Beach with the Bradleys, and a little in between...

St. Patricks Day weekend I took the kids, and Callie, to Carolina Beach.  My good friends, Brad and Marian Bradley, and their 3 girls, have a condo there, and invited us for the weekend.  Brian went to N. Myrtle Beach with some friends, as he has been helping Greg out with some home improvements to his beach house...and it was St. Patty's Day weekend.  So always a good time, wherever you are!  We were much more optimistic about the weather than what we were actually dealt, but we made the best of it, and pretended it was summertime outside.  Here are a ton of pictures from the trip.  The kids get along with Leah, Kieran, and Marea really well, and Callie enjoyed her new friend, Ruby.  The temps were in the mid 50's Friday and upper 60's on Saturday.  Payton was still not scared to get on a boogie board in the ocean.  Griffin, however, had a little more sense.

Crashed, on the way down!  I sure wish I could sleep like that!

Walking to the Tiki Bar...short walk to the beach and the girls were inseparable.

Callie and Ruby

So much fun!

Kieran

Leah

Payton, who LOVED this scooter.  Guess what one of her birthday presents will be?  Hmmm....

Kieran (6), Payton (almost 4), Leah (almost 5, same bday as Payton!), and Marea (8)...Marea was SUCH a huge help!

My gorgeous morning run with Callie...I love beach runs!

Seagulls everywhere...

Because someone was feeding them Cheetos...

Luckily no one was pooped upon...

She's hilarious.

These two are really inseparable.  Two peas in a pod.

A couple of times during the day, Griffin would walk down to that pier you see in the background.  That's where the Tiki Bar is, and where there were lots of people hanging out, talking to him.  He walked back toward us, hand over his shoulder, waving backwards.  I asked him what he was doing.  His response?  "I'm waving to my people."  I think I just fell out laughing.  Here I thought Payton was the funny one.  He may give her a run for her money!

Here's Griffin singing a very animated "Itsy Bitsy Spider."  He kept putting a concert on for me, singing song after song.  Too cute!

My beautiful friend, Marian, and me...pretending it's warm out!  Hey, I need a tan!

At night Brad started fires for us in their firepit.  One night all the kids told "scary" stories...even Griffin.

 Here's Payton telling part of one of her scary stories (you may have to turn your volume way up to hear!)


St. Patty's Day after playing on the beach, naps, and some yardwork by the Bradleys, we headed with some friends to the Tiki Bar.  The kids played in the sand, and the adults enjoyed some beverages.  We even met a real live pirate leprechaun, haha!

Kieran was the only kid brave enough to stand by him.

Marian, Me, Pirate Leprechaun (think "arrrgh, matey, in an Irish accent), JJ, and Jenn

Griffin didn't want to leave this spot.  He was determined to see a shark.  We did see some dolphins earlier that day.  No sharks.  Disappointment only to one.  Haha.

And the kids, and dogs, had a blast throughout the weekend playing on scooters, bikes, and skateboards, in the cul-de-sac.

THANK YOU to the Bradleys for putting us up for the weekend. It was a blast and we can't wait to come back this summer!  We love you guys!


Soccer Shots has begun again for Payton.  They had to play indoors the first day due to it being too COLD outside.  Too cold?  Many of her classmates are playing on her "team" this session, which sometimes turns Payton into a goofball and a not-so-good listener.  We are working on that!  Anyway, here's day one...

Anna, Sierra, Payton, and Payton's "sister Chloe" (Chloe and Sierra are twins, but Payton and Chloe call each other sisters)

She shoots.  She scores!

In the meantime...Griffin is exploring on the stage

Coach had them put their noses on the ball...does it smell like a cupcake? NO! Does it smell like a flower? NO!  Does it smell like a soccer ball?  YES!

 And day #2:

And here's Griffin.  Asleep.  Crazy hair.  And before and after a haircut...

On the way back from the beach...one tired little man

You're doing it wrong, little buddy!

I see him grow up so much with every haircut.  Maybe I'll stop getting it cut.  Will that stop him?  I wish!

The parents got to come into the dance studio a couple of weeks ago to watch the girls tap dance.  Here's what I got...Payton is MUCH improved.  Also, this is a class of 4, and mostly 5, year olds.  She's, by far, the youngest dancer.

And here's Griffin going through a wicket, playing croquet one afternoon.  Watch out beach crew.  Could he be the next trophy winner?  Haha!

Also, since the last update, I went out and celebrated with my good friends, the Millers, for Mandi's birthday.  Also, the kids and I made her a gluten-free cake.  I think the only person who liked it was Payton (it was NOT good!!)  But we tried :)  We went to Baku, over by Southpark, for dinner (which is where we went for my birthday....it's phenomenal!!)  I think she had a great birthday, and we certainly had a good time celebrating with her!

Mandi, Nick, and me at Baku

And it's boating season again!  My favorite time of the year...just wish Mother Nature got the memo!

Brian and I are going to get my boat cleaned up and ready for the water soon.  It's in pretty bad shape in the inside.  Maybe next year we can get new carpet and get it reupholstered AND GET A NEW COVER!!  haha.  I'm ready to wakeboard, and Payton asks me all the time when we're getting on the board.  Maybe she can even try by herself later this summer.  I love my water baby!

Payton has had a TON of birthday parties this school year.  This past weekend she had one for her friend, Lauren.  It was at the Harris Y, in the gymnastics room.  The kids all got to do some really fun stuff, then have pizza and cake.  The best part, right?  Happy 4th birthday, Lauren!  (I didn't take the camera, and didn't get anything great)...Payton is super excited to host all of her friends at her upcoming party.  She can't wait to turn 4!  She's one of the youngest in her class, so she's waited patiently for her turn.

 I think it's a phenomenon that all girls around the ages of 4-7 are singing "Let It Go" from the movie, "Frozen," which I have still yet to see.  Payton, Griffin, and I were at Target this week.  Payton threw her blanket over her head, kind of like a cape, and started singing it loudly in the middle of the store.  That movie is one of her birthday presents, so I'm SURE I'll be sick of it soon.  Granby wants to borrow it since she and Uncle JP took the kids to see it in the movie theater, back when it came out, and Payton insisted they leave 15 minutes before it was over...so she wants to see how it ends! 

Brian took the kids to see the Charlotte Roller Girls at the old Grady Cole Center.  Griffin was in a little "mood," but he said they both enjoyed it.  I think we are going to try to take them back soon.

Well, there's our update!  Brian's back at the beach with Greg this weekend.  I think they are putting in stone in an outdoor shower, and doing some landscaping, weather-permitting.  Speaking of Brian, he was nominated, and chosen, to be a part of the exclusive UNC Charlotte's Community Building Initiative's Leaders Under 40 (I was obviously not chosen because of my age, haha!)  Just kidding.  This is a huge honor, and I'm so proud of him!  A very good networking opportunity to rub elbows with some influential people in his field.  Way to go Daddy!  My annual Cooper River Run is coming up next weekend, and then my Racefest, half marathon...which I have NOT properly trained for.  Wish me luck!
I hope you are all enjoying spring, or winter, or whatever this is, and staying well!  xo