The Final Pawley’s Post!

One essential requirement of the Rutland Family Beach House each summer is a dock.  As long as I can remember my grandmother, my dad and my family have loved fishing.  This can take on  varied meanings.  We are totally happy and content fishing for the smallest little fishies all they way up to fishing for the Big Daddies!  Routinely, this is our after dinner entertainment along with cocktails on the dock!!  (Which would explain why my children are always dressed in pajamas during fishing time!)   While I LOVE that my children love to fish, I also LOVE that my 92 year old grandmother is still able to fish with all of us!  And boy can she can catch um’! 

 

This year was so much fun because Charlie and Wylie were old enough to follow directions to learn to fishing! I loved watching their excitement.  Particularly Charlie.  He was all about some fishing with DooDad!  Wylie particpated 1 night and 1 night only…she doesn’t really do “nature” yet!  However, this momma was, of course, ready and armed with her camera to capture the short but sweet first fishing moment for Wylie!

Charlie was hysterical!  He really enjoyed fishing!  I would not say he won the Patient Award that is required of a fisherman but he is little…it shall come!  There were many times I just knew either Charlie was going in the water or his pole was going to be heading to the bottom of the creek.  He really felt like keeping the tip of his pole under the water was most appropriate!  Whatever, he was happy and relatively still!  The first fishing adventure Charlie caught several fish and was thrilled with his accomplishments!  The second night, Charlie’s patience was ummmm… not at all present, so luckily my dad found a fish in the large minnow basket he had attached to the dock.  Quietly, while Charlie was busy attending to other matters, my dad hooked the fish on Charlie’s line.  He quickly put the pole in the water and wah-lah  in a matter of 2 seconds, Charlie had “caught” a fish!  Sadly friends, this “catching” of the fish went on more than once that evening!  Whatever it took to make a 3 year old feel proud of himself as a fisherman- we did! 

 

Pawley’s 2011 was a wonderful time!  We loved celebrating birthdays, making memories and being able to be a part of Cousin Ella’s Milestone- her first visit from the toothfairy!  Thanks DooDad and RahRah for a wonderful week!

Pawley’s Part 2

The beach is one of my favorite places.  Lucky for me, my kids also enjoy it!  One of these days, I know I will be able to really sit in a chair and relax, maybe even read, while I am on the beach.  But these days, it is all play.  At  Pawley’s we love to “go the the North” as Charlie says.  There are giant puddles that the kids love to sit and play in.  Momma doesn’t mind them either for that matter!  The puddles also offer a great distraction because just when you can sense that a melt down might be about to occur, to the “North” we head and you have yourself another hour of beach fun! 

Charlie loves everything about the beach.  He loves the sand and the water!  Thanks to Tonka Trunks, the beach is even more entertaining!  Everyday Charlie loaded his blue truck up with more sand than I thought possible!  Jeffery and Jay found themselves with an extra Bocce Ball player this year!  He was a great runner but had a hard time understanding the patience involved in the game!  Bless his heart- this child has more energy than I will ever know what to do with!

 

 

Wylie also loves the beach.  After her initial meeting of the sand and surf last summer I was worried but Lawd have times changed!  This child is perfectly content sitting in sand for hours.  Just give her a digger and a bucket and she is good to go!  Wylie was OBSESSED with collecting sea shells this beach trip.  She found more treasures that she insisted on keeping at the end of each beach day!  She also loved to jump the waves!  By the end of the week she was really swimming in the water with her cousins!  She was a little too brave for my taste though so again, out of the comfy chair I had sitting in the sand and into the water I went! 

My sweet Bessie Boo was thrilled to be a the beach again!  Every morning she was so anxious to get her bathing suit on to head to the sand!  She really doesn’t realize she is only 2.  In her eyes she is just as big as the rest of the clan so of course she does exactly what they do!  Bess truly does LOVE sand!  She loves being covered in it the most!  It all started simply … just covering her feet and kicking it off.  She thought this was hysterical.  But by the end of the week, she was asking to be covered in sand and only her precious little head sticking out to remind us she was there!  She is a nut!  But really, she loved this activity!  So much that Amy was able to do it multiple times with her!!!  YEAH ! 

