Catch a wave and you're sittin' on top of the world

A month ago, Claire couldn't swim. Would not even allow her face to go underwater. Not only is she swimming like a fish now, she can also boogie board! How awesome is she! She paddles out, catches a wave and squeals with delight as she rides the wave in to the shore. She and Daddy even rode a few together and would high-5 each other at the crest of the wave. Truly awesome.

Beach Kid

I remember going to the beach in the summers as a child and how much fun it was. I don't remember being too sandy or too hot or too tired. Nor do I remember cousins fighting over Fruit Roll-Ups (which my mom promised is true). I just remember the sunshine and the sand and the water. The non-stop playing outside all day long and the thill of outdoor showers. The BLT sandwiches, watermelons and ice cream. Collecting seashells and playing card games. Summer beach trips are part of my wonderful memories of the best of childhood.

Being on the parent side of that vacation is a new adventure. We spent last week at a wonderful rented beach house on the Isle of Palms. It was a 'stay'cation of sorts for us since we didn't really travel anywhere. But we did pack up and leave our own home to spend the week on the IOP, so it felt as separated as a beach a plane flight away.

We had an absolute ball. Claire made fast friends with her California cousin, Anna, and they were two peas in a pod all week long. Will rented a surf board and taught us all to surf. I even stood up on the board and really surfed. It was awesome and one of those things everyone must do before they die. Put it on your list! The adults had a 'Cousins Night Out' where we went to Fleet Landing for dinner and enjoyed rooftops drinks at Coconut Joe's late into the night. The weather was perfect and we took advantage of all that sunshine. I even taught a Stroller Strides class out on the sand. With up to 19 people in that house at any one time, we enjoyed each others company, got to know each other and each others children better and had lots of laughs!

But being a parent makes the vacation a little more work. Kids don't sleep late yet. Meals must be made. Lifeguarding in the ocean is a must. Showers must be forced upon sandy kids. Cousin squabbles must be officiated. Adult personalities must be blended into a harmonius large family unit. It had its challenges. But watching the kids laugh and play on the beach was so worth it all! And a glass of good Gaddy wine at night and all the adults laughed the night away too.

My kids won't remember any of that other filler either. They will just remember how awesome and fun it was to play at the beach on their summer vacation! Looking forward to doing it again next summer!

Water Day at Stroller Strides

It is hot and humid this SC summer, so I decided to teach a Water Specialty Class for Stroller Strides. Instead of weight balls we used water balloons. For relay races we used buckets of water and big sponges. It was so much fun combining exercise with water play. It felt a lot less like a "work"-out and more like a "fun"-out! We all felt like kids at play - and had one of our biggest laughs at any class when Theresa busted a water balloon directly on herself when doing abs!

We ended up not popping all our water balloons during class, so Claire and I had a huge water balloon fight with the leftovers. I opened the water balloon fight up to everyone as optional, but no moms joined in right away. It wasn't a required part of class but just something fun if interested. Well, come to find out they weren't put off by a water balloon fight. They were just so thrilled watching how Claire and I played together. We were laughing and squealing and chasing each other until our stomachs hurt! And the moms were holding their infant daughters and envisioning their child growing up and playing fun games with them just like Claire and I were playing together. How sweet is that! As a mom you always try to make memories for your children. But in reality it is not the big grand gesture or activity. It is the small everyday laughter in a simple water balloon fight.

SHE CAN SWIM!

At the beginning of the summer, Claire would not put her face underwater. Now she can swim like a beautiful little mermaid! She has even mastered getting toys off the bottom of the pool, a front flip underwater and a cannonball jump! In Morehead City she started practicing her dive! What an amazing improvement in one month! Yeah! We have a swimmer!

Beach Vacation

Claire, JT and I traveled to NC to spend the week with family. We started off in Goldsboro visiting Mama and Frankie. Claire spent her days in Goldsboro at tennis camp learning to play!And Anne dropped in for a few days with baby Davis. He is really developing his adorable little personality! We had a ton of fun with him. Check out those eyelashes~

Then we headed to Morehead City for a long weekend at the beach. What a blast!

Family is the best!

Drive Drive

One of JT's favorite things to do in the world is drive. He wants to sit in the front seat of my car - seatbelt and all - and turn that steering wheel while screaming "Drive! Drive!" Every button will be mashed. The wipers will whirr and the radio will get turned up. He especially likes to turn the heat on in the summertime as hot as it can blow. I even drove around town one hot sunny summer afternoon with my fog lights on because of his special button pushing talent. When it comes time to move on to a new activity he has a death grip on the steering wheel and will scream like I am torturing him! Well, in NC this past week on vacation he finally was tall enough to reach the gas pedal on the red jeep so he could really Drive-Drive. He can't steer but he doesn't care. He runs right into the pinestraw and his plea for help just means turn him around. Watch him go!

True Artist

Claire has always loved art. Art is her thing! She even says when she grows up she wants to be an artist. Well, we spent all afternoon yesterday decorating both her bike and JT's car for the 4th of July neighborhood parade. With her new red and white striped dress on, she pedaled past the judges.....and WON! She was the big winner for the bike category. Awesome. She is very proud of her new ribbon that says "winner" and she is ready to go to Target to find her prize with her $10 gift card. Whooo hooo! Happy 4th of July!

Claire decorated JT's car too. He usually LOVES to drive-drive. But today with all the crowd he was a little hesitant to get in and join the parade. A little donut is all he needed to put this big smile on his face!

Reality of Home

Some silly pics of the kids caught in real life action! If you notice Claire's clothes seem a little tight - they are! She is wearing JT's size 2T outfit. And little man J likes to climb in the sink and brush his teeth. Of course, they both like to talk on the phone!

I love the reality of home. Such a safe place to be yourself and be loved just the way you are. Whatever your weird quirks or silly habits, they are always welcome at home. And family just loves you more for them!