Rain, Rain, Go Away - Day 11

Well, it was not how we hoped to kick off our week with Miss Katie... but we made the most of a very rainy gray day!

My morning started off with a snuggle from this sweetheart... no words can tell you how full my heart was as she quietly padded out into the living room without a word, climbed up on my lap and gave me a full body hug.  (ignore the mess that is leftover makeup on my face)

We started off with a drive out for breakfast... coffee and donuts.  And made our weekly visit to Crumb Buns (Mmm).  Then we came back and did our school work.  By the time we finished, it was almost 11:30 so we thought it was best to make lunch before we made any further plans.

So I tried something new... something, that worked really well last year on a smaller scale.

 Yup, that's a veggie, meat, fruit plate.  We passed it around and asked each kiddo to select (and eat) three veggies, fruits, and meats.  And my incredibly picky kids... they weren't sold.  But they did it and they ate a VERY healthy lunch.  This was one happy Mama!

After lunch, the rain continued so we decided to run to the outlet mall to pick up a few things.  We picked Tyler up a pair of shoes, me some slippers and then headed to the grocery store for MORE fruits and veggies.

We had a quiet evening with tacos for supper.  Then hit the hot tub for a little while once it was dark... and as it does, some silliness ensued!

The kids headed to bed.  Then, Katie and I enjoyed a nice treat from Crumb Buns (Mmm) while we watched the premier of Castle.

Saying Good-Bye - Day 10

We started off with breakfast on the 27th floor with Uncle Rog and Aunt Gretchen.  Uncle Rog made us a puffy pancake and it was worthy of Scott's last meal with us!  FABULOUS!

Then Scott headed back to the condo to get packed up.

No matter how excited we were for Miss Katie to join us, there was a heaviness in the air as we knew we'd soon be saying goodbye to Dad.  The kids were extra snuggly.  Sammy's first words this morning were "Tonight, I'm gonna miss you Dad" and Tyler selected a vacation photo to send home with Scott to help him remember.  Boy, they sure do adore that man!

We arrived at the airport at 11:45 am.  Scott would be flying out on the same plane Katie arrived on, so they passed in the airport and soon enough... Katie was there.  Before we even left the airport, Scott had boarded his plane for the ride home.

We grabbed a quick lunch from Wendy's where Tyler tried a CHEESEburger, ketchup only... jazzing up the usual with a slice of cheese!

Today is the last day of the season for the water park so we decided to head over.  It was crazy busy but we still had lots of fun!

We headed back to the condo around supper time and waited for Dean to bring us pizza!  We watched  a movie and then headed out to get some ice cream for a treat.

When we got home at 8:00, Tyler opened a gift from Miss Katie, Rog and Gretch came for a visit, and we FaceTimed with Dad.  Needless to say, it was a late bedtime but so worth it!

Daddy's Last Night - Day 9

After we all finished our adventures, we came back to the condo for a little quiet time before supper.  We decided to go to Joe's Crab Shack with Uncle Roger and Aunt Gretchen.  After our meal, we wandered around Barefoot Landing and had some treats.

We headed home to get the kids in bed and spent some quality time talking with Rog and Gretch.

It was the perfect end to our big day and to Scott's time with us.  Tomorrow he will head home for work.  The kids and I have one more week with Miss Katie joining us.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Day 9

What to do with a feisty 7 year old when you are at the resort without a vehicle?  The answer was simple... THE WATER PARK!

So Sammy and I were up early to send the boys off and then headed out for a walk to get Mom a coffee (shameless, I know).  Then we came back to the condo to get today's homework out of the way.  As soon as Aunt Gretchen was ready, we headed down to the water park.  This will be the final weekend of the season, so we need to make it fun!

The water in the park is freezing!  Although I did play with Sammy, went down the slides and stood in the bucket fall, I just couldn't withstand the water temps.  After a little while though, Sammy asked "Mom, will you help me find a girl to be my friend?"  (Say What?)   Did my girl just ask for a friend... of course I will!  So we headed back out into the frigid temps to make a friend.  And God had already picked one out... a special girl named EMILY who was the perfect friend for Sammy!

They played together, laughed, chased one another.  It was so very sweet to see.  The entire time, I gushed to see my girl interacting with her peers in such a natural way.  I spent the remainder of the time, reminiscing of past trips (this is our 8th) and realizing just how far Sammy has come.  God is so good!

The play date was cut a little short, when the dark clouds rolled in and it started to rain.  I told Sammy we should leave soon to which she replied "But I like playing in the rain".  I guess she was already drenched and the rain water HAD to be warmer than the water park.  With some luck, I had even sat under an umbrella.  So I flicked it open and told her to have fun!

The crowds thinned out and Sammy had the the place almost all to herself.  When she was finished (and cold to the touch), the rain had just ended so it was a pleasant walk back to the condo.

What a great way to spend today together!

Boys and their Toys - Day 9

Scott and Tyler took the day to explore the battleship USS North Carolina in Wilmington.  It was a fabulous day and I know Tyler was super excited to get to spend it alone with Dad!  I can't begin to tell of their adventure, so I will let Scott share...  but here are some photos to give you an idea.

More Golf!?! - Day 8

We started off the morning with yet another trip to mini-golf.  Good thing there is so many courses in Myrtle Beach... we just keep going, never having to repeat one.  It was a fun course and seemed to be a good fit for Sammy who shot very well.  After golf we headed back to Broadway at the Beach since our last visit was cut short by the rain.  We wandered around and explored the shops.  We took pictures by crazy cut-out boards and got ice cream.

