Last Day at the Beach

We have had a fantastic week at the beach. I can't believe we have to go home tomorrow!

The weather has cooperated with us as well. Yesterday we did have a bit of rain in the morning so we headed off to the Coastal Discovery Museum. We weren't really sure what to expect, but we liked the free admission!



When we got there, it looked like if it hadn't been raining, there would have been lots to see and do outside. But inside we had fun looking at the exhibits and doing the "kids" activities.

Like coloring...



... and doing puzzles...



... and reading the books...



and we learned that the little holes in the beach are caused by "ghost shrimp." That was worth the trip for us!

When we were done, the rain had moved out and the boys played a quick game of tag...



After lunch we went to the pool at our place and the boys played for quite a while. And in the evening we took a walk on the beach and watched two girls with their body boards surfing in the waves while dolphins swam not 10 feet from them. It was really cool.

This morning, we got all ready to go to the beach. Rich bought Josh a body board at the store this morning so we were very excited to try it out!



... and we got to the beach and there was not a breath of a wind and notice behind Josh, the crashing waves... or lack thereof...



So, a quick game of beach cricket...



And the excitement of the body board was just too much, despite the lack of waves....



And the boys did their best.



Josh was in there for about an hour. He did really well in the end, despite not having many waves.

Now we're getting ready for one last dip in the pool, a barbecue for dinner and then we're heading up to Shelter Cove to see Shannon Tanner on our last night here.

We're off tomorrow, but it's been a fantastic vacation!

Wordless Wednesday: Surf & Turf (and pool)

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Playing at the Beach

When at the beach, go for a walk in the morning before breakfast.

Come back to the house and have left over pizza for breakfast.... Pizza for breakfast???? Well, we are on holiday!

Fly a kite on the beach...

Play in the surf...

... hey look! Proof I was on vacation!

Look for sea shells...

Play in the sand...

Drive a "Sand Boat/Rocket Ship" Thingy----

... And that was just the first morning!

The afternoon we spent lounging around and swimming in the pool at our cottage.

Needless to say, we had a few tired people in the house!

More pictures here.

You know what's fun?

Getting all ready for vacation.

Packing the car up and psyching yourself up for the journey, and then your Father-in-law notices a screw sticking out of your BRAND NEW TIRES.

So, we detoured to the Firestone dealer. Thankfully the screw didn't puncture the tire. In fact, it barely was in there -- more lodged in the tread. But they checked the tire pressure for us and we were on our way.

4 hours later we were at the beach.....

Wordless Wednesday: Swimming with Daddy

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Take Me Out to the Ball Game

I'm a bit behind on my posts, sorry! My in-laws are here for the next three weeks so between entertaining them, sorting out "last week of school" activities... well, let's just say I'm a bit behind.

Anyway, on Sunday we went to another Braves game. Again, we had a great time! Our seats were in the same place as they were last time, so we knew they'd be great!

We got to "The Ted" a bit early and had hot dogs,

we saw Homer walking around...

And had time to go shopping before hand. The boys HAD to have another a big hand.

Here are Nanny and Grandad giving me the finger modeling them...

We were there really quite early and had lots of time before the game to run around and look at stuff...

watch the ground crew (with backwards binoculars -- I guess we were so close Sam wanted to feel farther away!)

I love this picture of Josh and Rich

This time we only lasted 3 innings. But, we were there much earlier than before hand. It was lots of fun and very tiring...

Just like last time, the Braves won and just like last time...

Sam fell asleep on the way home.

Elmo Visit's Story Time for a Cause

Last week we had a special Story Time Celebration.

It was the annual Miss Mary Birthday Celebration.

Every year on her birthday, she has a huge party with cake and gifts for the kids.

It's always a huge celebration, but this year's celebration was fantastic!

For the first time ever, she shared her birthday celebration. And she shared it with a wonderful little girl and for a great cause.

Meet Faith.

Faith and her family live in our neighborhood. She is an absolutely adorable girl and she has Cystic Fibrosis. Faith and her family were raising money for the Atlanta Area Great Strides Walk-a-thon that took place this weekend.

As part of the birthday celebration, and to help raise money for "Team Faith." there was a very special visitor. Elmo was there!

The Story Time event was a huge success, there were over 300 moms, dads and kids there and Team Faith raised over $400 from this event alone and $7500 total.

Sam was very excited all day about seeing Elmo. Every where we went that morning, he told people about seeing Elmo. We even got Miss Mary an Elmo birthday balloon. And when the time came for his picture, he was beside himself with excitement....

For more information on Cystic Fibrosis or to make a donation, please click here.

Rain, Rain, Come and Play!

Today I proved my worth as a mother.

I let fun come first.

I let spontaneity rule.

I let my kids go outside and play in the rain.



Sometimes you just have to let them be kids. I remember going out and splashing in puddles and playing outside.

It seems like kids these days, or my kids anyway, don't get to go out and play like they used to.

I'm an Army Brat and was raised on Army Posts. There were always packs of kids of all ages roaming around looking for "the new kids."

We played in the rain, we played in the snow, we ran around outside until the street lights came on.

So today when Josh came home from school and wanted to run around in the puddles, I let him.



Sam didn't like it so much but he really wanted to be outside.





Josh, the future engineer and/or scientist was conducting experiments by taking rocks and building dams. He wanted to change the course of the water.



He was so busy running around, he would barely stand still for a photo. Here, he's looking at the water move his rocks.

He was talking about how strong the current was to move the rocks. And how "the rocks have to pile up to change the flow of the water" (yes, he used those words, the kid amazes me).



In the end, we had to come in because they were soaked to the bone and Sam was cold....



Josh was not happy, he would have stayed out all day. But Sam was cold and coming in.



Now they are both bathed and playing nicely together (shhh! I didn't say that!)

Wordless Wednesday: Apple Challenge -- or "Look Ma! No teeth!"

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