This morning we all woke up slow; and being that we never do that, it
was lovely. After a 5 AM wakeup call, it seemed like our day would be
starting very early. But you boys climbed back into our bed, snuggled up, and
slept another two hours. Once awake, we stayed in bed hanging out for
another hour or so - I don't know that you boys have ever let us do
that! It was fabulous!
Once out of bed and out of our room, we found out Nenny, Papa Donnie,
and Boo were needing to head home early. They had already been down a
week before the whole family had joined them and it was time for them to
get home. So, we sadly said goodbye, offered a quiet prayer for safe travels and comfort, and headed downstairs to make tie dye shirts. Outside, it
was another stormy day, while inside it was another rowdy day of 6 boys
running around, meltdowns peeking for all kiddos.
By noon, it was still raining, so we attempted naptime. Of course the
sun came out at this exact time. We scratched the naps and raced to the
pool for an hour and half or so, before yet another thunderstorm rolled
in.
Our five headed out around four for an early dinner and some family
time. Once dinner was over, we walked around and you boys both kept
proclaiming, "I wanna play somethin', mom! Can we play somethin'?"
Across the street from us was a pirate putt putt course. So, on a whim,
we took you to play putt putt for your first time! You were both
ecstatic and LOVED it! Ry, you continue to take after me. You want to
win at whatever cost it takes, including cheating, and then loudly
celebrating each time the ball hit the hole like you really earned it.
Wiley, like your daddy, you quietly and skillfully got the ball in the
hole with a simple little celebration. Charleigh, you enjoyed yourself
too, but got a little lazy on us towards the end and fell asleep.
After our game, we headed back to the Beach Castle for our final night
here. It has been such a nice week for our family, but I think we are
all anxious to get back home now.
Today started with a fun surprise...last night, a turtle had laid her eggs right near our tents. She laid them fairly close to the rising shoreline and they were going to need moving. So, bright and early, the Turtle Patrol group was out in the sand, digging up and moving the eggs back about 20 yards. We got to watch as all 88 eggs were carefully lifted out and placed in a bucket. Then the hole was carefully measured and exactly replicated to where the eggs were being moved.
Once the turtles were moved, we quickly headed home to finish breakfast and get ready for the beach. The sun was out and we wanted to soak it up! Today, we all had a little fun boogie boarding. Wiley, you've been a little more timid this year compared to last, but that was gone today and your daredevil self was back! At one point, you rode one wave that was probably a little too big for you and it flipped you feet over head, over the front of your boogie board. A little shaken up, but you hopped right up and were ready to keep going. Ry, you've decided the beach is okay and you don't mind playing in the sand, but you'd rather be swimming in the pool.
After naps, it was almost time for Daddy and I to get ready for date night, but we had promised the pool after naps. Ryan and Wiley, you and I headed down and had the pool nearly to ourselves. The bravery in the pool continued and you spent most of the time without life jackets on. Daddy and Charleigh joined us for a little while too.
Daddy and I were thankful for a night out together to celebrate eight years of marriage. Charleigh, you tagged along while your brothers stayed to play with cousins. We realized as we were driving to dinner, that it was on this date last year that your Daddy and I played the what if / name game..."But what if we get pregnant...and what if it's a girl...what are some names we like?" There we were, wishing, hoping, and brainstorming names for an impossible pregnancy, not even knowing we were already two weeks pregnant with you, Squish! And now, here you are, one year later on that same anniversary date with us; God is so awesome!
After a nice dinner, we came home just in time to stroll to the beach with all the cousins to release a crab, have some ice cream, and play a quick game of Twister. Our week is just flying by - today was another great day of vacation and more memories made!
Today was the first day we all slept in (and by sleeping in, I mean 6:30!). It was another rainy, gray day and I could feel the cabin fever starting to creep in (it was too early to already be fussing at cooped up, hyper little boys because...well, who could blame you! I was feeling it too!).
Around 8:30, we decided to head to the beach to enjoy some time down there for as long as the rain would hodl off (and we ended up getting a solid two hours in down there!). You all enjoyed burying Nenny in the sand, getting buried again yourselves, blowing giatn bubbles, and playing in the ocean. A quick downpour sent us packing and heading home for lunch and nap. While rinsing off, we heard the ice cream truck. It was the perfect day for what seems to be our tradition now - one day of ice cream for lunch! After some Batman and Ninja Turtle ice cream, we snuggled up for a nap (you all are doing so much better this year and passing out pretty quickly down here).
