Our Last Day {OIB Day 6}

What a week we have had. It feels like it has gone by even faster than in years past. It has also felt less relaxing, but maybe even more fun (result of having two water-loving kids, perhaps?).

Sissies ready for the pool

Unfortunately, our weather for the last day was a little dreary. There was no rain, but lots and lots of clouds. The girls didn't seem to mind.

 

We tried to pack in both the pool and beach for our last day. We had dinner reservations at the Sugar Shack at 5:30, so we needed to be back at the house by 4:00 to shower and be ready to go. 

And here is Harper at 3:58. Running out the clock and trying to get every last second out of her time at the beach.

 She is just so precious.  I mean, this face, this smile is why we came to the beach.

 

It is why we packed up three-quarters of our house (I mean, I didn't even know it was possible to fill from the third row back of a Yukon XL, but apparently it is, and it only takes the Fertittas going to the beach for a week.).  It is why we then dragged that three-quarters of a house to the beach-- umbrellas, four beach chairs, four towels, sand toys, coolers, flotation devices, it goes on and on and on.  It is why we got up early, stayed up late, and played hard all day.  And why we got sand in nearly everything we took.  It is because we love our girls, and there is nothing better than seeing this joy on their faces.  This calm in their heart.  It certainly makes mine overflow.

While Harper was busy maximizing every last second of our beach week, Willa Kate was off dreaming it away.

Willa sleeping on the beach

 Baby Girl knew we had a big dinner ahead, and wanted to be well rested for all that eating!  I have again been amazed at how well these little ladies eat.  Throughout the week, they ate flounder, crab, shrimp, ribs, steak, you name it, they tried it.  (Whose kids are these?!  I'm so glad they aren't just chicken-eaters like their mama.)  

The girls and me on our last night at the beach

Two cutie pies ready for dinner

Sam went to the Sugar Shack with his buddies during their annual Spring golf trip to Myrtle Beach, and he declared that it was a "must have" for our family beach week.  While I just got a grilled chicken salad, the girls and the rest of the family got some huge portions of different foods, and everyone went home full and happy.

 

Mommy-Daughter Morning & the Pyramid {OIB Day 5}

There is no doubt in my mind that this is what I will miss most about the beach.

Buggy Babies

I am flat out in love with these slow and quiet mornings with my girls. It is no question the thing my heart will miss the most when we get back to the busyness and heaviness of real life. Mornings together with no clock.

Who could resist this little face saying, "dot dog peeeeese, dot dog peeeeese?"

"Cheeeeeeeze!"

No rules or menu. (Yes, that is Willa eating a gas station hot dog for breakfast. And yes, that is chocolate milk poured into a giant gas station cup. Stop judging.)

No hurry or agenda, just me with my girls.

Though Harper has been at the house still asleep with Sam both of the mornings that I took Wills out for a few hours, she got to join us today. Sam and Jeremy went to golf, so we snuck out together. 

So Wills and I showed Harper our morning routine of the gas station and Food Lion. And on the way back to the house, we stopped in at the cutest little playground beside the museum in Ocean Isle Beach. It was clean, new, and made up of sand underfoot, so the girls loved it.

     

So did I. 

 How nice it was to talk with other vacationing moms while our little ones ran and laughed. 

 But what was most fun was taking the time to really play with my daughters, not just watch them play. 

Rocking the "spider" swing

I have had so much fun this week, reliving my childhood through these experiences that are brand new to my four-year-old. Swinging "spider" style. Playing "sharks and minnows" in the water. What wonderful memories I have of my growing up years, ones with my family and my best friend sister. Seeing how much these little things stand out in my mind 25 years later makes me even more determined to recreate them for my girls. And it also makes me realize that these little memories weren't actually things at all, they were experiences.  They were games. They were jokes. They were time. And I hope that is what my babies will remember, too.

 I want them to remember that Mommy was fun and ran until she was dizzy, spinning them on the tire swing; that she watched proudly as she slid down the pole all by herself on the first try; that Mommy noticed when the baby climbed the stairs and went down the slide on her own. I hope they feel that. And I hope I become more intentional about doing just that at home.

