Birthday Busyness

A little riddle, what do Carowinds, tennis lessons and a quick trip to Charleston have in common, other than running a mother ragged? Calla's birthday wishes. This year for Calla's birthday, she wanted to go to tennis camp and Carowinds. Well Jeff loved the tennis camp idea, big surprise, and I wanted to go to Carowinds, so we did both! Boy did she play that one right:) It helped that Noah also wanted to go to Carowinds for his birthday (but it wasn't open yet in early April) and grandma had just ordered a season pass. It became a family affair. This was the actual face I made on the ride! I hated it, and I don't use that word lightly. It was my least favorite roller coaster...of all time.The Intimidator I loved, what a smooth, well balanced coaster. You didn't even feel how high it was, great non-scary roller coaster, definitely my favorite.Micah's favorite Peanuts character.Bella's favorite ride, the Carousel.Enjoying the waterpark, Boomerang Bay.

After our day at Carowinds, and I do mean full day (10am-7pm) we recuperated for a weekend and then Calla was off to tennis lessons. She loved the camp and actually did very, very well. With Calla in tennis mode and Wimbledon on every night, our house has been bit by the tennis bug.

Tennis camp drills.

Lastly, we finished off our week with a super quick trip to visit my step-sister and her husband in Charleston, SC. We left on Saturday morning and met Wendy and Jason at Kiawah Beach. After several hours of swim and sun, we headed back to their house to clean up and get some dinner. Then on to downtown for a historic walk through the Battery and Harbor. Finally we made it back to Jason and Wendy's house where we got to celebrate Calla's birthday with cake and ice cream. The next morning we had to leave early to be back for a prior engagement, but not before a few quick games of, what else...TENNIS!! All that attitude for one little girl!Staying out of the sun.Laying out in the sun with Aunt Wendy.Playing in the sand with Uncle Jason.Here it comes...Loving the Harbor, it was a perfect night.

A beautiful morning for tennis.

School's Out It's Time To Shout!

"Summer Vacation"...are there no sweeter words to a child? Well this year Jeff and I felt we all deserved a beach trip to start our summer vacation. So on Thursday afternoon, the kids got off the bus and into the car and off we went. Three hours later (give or take) we were sinking our toes in the sugary sand and watching the sun set over the dunes of Sunset Beach.

The kids couldn't wait to jump in the ocean and swim until the sun went down. When we finally went back to our condo, it was only to grab a wink of sleep and then we were back out at the beach. A bite to eat at Ella's (our all-time favorite Calabash dive) and we were headed to some freshwater (in the form of the resort pool). Then back to the Sunset for our second favorite beach activity...kite flying. But alas, to the utter dismay of the kids, it was not meant to be. For the first time in several years, there was just not enough wind to hold a kite up.

So now what? Well we got about a million photos (actually just over 1300) and then we built a huge sand castle. On Saturday morning, we went to Ocean Isle instead of Sunset Beach. While Sunset Beach is definitely our family's favorite, Ocean Isle is a shell searchers paradise. The kids love finding seashells and there are so many to chose from. We got so many this time, I have a few craft ideas ready to try.

Once we were thoroughly worn out, we hopped in the car to come home. I think we are all still recovering from sleep deprivation and a slight sunburn, some worse than others. Thankfully Nehemiah got barely any sun and is just as fair as ever, and just as bald:) On the last day of school, Calla preformed in a play with her class, she was an adorable ladybug.Calla with our neighbors, Olivia and Arianna.Noah at his Kindergarten graduation ceremony.Noah with his fantastic teacher Ms. Brown.Noah with his good friend Ethan showing off their diplomas.Wake up!!! It's Summer!!!Can't wait to go in. No way!Please take us to the pool.Thank you!Calla took this picture, I believe we have a future photographer on our hands.

Jeff spelled out PEACE in the sand.

A bit ironic huh?Not a care in the world!On our last day, Jeff bought the kids each a body board which they loved! Anybody need a hat?? "Hey, where's she going"?