My Birthday

I got to spend my birthday at the beach again this year.  I began the day relaxing on the beach and searching for an internet signal on my ITouch so that I could check all my Facebook messages.  Because, let's face it, your birthday is the best day to check Facebook.  

For dinner, we headed to our favorite Japanese restaurant in Myrtle Beach.  We go there every year, usually on my birthday.  

My brother, Nathaniel and his girlfriend, Kanon.  Aren't they cute?

Big Girl and Baby joined us as well.  They even got their own seats.  Big Girl and Baby go everywhere with us.  They may even deserve their own post.  So, more on them in the future.  

After some yummy Filet, we headed to Putt-Putt.  (Around these parts, it's called Mini Golf.  I remember my students looking at me like I had 2 heads when I talked about putt-putt.  But, when I said, "mini golf", they were all like, "oh yeah, we know what you are talking about.")

Oliver and I played a mean game of one-handed putt-putt.  I think I even came in 2nd or 3rd.  Well, at least in the top 6.  I thought, for sure, he would go to sleep in the sling.  But, nope, he has found all kinds of new ways to keep himself awake.  

We had to wait a little bit for the train to take us to the top of the course.  

Madeline seems to be a little concerned about something outside of the train.  

She actually did pretty well for her first time. And she had a lot of fun.

After putt-putt, we came home to some yummy cake that Andrew and Madeline had made together earlier in the day.  

One day, when looking back at this picture, I might think I was turning 33.  But, Madeline thought I should have those 4 extra candles. 

And she helped me blow them out.  So,  I still get my wish.

It was pretty yummy.  Thanks for my wonderful birthday everyone!

Overheard at The Beach

Last week, at the beach, we took Madeline to ride on a carousel while we were waiting for dinner.  Right beside the carousel there was a lady clown with a big curly pink wig.  Madeline pointed out the clown to us and then asked, with concern, "Did someone abracadabra her?"

Here's some video of Madeline riding the waves.

More Myrtle

My parents bought a tent to bring down to the beach so that we would all have some shade to relax under.  After looking at this picture, it looks like we brought everything but the kitchen sink down to the beach.  If you look closely, you can see Oliver taking a nap on the raft.

Oliver just did what he does best, go with the flow. 

Nathaniel and his girlfriend, Kanon, read about a bajillion books.  Oh, the vacations before kids.  I actually did get through one book.  That's the most I have read all year, except for other blogs.  If blogs were actually books, then I have probably read about a bajillion books as well this year.    

Madeline loved the ocean.  She kept asking to go out further.  She loved jumping over the waves and having them break on her.  She also road a bunch of waves on the boogie board.  Mom and Dad pulled her out and then let her ride them in.  The beach is so fun now that I can watch Madeline doing the things that I grew up doing on vacation.  

We enjoyed some down time in my grandmother's condo.  Oliver is really into The 10 Little Ladybugs now.  That used to be Madeline's favorite book too.  

My happy guys.

Pawpaw must have the most interesting mouth.  Remember this from last year? (You have to scroll down to the 9th picture.)

We tried to find the alligators at one of our favorite restaurants, The Chesapeake House, but all we could find were turtles.  Lots and lots of turtles.  

So, we stopped looking for them and used the opportunity for some pictures.

Don't worry, we didn't take this many pictures every day of the trip.  But, I do think I have a few more to share.  

Myrtle Beach

We made it home safely about an hour ago.  We had a wonderful time and wish we were still there.  But, it is also nice to be back home.  Madeline was so excited to see all her toys.  Here are a few (or maybe a lot) of pictures from our first evening on the beach.  

Last year, Madeline was pretty scared of the ocean.  But, this year, she loved it!  And so did Oliver.  

Madeline gave it a thumbs up (well, her version of a thumbs up.)

They had a great time jumping over the waves and then running from them really fast.

Oliver tuckered out since he only slept for about 40 minutes of the 9 hour trip there.  Madeline slept none, nada, zip.  Same for the trip home.  Why don't our kids like to sleep in the car?  Sigh

Madeline checking out Daddy's new Bounty Hunter Quickdraw 2.  

His first find, a tent peg.  (There were tons more where that came from.)  We love treasure!