SSI - King & Prince

Well, the BP Oil Spill sent us to St. Simons this year for our annual "Destin" trip with the Wilsons. Although we missed our friends, favorite restaurants, white beaches and blue/green water, we had a wonderful time, and the travel time was cut in half -- The cousins loved spending the week together!

Saturday: Arrival

One of my favorite parts of a vacation is opening the door to the condo/room, etc and casing the place out. We had a wonderful balcony with a view of the ocean...so relaxing (I Love sleeping with the balcony door open and falling asleep to the waves). After unpacking and settling ourselves in we enjoyed the traditional "pizza night" at Doc & Cha Cha's condo.

Sunday: The "Real" 1st Day

The adults enjoyed late morning brunch at the King & Prince - wow, I have never seen so many food options! Brynna was in charge of all the cousins back at her condo, ages, 13, 8, 6, 3 & 2! As we rolled out of the restaurant, we headed back to the condos, fed the kids and then it was time for a nap.

Later that afternoon, we headed to the pool. LG & Brynna enjoyed the indoor "hot" pool, while MJ stayed in the outdoor pool jumping to "Waw" and Josh.

That night LG lost a tooth...her 8th one! The tooth fairy had trouble finding LG, since she was at the beach (yeh, I think we all know what really happened), and so she came the next night :).

Each morning when MJ woke up she said, "Mama, I on see Waw!" LG was connected to Brynna for the week :).

Monday: The Day of Poop and Dinner at the Crab Trap

Sweet Cousins

Today we enjoyed a lot of pool time (the tide is on a weird schedule, so there is not much beach until late afternoon)! MJ is just a little fish and we have to make her sit out and take breaks! After she jumps in & swims to you she immediately says, "No c back" which means "no swim back". She wants us to take her back to the side instead of making her swim back :). MJ made it out of the pool just in time for us to realize she had a terrible diaper...the kind where Daddy carried her away from his body the whole way back to the condo :).

Tonight we enjoyed dinner at the Crab Trap...as I was getting MJ out of the car, I had a hunch to check her diaper - mother's instinct, I guess? It was extremely heavy, so I decided to change it before going inside. She was standing on the console between the front seats as I took her diaper off...BIG mistake, HUGE! Yep, there was poop. And I don't mean just poop, I mean the "all day swallowing swimming pool water poop." So, I panic, try to put the diaper back ON her until I can get her out of the car, and she is not really a fan of this idea. At this point, my heart is pounding, I'm sweating, I'm alone, and realize I have THREE wipes and this is not a three wipe job! I finally get MJ to lie down in the drivers seat...her legs are obviously hanging out the door as her head is smashed against the steering wheel. Her little hiney is barely on the seat so as I take her diaper off it s-l-o-w-l-y falls out of the car. Yes, I screamed...poop is now smeared in my car as the diaper rolls to the ground. I proceed to change her while dripping with sweat, trying not to step in the poop on the ground and trying not to dry heave! I get her dressed, throw the diaper away and head into the Crab Trap...then, I notice, yes, there's poop on her pants...unbelievable! So, back to the condo we go for a FULL outfit change! Did I mention, she's not potty trained - ha! Once back at CT, Wilson spilled a drink on Josh, so, Josh headed back to the condos for a shirt change! These are the moments that make such good memories!

Tuesday: Golf

This morning the guys went to play golf at Hamilton Club. After the first nine, they debated quitting because it was SO hot, but, they finished.

We had a small visitor in our condo this morning...a bird! We had the balcony door open and the bird flew in! It provided great entertainment for the cousins thank goodness finally flew out!

The girls and I enjoyed the morning at the pool and had lunch there with the cousins.

We "crashed" Dave's condo and the girls ended up eating dinner - thanks Aunt Lexi! Wilson was blowing bubbles from his balcony, so all the cousins went down in the grass to catch them. They had a blast running around and then the sprinklers came on and the fun really began! Uncle B make delicious peach icecream and D & C went to the Beachcomber for dinner and brought take-out back for me and A...great night on the balcony!

Always saying somthing

Wednesday: BEACH

While LG was on the balcony today, she spotted a baby bird down in the grass. She was so worried about it and she and the cousins went down and checked on it and moved it (not with their hands) to the shade under a bush.

We enjoyed more time at the pool, ate lunch in, enjoyed a nap and LG and B went to Cha Cha's to bake cookies.