Perhaps one of the most precious things on the beach this past week was seeing my brother attempt to teach the cousins how to play Bocce Ball.  A man of patience was he!  He was so methodical in his teaching and had it all planned out.  I will say, he gets an A+ for effort.  I don’t know that the rule book was followed but it was a success none the less!  

I am so lucky that my kids enjoy the beach.  Sadly it was hotter than Hades on the beach and Bennie had to hang back!  Next year I am sure he will be in the thick of it!

Pawley’s Part 1

How lucky were the kids and I to have another wonderful week at the beach?!  Toes in the sand, wonderful weather and family to share it with!  Life has been great!   Our family is partial to a creek house because the entire family usually ends up on the dock.  This year was no exception!

We arrived and the kids were greeted with their Welcome to the Beach Goodie Bags.  This year, Princess pajamas, Buzz & Woody pajamas and hula skirts for all!  Needless to say… it was a hit!

 

While there were many beach memories captured on film, for this post I am highlighting all the happenings of the house!  When there wasn’t a hula party going on, there was bound to be someone asking for a kayak ride!  Thankfully the grandparents graciously offered to row the kids around the creek!

99.9% of the time, the majority of our family could be found up to no good on the super duper mack daddy of a screen porch this house had!  Complete with hammock, sleeping beds, and about 10 rocking chairs, this porch saw it’s fair share of dinners, dance parties and lazy beach bums! 

Every year at the beach we do our annual birthday celebration for our July Birthdays.  There are 4 so we just knock it all out in one swoop.  Thankfully Bubba always finds a hat for him and Mamaw to rock for the celebrations and festivities!  This year was no exception!  

 

Our week was jam packed with beach trips and fishing.  Stay tuned for Pawley’s Part 2 and the Rutland Family Fun that was had! 

Happy 5 Month Birthday Baby Boy!

I know I say this every time I do a post about a month birthday but SERIOUSLY…. I really think just yesterday I was carrying this precious love home from the hospital!  It seems that with each child, time is moving faster and faster.  Someone find the pause button and push it please!!!

Baby Ben continues to be such a sweet spirit in the house!  From the bright and early wake up smiles to the warm midnight snuggles, this precious boy captures my heart more and more each day!  Rarely does he fuss or cry, and if he does, it really means something. 

So what’s new for this little man?  These days Ben is working his leg muscles extra hard for the much anticipated Roll Over.  He is close…shouldn’t be long before I have a rolly polly to gaurd from the crew!  Lately, Mr. Ben has decided sleeping with mama is much more fun than sleeping by himself, and yes, while a full night’s sleep is a rarity around here, I absolutly can not resist so I cave.  But this bed feller smells so good and gives some of the best cuddles.  I have to!  Ben is still getting a midnight bottle and I frankly am too scared to let it go so if I did would he sleep through the night???? Ummmm- not willing right now to find out!  He loves to lay on his pallets and has just been introduced to the Johnny Jump Up.  He doesn’t know it but his life just got so much more exciting by my pulling that invention out!! 

We go for his well visit once he hits 6 months so I am not sure what Ben’s weight is but I do know the kid can eat.  It is on his schedule- not mine- but when he wants to put away some food he can!  I think more than anything he is getting longer and longer.  His 6 month pajamas with footies (oh how I LOVE a footy pajama!!)  are too tight on his toes ! 

There are no words precious enough for this miracle!  Ben, you are loved by your family deeply and dearly!  Your smile makes me remember how sweet life is and how thankful I am! 

We love you Lots and Lots!

Today is REALLY the birthday!!

While it might have been hard to tell from our week long celebrating, today is the actual day Bubs turns 30!!  A milestone birthday!  Lets take a moment to look just at what Bubs has been able to accomplish by the “young” age of 30! 

By 30 he has gotten married…. 

 

 

Had a set of twins…. 

 

Fell in love with his 3rd blessing from above who has him WRAPPED….

 

Was blessed by a 4th blessing  ….

 

but sadly lost his hair!!!  

 

Happy Birthday to a wonderful daddy and husband!  We love you Lots & Lots!

