Sand, Surf and Fun

I am a planner.  Pure and simple.

I like lists.  I like checking off my lists.  I have a calendar at home where everyone has their own block on each day.  I even plan out meals for the week in advance.  I use my calendar on my phone/laptop religiously.

Knowing this about me only further highlights the craziness of me planning a VERY last second trip to the beach with my mom and four boys.  We decided the day before we left to call and get a room at the beach.  Mom called her time share place and found a three bedroom condo on the beach at North Myrtle Beach, SC.  I packed up the boys and drove to Mom's house on Monday (six hours).  Tuesday morning, we hit the road and drove about 3.5 hours to the beach.  It was rainy and cloudy that day.

We had a little situation getting our room - switched rooms and settled in with a movie.

Wednesday and Thursday it wasn't hot, but warm enough to be on the beach.  The boys had a big time playing in the ocean and digging in the sand.  We played football and soccer on the beach.  The boys rode the waves.  Jake and I walked along the shore.  He DOES NOT like the water.  It was hilarious to watch him running away from the water as it came into the shore.

The boys enjoyed the outdoor infinity pool and the lazy river.  The water was a little chilly for my liking.

The condo had a free DVD machine like a red box.  We took turns renting movies and everyone got to pick one.  We watched Ice Age 4, The Lorax, Here Comes the Boom and Parental Guidance.

Friday we drove home - the whole way.  What should have been 9.5 -10 hours was almost 13.  I was questioning my "spontaneity" at that point!!!!  We hit construction and traffic in Asheville and outside of Knoxville.  My nerves were completely shot by the time I pulled in my driveway.  As far as the boys were concerned, it was totally fun!  I guess that is what really counts.

I needed a break from our Fall Break.  It didn't happen.  We are FULL SCALE involved in a complete demolition and remodel of our kitchen and dining area.

Here are some pictures from our trip:

Noah has NO FEAR and could care less that the water was chilly.

Playing cooperatively for a time......until Jake messed up what they were building :)

Jake had a big time digging in the sand and walking on the beach.  He walked up to an older lady and handed her a shell.  She came back by later and said that made her day.

Noah enjoyed playing football and being in the water.

Finding JOY in Little Things

We went to the grocery story tonight as a family.  We were already out and I needed a few groceries.

I make it a point to NEVER take all four boys to the store unless I just need a few things.  Greg said he'd take two and I could take two and we'd divide the list.

I ended up with Noah :)

He tends to get a little distracted in stores.  Tonight was no exception.

As we zipped through the produce section, he grabbed a plastic bag, thinking I'd need it.  I didn't.  He kept it and proceeded to bounce it up and around all through the store like a bag.  I grew irritated with him.  WHY?  I don't know.......maybe I just want my kids to be quiet and walk demurely through the grocery store.  Unrealistic expectation?  Sure.

Once we got to the car though, a thought struck me.............why don't I find more ways to exact JOY in situations?  Noah had more fun with that silly bag and he wasn't bumping into other people or causing a scene.  He was finding a way to make a routine trip to the grocery store fun.  Perhaps I could do more to find ways to make my routine activities a little livelier!