The tide went out so we rented beach chairs and enjoyed the afternoon on the beach - woohoo!

The Girls...Trouble

Tonight we had Date Night at Mullet Bay...the kids stayed with Mrs. Terry :). The food was delicious and once again, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs! CW ran into some old FPD'ers and blessed them with some chit-chat.

Thursday: The Cloister

MJ slept until 10 a.m. More pool time...

The K&P held an absolute auction for some surrounding properties (even one at Tybee). Dave went and I took LG to the gift shop and then watched the auction from the doorway...very interesting! LG rode the glassed elevator while I watched the auction...it's the simple joys in life.

Tonight the adults headed to The Cloister for and unbelievable meal in the Georgia Room (Mrs. Terry kept the kids again). We had a private room with stained glass windows and a round table...I love round tables! We enjoyed many laughs, unbelievable service and delicious food and drinks - Thanks to Doc & Cha Cha!

Friday: Last Day

The walk to the beach...


Doc and his boys

This is the day the depression always sets in...we spent the morning relaxing and Daddy picked up Chick-fil-a for lunch - you know it's time to go home when you run out of food!

We spent the afternoon at the pool and then the tide started to head out so we headed to the beach again. The cousins had a blast with each other and even enjoyed the golf ball game. Yes, the "chair guy" had to kick us out of our beach chairs - this is a tradition :).

We had take-out from Barbara Jeans for dinner - unbelievable crab cake!

Saturday: 5:45 A.M.

Yes, you read that correctly...CW had us in the car at 5:45! I packed everyone up Friday night, he packed the car and we were out of there. Why, you ask? Of course, CW had a tournament tee time at 9:44 a.m. back at home!

Our Little Fish

Swimming from the steps - - - - - - - - - - - Almost there

Made it...so proud! - - - - - - - - - - - - - Swimming back to steps

Time to jump in - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kick, kick, kick

Up with a smile, woohoo - - - - - - - - well deserved break!

MJ had swimming lessons this week with Mrs. Laura. Monday, there was weeping & gnashing of teeth. I was questioning if I had made the right decision signing her up at age 2 after she cried the whole 30 minutes of the lesson. By the time it was over, we were both emotionally drained...she took a 4 hour nap Monday afternoon :). Mrs. Laura said this was perfectly normal and expected. When Daddy came home, he asked LG how the lesson had gone and her response was, "it was a disaster, Daddy!" Each day got a little better, though. Tuesday night the 4 of us went to the pool and she was jumping off the side and swimming to me! She even went off the diving board - I had to get on the board with her while Daddy was in the water waiting to "catch" her. We were so proud. Honey came to her lesson today and MJ was so proud to show off for her! Each time she came up out of the water she had a huge huge grin on her face. We went back to the pool this morning and she would not stop jumping off the side and swimming to me...she had a blast! I would say those lessons were well worth it :). Way to go, MJ!

Bye, Bye Kindergarten

First Day - - - - - - - - - - - Last Day

Well, what an exciting year we had watching LG make her way through Kindergarten! We are so proud of sweet LG and that she will be going to 1st grade next year. It was amazing to see the progress that she made from the beginning to the end of the year...she's even reading! Her teachers were wonderful and I enjoyed being the room mom for her class!

LG - You have such a sweet spirit and we are extremely proud of you! I am thankful that God has chosen me to be your Mama while on this earth. I love you, sweet girl!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
End of the Year Party

Our family enjoyed a great day at the R Farm...Smoky the Bear visited the class, the kids were able to fish, there was a scavenger hunt, games and lunch!

Daddy and his girls...yes, MJ wanted in the lake

LG loved Smokey - - - - MJ, not so much

See the fish?

Wilmington Member-Guest

While Daddy and Papa enjoyed playing golf, the four girls enjoyed the beach!

We have arrived - - - - - - LG loving the beach

Funny Face - - - - - - - - Taking a break

Boogy Boardin...

