Gearing Up for Back-to-School

This week we've been gearing up for school. I can hardly believe they start back on Monday, but since there is nothing I can do to change that fact, we've been embracing it.  I signed Harper and Hudson up for a soccer camp this week.  It forced us to get out the door first thing and they both were really excited about it.  The camp is taught by British soccer players and they made it a really fun week for the kids.

This week Handley also did cheer camp in the evenings.  She was trilled to be awarded the spirit stick on the first night of camp.

She got to decorate it and put her on stamp on it before taking it back the next day.

When I wasn't driving someone to and from camp I was making the rounds trying to find every school supply on each of the lists.  That, of course, included multiple trips to multiple stores to find just the right item.

Meet and Greet was yesterday and the girls got to meet their new teachers.  They both seem really wonderful!

Harper knows a few of the boys in her class and is excited to meet new friends this year. Handley was beside herself with excitement when she learned that she and her BFF ended up in the same class together.  :-) I couldn't be happier for both of them and I just can't wait to see what this year has in store for us.

Beach Trip {Day 4 & 5}

While on our vacation we ate out a few nights and one night we knew we wanted to eat at Dockside, one of our favorites right on the water.

We love being able to see the boats come and go as we eat and we always take a walk out onto the dock after dinner to check out the boats up close.

On our last day of vacation we soaked up last much fun in the sun as we possibly could.  The kids kept saying they wished we lived at the beach and I have to say I agreed with them.   I don't know what it is about being near the ocean, but I just love the coastal-Carolina vibe that this town exudes.  It brings back so many memories of my childhood spent on this beach and I love that I'm able to share it with my kids today.  

The girls collected shells all week long. We just kept putting them into a bucket, but since we were heading home the next morning we washed them all really well outside with the hose and I sent the girls on the porch to have them dry. I was expecting they would just dump them out and spread them out a little bit.  When I went out to check on them I was shocked by how organized they were.  They were SO proud of their collections and have many plans for them at home.  

Late that afternoon a storm rolled in and it was the only rain we had all week.  We could not have had better luck with the weather.  After dinner the storm had passed and at the girls were excited because it meant they could go on one last walk with Mimi and pick up just a few more shells, too!).  They are sporting their new t-shirts, which was what they both picked out as their souvenir from WINGS earlier in the week. :-)

We had a wonderful week and were all sad to go home, but with school right around the corner, it was time for us to head back.  I'm so thankful my kids love the beach as much as I do and I'm already looking forward to our next beach trip!

Beach Trip {Day 3}

We pretty much stuck to the same routine each day.  We'd sleep in a bit, get ready, head to the beach for a few hours and then stop by the pool for a little bit before we were ready to take a break from the sun.

I was amazed by how well Hudson was doing swimming all week long.  He has come such a long way this summer.  Here we were hanging by the pool late afternoon (and if you can't tell, he is all into making funny faces for pictures now).

After our day in the sun the girls got showered and cleaned up so we could go souvenir shopping.  We were all matchy-matchy in our Lilly for Target.

My girls spent over an hour going through WINGS trying to decide on what they wanted for themselves and their friends.  It was exhausting, but fun at the same time!

After dinner we went down to the beach to fly kites!  The kids always want to fly their kites at home, but it is so rare for us to have a day that is windy enough.  They all go the kites up (with some assistance) right away.  Hudson lost interests and preferred rolling in the sand and chasing sea gulls to flying the kite, but it was still a super fun evening!

Beach Trip {Day 2}

On our first full day we enjoyed sleeping in a bit and then got ready right away for the beach.  You'd think that would mean throwing on swimsuits and heading out the door. But, you'd be wrong.  It always takes longer than expected and although the kids were itching to get out there, I had to pack lunches, get the cooler ready, get everyone's sunscreen on, gather the beach toys we would use that day, make sure I had everyone's hats and sunglasses in my beach bag and a million other things.  I know all of the moms are nodding their head in agreement because we all do it, right?

By the time we finally got to the beach the kids were thrilled.  I sat in my chair and soaked up the sweet view in front of me.  I watched them play and play and play.  Seriously they had the best time and that continued all week long.  They hunted for shells, swam, we built sandcastles, boogie boarded and loved every second of the beautiful weather and gorgeous beach.

Harper could have spent the entire week in the sand hunting for shells.  If she kept up with the rate she was going on, there wouldn't have been any shells left by the end of the week.  

Hudson spent most of his day "surfing" like the other people he saw out in the ocean.  So many times he would get knocked over and tumble under a wave and I would hold my breath.  But he got up every time with a smile on his face and went right back for more.

Handley was the brave one who did it all.  She found shells, swam, dug holes and boogie boarded the day away.

After spending the day in the sun we got cleaned up and were ready for dinner.  We met up with all of my extended family that was in town and it was so nice to see everyone.  I did not take one picture at dinner, but did snap a few ahead of time on the porch before we left.

The kids were loving having Mimi and Dadaw with us all week long.  We don't see them often, but the times we do see them are wonderful!

Beach Trip {Day 1}

Last week we spent at the beach and had the absolute best time.  We went to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.  This is the beach I grew up going to and it is where my parents and a lot of my extended family live now.  So, not only did we get to enjoy the beach, but we also got to visit family, which was an added bonus!

The kids did pretty well in the car, but they asked at least 100 times if we were almost there and we made it about 4 minutes before they started asking for snacks.

We made our regular road-trip stop at Zaxby's for lunch (it's always our go-to) and arrived at the condo late afternoon.  We were so excited to see the boats, the water, and the welcome to Wrightsville Beach sign when we arrived.

The kids immediately put on their swimsuits and were ready to go swimming.  Since it was later in the day we decided to forgo the beach this day and just stick by the pool, but we still had a gorgeous view of the dunes, sand and ocean.

They had so much fun swimming, playing in the water with my Dadaw and Uncle Cameron, and we even ordered pizza at the pool so that the fun didn't have to stop. It was a great start to our vacation and the fun just got better as the week went on.  Be sure to check back tomorrow to read more about our trip. I'll be sharing all about it all week long!

Hudson's Ninja Turtle Birthday Party

On Saturday we celebrated Hudson's birthday with a few of his closest friends.  He had been talking about a Ninja Turtle party for months so a Ninja Turtle party is what he got.

I was able to score a ton of Ninja Turtle action figures from someone for super cheap, so they doubled as a gift for Hudson and decoration for the table.  The also turned into entertainment of the kids when they weren't eating.

We had his party at an indoor trampoline park and all of the kids loved it.  It was the perfect place for them to practice all of their ninja moves.

Pizza and cake were up next.  Hudson fist blew out the candles as soon as they set the cake in front of him so they had to re-light and let him blow them out again after we sang "Happy Birthday."

For party favors the kids got Ninja Turtle Pez and nunchucks that I made out of pool noodles. They were a big hit!