IOP - Day 2

We are early birds anyway, but for some reason we always get up even earlier when we are at the beach. We had finished breakfast and suited/sunscreened up to get out on the beach before 9:00 on our second day. Our kids barely last two hours on the beach so when things got too sandy we hit up the pool. After lunch, the big kids went out with Daddy while I rested with the nappers and we hit the pool again once everyone was up. We had dinner at the restaurant next door and thoroughly enjoyed our second day of vacation.

Doing what they love - digging and giant hole!

Snacks by the pool - always a big hit.

Isle of Palms - Day 1

We decided to mix things up a bit for our vacation this year. We took a few short trips during the week instead of staying in one place the entire time. It worked out really well for our young brood, since doing the same thing too many days in a row makes a person cranky, even when it's vacation! We headed out of town Sunday and made it to IOP by lunch. The kids did great on the ride down and it was nice to have a 2 1/2 hour drive instead of a 4+ hour ride to the beach. We were on the beach by 2:30 and played the afternoon away in the sand and surf. This is the first year that everyone loved the water and sand instantly, which is great since we didn't have a whole week for them to get used to it before deciding to enjoy.

Lucy got to hang out with me while she was awake and watch the others play in the waves.

Loving it!

Once nap time rolled around I put her in the stroller and rolled her around until she went to sleep.

Sleeping in the shade. Thankfully my girl can sleep anywhere!

After all that beach fun we headed over to Shem Creek for a seafood dinner. Yum!

My kids have suddenly become obsessed with doughnuts and begged to have some for dessert. Thankfully we found a Krispy Kreme because no trip to the beach is complete without it!

Day 1 was a great success! You just can't go wrong with fun on the beach and yummy food!

Dance, dance, dance!

Anna had dress rehearsal today for her upcoming recital. To say she was excited is putting it mildly! This is the second time she's worn her costume (she had pictures during class last week), but she's been coveting it since we received them in January. I took pictures today because I figured Saturday will be crazy and we can't take actual pictures during the recital (ridiculous, I know). I'm posting pictures now especially for Ninny and Grandy since they can't be here to see the real deal.

We got there and Anna insisted on taking a picture by the horse.

Practicing their bows for the finale.

Yep, my child is the only one bowing - not sure if she is early or late, but at least she's doing it with enthusiasm!

After the rehearsal we took a few pictures outside.

I asked her to show me first position, second position, etc. - that's what these next few pictures are about.

I'm pretty sure she made up this position!

As we were walking to the car I asked her to stop and wait for me and this is what she did.

Then she stopped to do what she loves best - dig in the dirt!

The recital theme is dancing through the decades and Anna's class is combined with two other classes to dance to the song, "Me Lost Me Cookie at the Disco." The teachers are dressed as Cookie Monster and it's pretty stinkin' cute! I'm looking forward to Saturday.