Caught by a wave - - - - Wanting to boogy like sister

Lead Singer & Girls - - - - - - - Band Dancers at Fannies

Bye, Bye MMO

First Day - - - - - - - - - - Last Day

Well, today was MJ's last day of Mother's Morning Out. Our baby will move on to 2K next year! We are so proud of this precious girl. She had a wonderful year and her teachers said she was so sweet. Each Friday on the way to MMO, she would say, "hing, Mama, hing." That meant she wanted to turn on the CD so we could sing. Once out of the car, she wanted to walk by herself and carry her bag. Once we reach the main door her fingers usually went into her mouth and she wanted me to pick her up. She was never real sure about going into her classroom, but, once in there, she was, of course, fine. I loved watching her through the two way window :)

MJ - I am so thankful that God has blessed me with you while on this earth. I am proud to be your Mama and I love you!

Allergic

Lola Grace had an allergic reaction to something (still don't know what) and had red spots on her face and body. She was not real sure what to think about these itchy patches and really wanted to know what had caused them.
LG (with concern in her voice): "Mama, I hope I'm not allergic to Daddy!"
M (trying not to laugh): "Why do you think you're allergic to Daddy?"
LG: "Well, that IS where I got my cough!"

I love the way children process things in their precious minds...

A Playing Girl

I thought I had lost a necklace, but, forgot I had taken it off earlier. Before I realized it was right where it was supposed to be I asked LG if she would help me look for it...

LG: Mama, what will you give me if I help you find it...can I get a zhu-zhu pet?
M: No, how about a big hug from me?! Will you still help me find it?
LG: yes (with a priceless, not so thrilled, look on her face)
M: I already told you that you may get a zhu-zhu pet if you practice reading and continue to get better...remember?
LG: Mama, I am NOT a reading girl...I'm a playing girl. I don't like to read, I like to PLAY!

Spring Break at Tybee

Our Big Star - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Lil Ms. Priss

Boogy Boardin - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Papa Time

We had a great week at the beach! A few of our memories include: the porch at AJ's, LG's bike rides, naps, cookies-n-cream icecream, runs on the beach, the deck at Fannie's, reading, crocs, Sunrise buffet, house hunting, park visits, IGA shrimp/ckn/tuna salad, walks, sunshine, rain, birds, waves, sand, open windows at night, hottub fun, playdates, golf, tybee hats, coloring, dvd's - the mantis who couldn't pray & the blind side, MJ talking, back porch, ocean breeze, palm trees.

On this trip, LG decided that one of her aspirations in life is to be an official "band dancer." While eating at Fannie's, there was a band playing "Three Cool Guys", and Honey, Papa, LG & MJ got up & danced for a whole set and then some. The band loved it & kept thanking them for dancing...the guitarist even came off the stage to LG and let her strum his guitar while playing a song - she loved it (later, the drummer tried to get her to play his drums, but, she drew the line there)! On the walk home, we told LG what a great dancer she was and how proud we were of her for getting up in front of everyone & she told us that she "just pretended to be in her room practicing & that nobody was looking at her so she wouldn't be too shy to dance." She also told us that when she grows up, she "wants to be a band dancer & we can come & watch her!" We, of course, said that would be Great :). Later in the week, she told me that there "should have been four pictures (instead of just the three band members) on the band's poster, because, she WAS the band dancer!" I think she may have a little more of her daddy's personality than we thought...

MJ Words

Hello = hewo

Bunny = Nunee

Honey = Nunee or NeeNee

Maddie = NeeNee

Lola Grace = Dace

Uncle Pi = DDD

Packy = Pappy

Sing = Hing, Ning

Blankie = NeeHee

Juice & Boots (from Dora) = Duce...this can be confusing :)

Dora = Doda

TV = D

Elmo = Nano

OK = Otay

Can I = Tan I

Thank you = Nanu, Dadu, Tank u soooo much

Please = Knees

Stop = Dop

Gum = Mum

Chick-fil-A = filethouse

Look = wook

Me = Knee (Watch knee, mama, watch knee)

Pink = Hink

Come on, Mama = Moan mama, moan (as she pulls me)

Whenever someone comes home, she gets so excited and says, "Mama (or whomever) home!" & gives you a big hug.

What's that noise? - Whadanoise? Very concerned with noises...doesn't like loud noises

What's her name? - Whahername?

Who's that? - Whodat

When mad - folds arms in front, pokes her lips out, stomps & says "huummpphh...No Mama, no Daddy, no Dace, No Nunee, No Papa!"

Daddy nicknamed her "Patty" when she pouts.

Loves for me to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider, Patty Cake, Row Row Row Your Boat, Night Night song, Mama Loves MJ

When she counts she starts with 2 instead of 1...loves to say 6 and 9 over and over.