But probably the highlight was making a wax mold of the kids hands.  They were a little nervous at first but absolutely LOVED the final product.

We ate a quick meal back at the condo and then took a walk on beach until dark.  The kids love playing in those waves... thank you God for the amazing power of that ocean.  It is so awesome.

We were lucky enough to find the hot tub completely empty on our return to the condo so we spent some time in the bubbles... It was fun being out at night!

Then it was time for a short movie and bed.  We have big plans for tomorrow!

Finally, the Beach! - Day 7

We spent the morning doing school work and cleaning up around the condo.  Then after a break in the rain, we headed out to the beach for a while.  Scott took the kids out first while I finished on the computer.  This first pic is the view from our patio as Scott and Tyler walked to the water to swim.  

This picture is quite amazing in and of itself.  Notice the kids in the center... some distance away.  They played like that the entire time we were on the beach.  We have NEVER allowed Sammy to be that far away while on the beach... we just couldn't trust that she wouldn't run into the water.  But not anymore!  She has come so far in the few years we have visited Myrtle Beach!  Love that we finally made it to this point.

After the beach, we had a late lunch at McDonalds (the kids were thrilled) and then headed to Target to do a little shopping.  Here is a pic of Tyler and Daddy being silly!

After Target, Scott and I got cleaned up for a date night!  It was so fun to go to Ruth's Chris to talk through our time here on vacation and plans for when we get home.  I sure love that man!  It was a fabulous meal and great service... Scott said actually uttered "Wow!" four times while eating.

The kids weren't disappointed with their evening plans either.  Uncle Roger and Aunt Gretchen babysat and their adventure included a trip up to their condo, several rounds of Uno, and building the coolest cardboard box home ever!  It was complete with a door (with handle), a pitched roof and a covered porch.  It was so fun to hear their giggles as they explained what they had done.  I'm so glad that they have people like Uncle Roger and Aunt Gretchen in their lives that love having fun with them!

Waves and Magic - Day 6

Today was a great day!  It was a rainy morning but Sammy was so insistent that she go in the hot tub, that I agreed to take her.  Yup, that was me, with a towel over my head, standing next to Sammy in the hot tub... she loved it!

Scott woke up with a lot of sinus pressure, so he ended up back in bed til mid afternoon.  I took the kids to run some errands, then home for a great lunch.  After that, we decided to go for a walk on the beach to give Dad some rest time.

We splashed in the tide pools, jumped waves in the tide and scared the seagulls.  After a little while, Daddy caught up to us and joined us for the remainder of the walk.  We found a second star fish on the way (quite lucky) and Tyler was even willing to hold it!   We decided to quick warm up in the hot tub before heading back to the condo!

They enjoyed being "SUPER strong" with their puffy shirts.  Ahaha... so many giggles as they'd float around the hot tub.

We got cleaned up and then finished up our school work for the day.  Then had a lovely spaghetti dinner... with a fresh veggie taste test.  I was thrilled that Sammy chose cucumbers and Tyler chose broccoli for their meals.

After our meal, we all headed to Illusions of Magic.  It is a family-friendly show with magic tricks and comedy all rolled into one.  It was a highlight for Tyler last year so we wanted to bring Daddy back to see it.   We also were lucky enough to work out schedules so Roger, Gretchen and Dean could join us as well!

Again, Tyler was so thankful to have gone; his favorite part was the tigers.  Sammy was most interested in Uncle Roger's popcorn...  She would pick a piece, separate and eat the fluffy outside  parts and return the kernel to the bucket.  Poor Uncle Roger!  (he didn't really seem to mind though)

The show wrapped up around 9:30 and we headed home for bed.

(holding their magic wands up, outside the theater after the show)

Weather:  I didn't get today's high, but would have guessed low-70s, cloudy with rain throughout.

Wonder Works & Rain - Day 5

Ah, the kids have definitely gotten into a routine.  Mornings are laid back and relaxed.  They play quietly or watch a show while they wait for me to prep breakfast.  Then we get ready and do devotions and school.  This morning we went back to playing afterwards so I could get a few things done.

We decided to head over to the "upside down building" since we weren't able to do it for Tyler's birthday.  But since it was lunch time, we hit AppleBees on the way for a quick bite to eat.

The kids both were eager to visit WonderWorks but I'm not sure how best to describe it.  Its a three story building that features various hands on activities.  There is so much potential for learning and fun... but it is also THE MOST sensory-overloading activity I've EVER experienced... so every time ends the same way for Sammy.  Don't get me wrong, though, its still totally worth it!

This was the last photo before a very urgent "I need to get out of here".  So, Sammy and I headed out while Tyler and Scott finished up.

It wasn't long before we were walking around Broadway on the Beach.  We thought it was a great time to get a snack so Sammy chose chocolate ice cream, parents went with Starbucks, while Tyler picked Sixlets.  It would have been such a pleasant and enjoyable walk, had it not started POURING!  So, we got the kids to hunker down under the umbrella and headed for the van.

When we finally made it, Scott and I were drenched!

We took some down time once we got back to the condo... showers, playing with new toys, laundry... you know!  Then prepped a taco bar for supper.

Aunt Gretchen came for a quick visit but still had time to play three rounds of Uno with the kids.  Then Scott headed out with Roger and Dean to see a movie.  I got the kids settled in bed a little early. I realized today that Sammy was up BEFORE 5:00 am and I bet its gonna take its toll if I don't get her caught up soon.

So, another great day on vacation... we sure love it here!

Weather - overcast, then rainy; high of 68*