Happy 4th birthday, James!

James turned 4 on June 22nd. This kid is going to move mountains. He is very smart (but doesn't really like to sit down to learn), is hilarious - seriously hilarious, sweet, and definitely red-headed! He can be stubborn and things have to happen on "James time". I guarantee he will be someone's boss one day!  He's growing up so fast- he  already has a sarcastic sense of humor and is getting more and more independent. But he is still my little boy- he calls his pjs "ju-jammies" and puts his shoes on the wrong feet all the time. We love him to pieces! Happy birthday, Jamesy- James!

My kids love this tree near Seth's parents' house because it looks like a 4. 

To celebrate, we had a water party.....we rented a water slide, had a squirt gun for every kid, and had 200+ water balloons. 15 children came over, and I think they all had a great time! We also had some activities in the basement (coloring, blocks, matchcars with a road rug) and a water hopscotch for the younger kids. 

This bad boy came at 9 a.m and the party wasn't until 2:30 p.m. 

The kids tested it out to make sure it was going to work. CHECK!

James wanted a Planes Fire and Rescue cookie cake. Um, yeah....those don't exist. So I had them make some orange flames at Publix and added his Planes Fire and Rescue toys. He was pleased, so that's all that matters. 

We had a bucket filled with water and each kid got a squirt gun. I think they were more fun at the party and nobody really took them home because we have a bazillion left over. Anybody wanna come play water guns at our house? 

Family picture before the kids came

James was very hesitant about going down the slide at first and would only go down with me or Seth. He spent some of the party in the basement, perfectly content playing with the other two kids in there (everyone else was on that slide!)

 By the end, he was loving it! I think he was intimidated by the older kids- they were doing crazy jumps and flying down. Once they took a break, he hung with boys his age and was loving it. 

Blowing out his candle

  

After the party, we all took turns going down, even Nana!

  

Adelyn being a daredevil

Not sure where she gets it from? By this point, the slide was covered with sunscreen and we were really flying down it! Seth and I were both sore the next day! Haha! #gettingoldisnotfun

My parents were in town and James LOVED opening his gifts from them. 

We opened all his party presents when the guests left. My dad and James bonded over some Legos.

Seth bought James 2 (used) 4 wheelers a couple months ago. The kids found them a few weeks back, so James got his gift early. Boy do they love these!! They ride them all the time!

 Monday, James's actual birthday, we went to the Georga Aquarium. Georgia residents get in free on their birthday. We were there for about 4 hours. It was really fun! We saw the dolphin show and many cool water animals. James was most excited about the sharks.

We went with my friend Heather and her baby, Madison. Madison smiles all the time- such a sweet, good baby! My kids love her (and are a little too "helpful")

I laugh everytime I see this picture. I crawled through the tunnel with the kids to see the penguins. When I lifted James up to see the penguins through the tube, in totally banged his head into the top. Happy birthday- bonk!!

 We went to Rice with Seth's family to celebrate his birthday that night. He was tickled to have the staff sing to him and bring him a special dessert. 

 

Thank you to everyone who made his birthday so special!

Folly Beach 2015

This year, we went to Folly Beach (we've gone to Isle of Palms for the past 4 years) at the beginning of the summer. We normally go in September, but we can't do that anymore with Adelyn starting school in August. It was kind of nice to not have to wait ALL summer long for my favorite trip of the year!

Upon arrival, the kids ran straight for the water and pretty much dove on in, clothes and all. 

We hit the beach first thing Sunday morning and James was ready for action! He wore his life jacket all day, every day....even in the sand. 

Adelyn is definitely my beach girl!

We walked to the pier and had icees

By day two, James liked to wear the life jacket AND goggles all day long

My dear friend from middle school lives at Folly (lucky girl!), so she and her son, who is about James's age, joined us on the beach. 

One of my dad's customers invited us on his boat. We met him around 4 on Monday and he took us all over the Charleston area. 

We saw so many porpoises 

Me, my honey, and the Morris lighthouse in the background 

Fort Sumter

My brother

The Yorktown....we got even closer than this to it! That was amazing!

Shem Creek (Mount Pleasant)

We were out for about 3 hours and the kids loved every bit of it. 

This really cool playground was near our condo. The kids had a blast!

Seth and Adelyn had a little date night and enjoyed Sushi by Lisa. My kids LOVE sushi (James was sick, so I stayed home with him and then went to dinner with a college friend when Seth and Adelyn returned)

Beautiful Wednesday morning sky :(

Unfortunately, James got really sick Tuesday night (puking and 102.5 fever). He was still sick Wednesday morning AND it was raining, so we stayed in the condo. Seth built the kids some fun forts!

By Wednesday evening, he was all better. Maybe the new pirate toys helped?

We had dinner at Bowen's Island. I had frogmore stew and thoroughly enjoyed my meal, the view, and the company. 

My dad and the kids watching the crabs 

Thursday morning, we went to see the Angel Oak on John's Island. It's a huge- 65 feet tall and is almost 500 years old. 

Life is good- enjoying popsicles on the beach

Seth and I 

Adelyn could boogie board all day long

Seth and I had a date night Thursday night. We stayed downtown and had a delicious dinner at Rue de Jean. We had a great evening!

We enjoyed Friday morning breakfast at Hot Little Biscuit. I will be back. That was so darn good!

Friday night was our last night, and we grilled out hamburgers after playing on the beach all day. We dined on the balcony. 

I just loved this beach trip with my family! I am thankful for the memories made. It's awesome to see your kids enjoy the same things you did when you were younger.....it's repeated memories in a new way, if that makes any sense!

End of the School Year

My kids have had a great school year! I hope that every year we are blessed with awesome teachers like they've both had this year. James finished up 3 year-old preschool May 13th, and Adelyn wrapped up Kindergarten the following day. 

 James did a cute little program with his class, singing lots of songs. It amazes me how many songs they learn throughout the year!

 Here he his with his little diploma, looking so thrilled. Mrs. Missi (in the background) was also Adelyn's teacher when she was in the 3's. She is the PreK teacher at church Sunday School too, so James will shortly move up to her class. Yay for more time with this special lady!

 Party time! They had a pirate themed party

 He walked the plank, dug for pirate treasure in the sandbox, tossed rings onto pirate hooks, and played a neat coin game. They were also served snow cones and popcorn. This was seriously the best end of year party I've attended. 

 James, the pirate....Aaaaargh!

Adelyn's "Peace Out, Kindergarten!" party was the next day. Adelyn has attended CFUMC since she was 16 months old (Mother's Morning Out all the way through Kindergarten). This school has meant a lot to us, and I am not gonna lie....I was (am) very sad about her time well spent here coming to an end. Completing Kindergarten is kind of her first "big step", but she is well prepared for what lies ahead. 

A parent tie dyed shirts for the entire class. The kids had all kinds of activities to do outside like bubbles, tic tac toe, hula hoops, frisbies, popsicles, etc. 

 And let's not forget sack races!

 They had a photo booth inside

 The entire class took part in a race

 After their snack/lunch, Mrs. Cochran handed out the awards. How proud was I that my daughter received the math award? She has learned SO much and rocked her IOWA tests. I hope that she continues to excel in Math!

 Her graduation program was that evening at 7:00. Here is my little graduate! I had to order her program DVD. The songs they sang really highlighted what all they've learned this year. 

 We are so proud of Adelyn!

Grandma and Grandpa are too!

I can't believe she is SIX and headed to first grade! After graduation, we hit up Dairy Queen for ice cream....along with the rest of the school. It was a fun evening, and I am so proud of both my children for all they learned this year. 

Now....let's celebrate SUMMER!