 

Ben too!

Round 2

I know we are just pitiful.  Poor, poor us… that we have to pack up again and hit the road!!

Tonight, we will lay our heads down to sleep listening to the calming sounds coming from of the Pawley’s Island marsh.

I do think our “sleeping porch” will be put to great use each night!  Just look at all the places to sit and be a lazy bum!  Think I already see a mid-day snooze on that bed happening!  And probably some late night laughs too!

But I do pray that I don’t take a picture like this while on our vacay this time! ( Please note:  last year, while I was snapping a photo of an early morning fishing session- my father was debating just how to remove the hook that has gone clear through his finger!  No medical drama needed this time!)

And I can bet my bottom dollar my outdoorsy and adventuresome brother will lead us on many a kayak trip through the marshes of Pawleys!

 

I know it is a rough life we have been living lately but some momma and 4 kids have got to do it! 

Just wish Bubs was making the journey with us tomorrow too!

Still Partying

Yes friends, we are STILL throwing parties around here to celebrate Bubba’s 30th Birthday!  Every year, in the midst of the birthday celebrations for Bubs, there are also 2 other important events going on as well-  my family beach trip and the Member Member golf tournament.  Seeing as how Bubs is not going to miss a tournament and I am not going to miss a beach trip, we usually have to compromise on how birthdaying around here is done- at least for Bubs.  This being an extra special milestone year, I feel as though the partying has been cranked up to another level.  To be honest, I felt a little guilty because the kids were not invited to the festivities the other night but I wanted them to help their Daddy celebrate his 30th – so birthday partying we did again!!  Fortunately, this crowd didn’t seem to mind and it provided an entire day of entertainment so it was a win-win for us all!! 

While Bubs was at work , the kids and I decorated the kitchen.  Okay, really, I asked them if they liked were I was placing the decorations.  Thankfully Sheriff Woody and Cowgirl Barbie were around to aid in the decorating process. 

 

So together, we decorated the house for our special Birthday Daddy! 

We spent our time making Bubba’s favorite cupcakes-  lemon with lemon icing. 

And we even chose some attire to add to all the festivities! 

Finally, in the nick of time, Bess decided to join the party.  Wouldn’t you know it, she could have cared less about decorations , she just wanted to eat a cupcake!

As patiently as 3 toddlers can wait, we “hid” ourselves in the kitchen behind the counter.  Finally…. the birthday boy walked in!

He was presented with his official kid made birthday party hat!

Then the kids presented him with their cards!  Wylie was so excited about her Singing Ariel card!  Charlie has been telling Bubba for a week now, he was going to give him a “Ronnie Car” card that sang.  And Sweet Baby Bess was just as thrilled with her selection of a Dora Card! 

 

Believe it or not, this  party is still not the end for this lucky birthday boy!  While me and the kids set out for our 2nd beach trip of the summer, this Daddy has his family party to attend!  Glad these milestone b’days only come around here and there-  this partying can tire a girl out!!!

So, yet again I conclude by saying… Happy Early B’day Bubs! 

Dear Ben,

Dear Bennie Boo,

Boy you are such a trooper!  You are only 4 months old and already having your first experiences at Garden City!! If you could talk, I bet you would say you felt confined to the bouncy seat the entire trip!!  (So sorry about that one!  I felt bad for ya too!!) Each and every day you would lay back in that seat with your passy and Doggy Foo Foo and drift off.  You actually did seem to enjoy the beach thanks to your tent and shade! You really had a good attitude about it and seemed to understand that we were a little busy with all the other children in the water and sand.  Don’t worry, you will be right there with them next summer!!  More than once last week we told you that you were the “winner” for the day!  Breakfast, lunch, nap, dinner, whatever the occasion, you usually had the best attitude and continued to wow us with your adorable and precious smiles! 

I love seeing your personality come to life each and everyday!  You continue to be a wonderful baby who is happy, content and easy to manage!  You sleep like a champ, are finally eating like a champ and love love love to be hugged and cuddled!   Plus you were so freaking adorable in your bathing suit- I could hardly stand it!!! 

Ben, you are a wonderful blessing!  All my love!