Two Crazy Girls with Three Crazy Boys

I'm friends with one of our previous neighbors who lived two houses down from our old house. We've always talked about taking a weekend trip together, and we finally did it! Our husbands had to work, but that didn't deter us from heading to Myrtle Beach for some fun.  We packed ourselves, my two boys, and her son into her car and drove the 3-1/2 hours to the beach. We were blessed to stay at her mom's beach condo, which was like a home away from home.

We arrived a bit late the first night, and after having a long drive followed by restless kids at a restaurant for dinner, we attempted nothing but unpacking, getting settled, and going to bed.  The next morning Cooper stayed true to form and couldn't wait to get outside. So Tammy was gracious and took Cooper and Braden outside to feed the ducks.

Cooper was obviously enjoying it.

Here, ducky-ducky!

Except for a few moments like this, the boys fought almost every minute they were together (meaning awake). That part was exhausting (and embarrassing for me, since Cooper can sometimes be so darn competitive with his friends about EVERYTHING). But we still made some good memories and had a lot of fun.

Despite the forecast for rain, we headed off to get a llittle sand and sea between our toes. Hudson loved playing in the sand. Wearing a hat...not so much.

Cooper was in heaven.

We headed back for lunch, and to avoid the rain, and the boys played in a fort under the dining table for a bit.

After it finally quit raining we headed out for a walk. Hudson hadn't napped yet, and I carried him in the baby carrier, trying to get him to fall asleep. Ha! Too much new stuff to see.

We walked along the boardwalk near the waterway, and then around the condo grounds, despite the light drizzle.

The next day was raining again, but we headed to the beach anyway. It was a perfect day for lots of boogie boarding and body surfing.

We played in the sand and the tidal pools too.

Tammy was so sweet to either take Coop out in the water with Braden, or play with Hudson on the beach so I could spend time in the water with Cooper. Huddy loves Miss Tammy, and even calls her "Mama."

Can I eat this sand, please?

Awful selfie, but proof that I was there.  I tried to put down the camera for most of the trip, and just enjoy, so I didn't get many pictures.

We could have stayed at the beach for days and days, but we wanted to experience the amusement rides of North Myrtle Beach. Coop didn't remember going on any rides before, so this was a totally new and exciting adventure for him.

I took Braden and Cooper on the big ferris wheel. Braden had been on it many times, but this was a real first for Coop. He was pretty scared.

Braden was all smiles.

Coop tried to be brave.  It was a beautiful view of the beach and the big, pink full moon. I enjoyed the ride, especially going with Coop.

Tammy and Hudson waited for us, and Huddy looked for us every time we went by.

Cooper got to ride lots of other kiddie rides.

The view from the ferris wheel.

A bad picture of the gorgeous big moon.

Coop was both excited and nervous on the Tilt-a-whirl. Wish I could have gone with him, but the rides were crazy expensive.

Hudson was too little to go on any rides, but he sure wanted to!

Ahhh--the swings.

This was the biggest, craziest ride Coop went on. I couldn't believe he actually did it. Our little boy is growing up.

By the end of the night the boys were like two little zombies. It was such a late night for them.  It was almost 11 by the time we headed home.

One crazy story: As we were leaving Tammy bought a funnel cake to give to some elderly neighbors who are so sweet and helpful at the condo. She dropped it just as we got to the car, and as we both turned to pick it up, it had miraculously landed on the plate. Crazy!

My favorite part of the trip was staying up chatting with her until 2 am that night. We could have talked all night, but finally called it quits, just praying that my boys wouldn't get up at their usual 6:30 am. They slept until 7. Ha!

The following day we had to feed the ducks one more time. Hudson was excited, but then a little scared.

He did enjoy it though.

One cool kid.

Look at those moves...

...and muscles!

Such a great weekend with my boys

And our friends.

Thank you, Tammy and Braden for such a fun couple of days!

Summertime Play

What time we don't spend at the pool in the summer, we spend playing in the water in the yard. We've had a lot of fun having friends over to play. This particular day Cooper was playing with his friend, Ryan. Yes, that is Cooper sporting the sprinkler like a you-know-what. He's all boy--even down to the disgusting and annoying bathroom humor.

This was one of his first days playing without a shirt on. ;)

Water? Oh yeah!

Where Cooper is, Hudson is not far behind.

Hudson loves to play with the water too.

I just love his curly hair.

Memorial Day on the Outer Banks

We spent Memorial Day weekend visiting Nate's family on the Outer Banks. I think we hadn't even been there 5 minutes yet when Coop asked for a golf cart ride.

Hudson and I joined them and enjoyed the scenery of the Sound.

A beautiful summer storm was making its way toward us over the water. It was breathtaking.

Golf cart riders!

We spent Saturday at the Salter Path ball park for the Salter Path Heritage Festival. Hudson and Poppy hung out for a bit.

The boys both loved the bounce houses

We ate us some yummy shrimp burgers with Abby and the girls.

Hudson was hot and tired.

Haleigh, her friend, and Stella eating hot dogs.

They had a great band playing all day. Hudson and I danced in the infield to a song or two.

That night Cooper and I went on a mother and son date to the beach. He was excited to play in the sand.

I showed him how to write in the sand, and he wrote his name--in an exact mirror image. What a kid.

  The next day we went out on the boat in the Sound with Poppy and Mema.

Coop was all about wanting to jump off the boat into deep water. (check out Hudson in the background--not quite deep enough!)

We pulled up to a little sandbar island beach and had lunch and played. The boys love their grandparents and the water, so they were in heaven!

Huddy's life jacket was a wee-bit too big. On the way home he fell asleep on my lap, head nearly all the way inside it. Guess he was cozy! I enjoyed the boat, but just tried hard not to get seasick.

Cooper got to drive the boat for a bit. You better believe he LOVED it!

A very tired Hudson with his Mema.

Back at the house, after napping, Hudson had a great time playing with Mema's vacuum attachment. Vacuums are one of his favorite things to play with.

Sweet baby and his Mema, snuggling and tired.

We always love visiting Poppy and Mema, even without the golf cart, the beach, and the boat!

But you gotta go for one last golf cart ride with your cousin, especially if she's driving.

Love you, Stella!

Pre-School 2013-2014

I don't know who was more excited for the end of school, me or Cooper. School ended May 22nd, and that meant summer was just around the corner.

He was excited for his last day of 3 year old preschool.

Cooper's teacher, Ms. Christy, was amazing. At the first part of the school year Cooper had a really hard time staying seated, not talking, and staying focused. She mentioned these things to me briefly, but said she had 5 very active, high-energy boys of her own, and she had some ideas of how to help him learn. Well, she clearly did, and Cooper loved her. He was very sad to find out that he probably won't see Ms. Christy again because I'm moving him to a different school next year. But I am so thankful that she was his teacher this year, she was truly amazing.

Here is Coop on his first and last day of preschool this year. Grow up much? He went from a baby to a kid!