected. You might catch a glimpse of a tall ship coming by! It's also near the Yorktown Victory Center.


And if you're looking for things to do once you're at the beach, why not try some of our favorites: sandcasting, sea glass hunting, or making some sand clay. To see what we bring in our beach bag, click here.

What's your favorite kid-friendly beach on the list? Let us know in the comments!

IthI I think a milestone in every #HRVA kid's life is the first time they ride the Hampton Carousel. First installed in Buckroe Beach in 1920, and running from April to September, the carousel is kind of a rite of summer passage in these parts and a pretty interesting piece of history, too. It's one of only 180 antique wooden carousels left in the US, a beautiful display of American folk art, and just everything a fairy-tale carousel should be, with oil pantings, bevel mirrors, gilded hooves, music, the works.

Anouk was in love from the first moment she saw it. She spent a long time picking out her favorite horse. As the organ began to play and the carousel began to go she looked a little scared but she soon settled in for the ride and her face, every time it came around, was completely joyous.

For her next ride, though, she chose to sit on the gilded bench, and try as we might to get her to pick another of the intricately carved horses (they are so detailed that the veins stand out in their necks!), she wouldn't budge. A woman walking past with her grandson elbowed me and said, "That bench was my favorite place to sit when I was her age."

For the rest of the summer, the Hampton Carousel is open Monday through Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00 PM and rides are $2 apiece, or $25 for 25. It now stands in Settlers Landing Park, right outside the Virginia Air and Space Center. And speaking of VASC, have you entered this giveaway for a free annual family pass yet? Today's the last day!