  

We did get to have Sydney's little party tonight, and decided to go for a walk on the Pier to finish off the special day. After Harper overheard us deliberating between getting ice cream or going to the pier, we began to hear excited cries for going to the "pyramid!"  It took the others a little while to figure out that Harper was really talking about the pier. I don't think she was too disappointed about it not being an actual pyramid. :)

 I really tried to enjoy the breeze and sounds of the ocean from the pier, but to be honest, I just couldn't. Not with two preschoolers walking around next to railings with huge gaps and large waves beneath us. Most days I feel like I'm a laid back mom (see hot dog eating for breakfast above).  And then there are many times that I become almost panicked at the possibility of peril around my children. I could not enjoy a single second out on that pier with Willa crying to walk over to the edge. I think a lot of it stems from seeing two friends with children who went to Heaven unexpectedly. It is one of those things that would "never happen to you" or "never happen to someone you love," and then it does. It does happen and you see the real devastation that accompanies such an unnatural loss, and you just get overwhelmed by the possibility. Every time I let my mind get panicked and I allow that sick feeling to creep into my stomach, I pray for my friends walking this earth with an incomplete family. I ache for them and ask God for peace for them. And as paranoid as it may be, I only stayed on the pier for five minutes before bringing everyone inside.

 I love these two sweet blessings I've been given. Thank you, Lord, that they are healthy and here with me. I truly could not ask for anything more.

Pajama Picnic and Gerald the Turtle {OIB Day 3}

This week has made a joke of Willa's sleep cycle.  She's been trying to hang with the big girls, and that has meant short naps and late nights.  It caught up with her yesterday, and when I laid her down for a late nap around 4:45, she didn't wake up until morning.  Although it was so nice having that quiet evening with her asleep, it meant for an early 6 a.m. wake up call when she popped out of her pack 'n play, holding her blanket and saying "mommy done.  mommy done."  She was grinning so sweetly, so I scooped her still in her pajamas, and we left for a little adventure while the rest of the house was asleep.

We went through Hardee's for a quick Diet Coke (for me) and a biscuit (for Wills), and we drove to the next town over, Sunset Beach for a little breakfast picnic.  When I went over the bridge, I could see a parking area for the Pier, so we went walking on the beach together.  Willa has been feeding the ducks at the Duck Pond in Salem with Rachel, Granny, and Mimi at home, so when she saw the birds, she kept saying "duh," and trying to throw her biscuit to them.  Well, next thing you know, a flock of birds comes flying in, and I'm pretty sure one started trying to be a little aggressive.  Even making eye contact.  And staring at the biscuit in Willa Kate's hand while moving closer.  The mom in me could picture us being pecked to death, so I panicked and threw the rest of the biscuit, still in its wrapper, to those happier-than-ever birds.

Oh, how I wish I could have caught how sweet that little girl looked in the morning light with her jammie bottoms rolled up, barefoot on the beach.  As much as I wanted to sleep, it was so nice to have the quiet time on a nearly empty beach to soak up her chubby-cheeked little smiles without big sister (and her big personality) to share the time and attention.

We spent the day between the pool and the beach, and went out to dinner at Sharky's.  On our way in on Saturday, we passed a few people gathered around a giant turtle (think a 200 lb. beast with kids riding it).  Harper was so disappointed to miss it, since we were on our way to the house for the first time, but we were thrilled to see that he was back on our way over to the restaurant.  The wait at Sharky's was about an hour, so we packed back up to wait it out in the company of the turtle.

Our Harper girl is such a Dr. Dolittle.  Her little heart beats fast for animals, and her face did not disappoint when we got to see the giant turtle.  She may be wild, but her reactions are priceless, always filled with wonder.  She was so excited to kiss Gerald the Turtle and ride on his back.  There are times I think there is not a bit of fear in her body.

But, oh tender-hearted, cautious Willa Kate.  Not a fan.  While we couldn't pull Harper away from "Gerry" even long enough for others to take pictures of their children without a random four-year-old girl photobombing them, our sweet Wills activated panic face as soon as she figured out we were putting her on his back.  It was hilarious. (Am I allowed to say that?)  Harper kissing sissy, and her having a meltdown.  Thank you, Lord, for these sweet memories.