"In every curving beach...

...in every grain of sand, there is the story of the earth." -Rachel Carson

Home from a wonderful week in the Turks and Caicos, I am wishing I were headed to my Eggs Benedict breakfast by the sea. The children, smelling of sunscreen, anxious to hit the water and plan the activities of the day. At this particular beach, yet again, we made our own story, some chapters filled with fun and giggles, others filled with tantrums or quiet naps, but as the story finished, it was indeed a happy ending!

Beaches Resort in Provodinciales, Turks & Caicos was our family destination again this year. While technically it is the same resort we visited last summer, there was so much new there, it sometimes felt like we were in a different place. The Patrick portion of the vacation was off to a rocky start as we were delayed by a day after a major goof at the airline ticketing counter. No worries as the weater in the T & C was nothing to write home about one day one. So Sunday, we arrived, hit the pools and were ready for adventure. Some of the highlights of the vacation were the new Pirate Island Water Park, swim-up bars around every corner, dancing to Bob Marley (Max and Thomas, not me), Nanny getting second place in her own reggae dance contest, "Cookie and Elmo," the character parade, and much much more.

It was impossible to choose which pictures to post so here's a little slideshow...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Peace

OK, so these quiet moments, where both kids are content, not fighting and screaming at each other, and dare I say ENJOYING each other's company peacefully, do not happen very often and are worth preserving in a photograph!

Class of 2022

This afternoon, Kinsey's preschool held their school musical and graduation ceremony. Each of the seven classes of children wore different colored tie-dyed shirts and came out individually to sing a song. Kinsey's class sang Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and all the students did amazing memorizing the words and the sign language to the alphabet. It was obvious how much time and effort the teachers and kids put into the performance. After all the classes pronounced their graduates, the whole gang (140 kids) stacked up on the risers together for a few more songs. She was so precious and you could just see the excitement in her eyes. After it was all said and done, we were able to get a wonderful shot with Kinsey and her favorite (and very photogenic!) teachers, Mrs. Donna and Mrs. Terri. Man, are we going to miss them and this wonderful school next year! Afterwards, both sets of grandparents came over for a yummy graduation meal and cake, courtesy of Nanny and Papadad (and their party last night.)

Congratulations, my sweet baby girl! We are so proud of you! I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

Tomorrow, the Blast has their last soccer game of the season (weather permitting) and the rest of this week will be all about getting packed and ready for our big trip to the Turks and Caicos this coming weekend. Summer, here we come!!!

Blast Bash

Today, our soccer team had its end-of-the-year party after our game. Kinsey and I made cupcakes with soccer balls on them and little goody bags for the players and my team was so sweet and surprised me with precious cards they made and a gift certificate to Academy--woo hoo! Anyway, the kids were all so excited at the party and were too cute playing with each other. It has been a challenge to coach 7 four- and five-year-olds, but it was such great fun and so rewarding and I sure am going to miss these little boogers!

Berry Good Tuesday

Only 8 more days until it's officially summer and tonight we hit the strawberry patch for the first of what will be several trips in the coming weeks. It was a perfect night for picking--sunny, breezy and only a handful of others. Afterwards, we hit Cali & Tito's, a fun little outdoor dining joint, for the first time. Good eats! Now, what to do with all of these strawberries???

She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain

To celebrate Mother's Day this year, Jack and I decided to take the kids on our first family camping trip. Yesterday afternoon, we packed up the gear and headed about 20 miles out of town to a great camp spot. We lucked up with a perfect site right next to the bathhouse and the playground. After we pitched the tent and got set up, Jack grilled us some yummy burgers and dogs, then made some homemade ice cream for dessert. The churn was actually the only electricity we used, which was a proud accomplishment! After supper, we gathered sticks and built a fire to make S'mores and then we all piled in the tent for a story and bedtime. The birds (oh yeah, and Max) woke us up at 6:15 and I was treated with some wonderful Mother's Day gifts. Chef Jack outdid himself at the grill again with pancakes, eggs and bacon for breakfast. After a quick shower and some playground time, we hit the trail for a scavenger hunt-type hike through the woods. It was really cute and the kids both enjoyed hunting for the numbered markers and seeing what each meant. Back at camp, we enjoyed one last grilled meal, broke it all down, and headed back home for a quiet Mother's Day afternoon. With all the busy schedules, tiring chores and frustrations that motherhood (and fatherhood) bring with them, a day like today makes me so grateful for all that my own parents did and continue to do, but also makes me realize how very precious a gift God has granted on all of us who are parents. True, unconditional love can really be seen in the eyes of someone saying "Mommy" and it is AMAZING! Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing women out there who receive this blessing!

Max and Kinsey are ready to set up camp

Our camp site

After they all helped collect sticks, the kids were eager to help start the fire

Max chillin' roasting his marshmallow

One last wrestle before bedtime

Pancake breakfast

Max taking a break on our hike

Kinsey posing for a shot

Sweet children!

Friday Pool Fun

I can't believe we are down to the 10-day countdown point. Summertime is only TWO WEEKS away. Last weekend, I took the kids to the pool and taught Max how to swim in a life jacket and was so relieved that he seemed to enjoy the concept. So Friday night, we went to the pool with the Griners, ordered some pizza and had a fun time. Mr. "Baby Bish" as he called himself really got brave in the water, and of course hammed it up with the pink goggles! The only problem is we still are having a hard time finding earplugs to stay in to protect his ear tubes. For once, HE'S actually not the trouble, too! Anyway, all four monkeys had a wonderful night and wore themselves out!

Derby Days

Another fun weekend with highlights including Relay for Life, more soccer and Homecoming at church! And while I didn't actually get to go to Kentucky for the Derby like SOME people I know, we did get to go to a really cute party at Mom and Dad's neighborhood equestrian center at Lake Keowee. The staff did a great job with a very yummy menu of ribs, salmon and crab wraps and of course Mint Juleps and Derby Pie! A big screen TV was set up right in the middle of the stable and a bluegrass band capped off the evening. The kids had a good time visiting the resident donkeys and swinging on the rope horse swing, but didn't really get into the party until late when the music picked up. Or it could've been after they'd both had one too many Bourban Balls for dessert! Max was hysterical dancing first with his bottle of Coke, then with any lady who would glance his way. The best was after every song was over, he'd go around the crowd (and I mean the WHOLE crowd) and give everyone a high five like he was famous or something. He was definitely a big ham and loved the attention! As an added bonus, we got to "sleep in" until the late, late hour of 8 this morning!