Nearing two hours into your nap, I snuck in to snuggle up and wake you boys up...the sun was shining and it was time to jump in the pool! We spent the afternoon swimming and you boys stepped up the bravery level. Vests were off and you were jumping off of the steps and practicing your swimming.
We headed back to the house to unwind (Wiley, we snuck away for beach time again! You are our beach baby and definitely prefer it to the pool), eat some dinner, and then take some pictures of you three on the beach.We sure adore you three munchkins and so cherish these family memories we are making.
My morning started bright and early, somewhere between 4:30 and 4:45, Gulf Shores' time. So, I headed back to the beach for some quiet reading. Once back at the house, and breakfast on the porch, a thunderstorm had moved in. Since the morning would be spent trapped indoors, we offered to make the grocery run for our floor's night to cook.
Even though it was only 10:30, you boys conked out on the drive. I stayed in the car to let you snooze, while Daddy grabbed the groceries...and what a crazy 30 minutes we had!! Little Miss, you had a major blowout...and Mommy made a rookie move, forgetting diapers!
Once finally home, laundry going, and lunch made, we headed to the pool for a bit, before another storm rolled in. The cousins all cuddled up for The Lion King and some time to unwind...which didn't last more than 20 minutes. After being cooped up all day, things got a little rowdy - but what can you expect with five boys between the ages of 3 and 7, and two younger tag along shadows! Wiley, after asking all day, and once the rain had stopped, you and I were able to sneak away for some quick, one-on-one time down at the beach.
After dinner, Daddy and Aunt Callie helped occupy the boys by taking you all upstairs to bake cookies. Even though it was an ugly day weather-wise, it was still another great day of vacation.
I have to say though, the highlight of my day, may have been the final two hours of the day. I got to do bedtime with you boys tonight - usually a challenging task. Tonight, it was beyond peaceful. Listening to quiet music, you quickly drifted off while I was able to pray you boys and your life, as well as for your Daddy and I - that we would continue to follow God's lead in all our parenting decisions. Sneaking out of your room, I continued a peaceful evening of prayer and reflection on the beach. I feel like I'm in such a sappy and sentimental stage of my life right now, but I just adore our life and these memories we are making. I desperately want to press pause and soak it all up because before I know it these moments will be gone. Today was a good day, Little Ones, and I'm so thankful for all we have.
Even though it had been such a long day yesterday, we all were up pretty early (5:30 Gulf Shores' time, 6:30 our bodies' time( and ready to start our first full day of vacation. Wiley, you and I enjoyed an early morning walk on the beach. We went back home for more oranges to munch on and found Ry awake. The three of us headed back out for part two of our walk. After you boys pooped out from "too much walking," you went back home to see Daddy, while I enjoyed some quiet church time on the beach. Not a bad way to start our vacation.
Once back at the house, we began the long process of getting everyone ready for the beach. You three boys headed down first around 8:00, while I stayed behind to wait for Charleigh to wake up. By 10 AM, the five of us were all on the beach, along with the rest of the family. We spent the morning jumping waves, building sand castles, and burying babes before heading in for lunch and naptime around 11:00.
After lunch and a quick book, all four of us (Daddy, skipping out) enjoyed a much needed nap. (What a fabulous adjustment to last year when not one nap was had the entire week!)
Once we were all up, it was back out to the pool. You boys were pretty fearless last year, but even more so this year! Jumping in without anyone to catch you, going under with no problem, and swimming around the entire pool. Ry, you took your life jacket off and jumped off the side to me, loved hanging onto the ladder and going under, and practiced swimming a bit to the ledge. You don't much like taking the life jacket off, but if you keep it up, you may just be swimming without it by the end of the summer. You even learned how to float today, little guppies!
Once back home it was time to wind down, a few quite minutes on the beach just me and you three, dinner, and an easy bedtime. Today was jam packed and everything a vacation day should be. For now, it is time to sleep though because tomorrow, we do it all over again!
