Tybee Island Tradition

Well, we kept up our Tybee Island tradition this year...even if our main reason for heading to the island (the Beach Bum Parade) was postponed due to the ongoing pandemic.  Despite the delayed event, because we still had a condo rental, the beach provides lots of space for social distancing, AND we needed to get out of our four walls oh-so badly, we made the trip. And I'm so glad we did.

(Sidenote: It's difficult not knowing for how long nearly every single one of my posts will start out with some impact of "the ongoing pandemic". Months?  Years? Time will tell...)

The kids knew just what to do when we hit the beach:  shells, waves, screeching with joy. (And screeching with terror - poor Wesley is still not a fan of the surf and much prefers to spend his time in the tidal pools. And instead of the swimming pool, he prefers to hang with me and the snack bag!)

We stayed in the same condo as last year, and of course the kiddos remembered that it provides beautiful views of the ocean AND the colony of stray cats in the dunes.  We spent a ton of time on the balcony, listening to waves (and meows).

Chillaxing 

how is she so tall!?

Some of our dear friends and neighbors came to Tybee as well, and - since we have all been quarantined and careful - we allowed ourselves to enjoy the time together.  Although we're committed to whatever it takes to contain the virus, we're also opening up a bit to friends and family.  You know, the things that make life worth living!! 

So, so glad we broke quarantine with this crew. They are so fun, so sweet, and the kiddos all get along so well. 

And then this crew of mine. Love them, too.  :)

Funny-ish story: the kiddos were fascinated by this bird (below) and wanted me to take a picture and then ask Grammy and Gran Gran to identify it for us.  So I did, sent to them, and asked "what kind of bird is this, skimming the water" (because I had no clue). Folks, it's called a Skimmer.  The knack for birding obviously skipped a generation.

OH, and another "funny" story involved the below. We came up on this retired couple stomping down a pile of sand, in an effort to protect sea turtle mamas and her hatchlings. So, of course, I jump into action and got the kids to help.  We smashed the pile and saved the turtles!  (The other adults stood by laughing at the whole spectacle, but a quick google search when I got home proved this to be legit!)

Although we had spent nearly the entire day at the beach, playing and laughing and lounging, there is just something about a sunset stroll...

So maybe not the full weekend we envisioned when we booked the condo last year, but one that did the heart and soul some good. I hear the Beach Bum parade is now in August, so - who knows - we may be running back to you soon, Tybee Island!!

(Also, here's the post from 2018 and then 2019.  These kiddos are growing too fast!)

Mother's Day!

My sweet family spoiled me this Mother's Day. We may not have been able to do our usual (church, forced pictures after church, Country Club, etc), but James and the kiddos still made it special.  Although there was an offer of quiet, alone time for the day, I found myself preferring us all together - even though our kiddos have been ticks lately, and I can't even remember the last time I went to the bathroom by myself!!  #motherhood

So what did we do? Not much of anything. They let me sleep in till 745AM, we had coffee and screentime on the porch listening to birds, they spoiled me with gifts, we went for a walk, we played frisbee, we took rests, we went to DQ (and at ice creams in the car) and then James made homemade pizzas on the grill.  In between that we just enjoyed a beautiful day outside.  Middle Georgia is actually experiencing a Spring, with cool-ish temperatures before the summer heat arrives.  Since we're all stuck at home in quarantine, God decided to bless us with this weather perfection so we can spend the days outside in our yard.

I love this family of mine.  I absolutely love being a mother to these three. It's the greatest joy and blessing of my life.   They make me laugh, they keep me on my toes, they create so much noise and chaos and fun each day - and we wouldn't have it any other way. :)

Things You Do While Quarantined: Haircuts

Normally I would never, ever attempt to cut my children's hair, especially as I've had ZERO training (other than what I've watched while holding down our screaming boys at the barber shops). However, desperate times and all, last Sunday I decided that a home hair cut couldn't possibly look worse than the shaggy style they were sporting!

Although clippers are currently out of stock on every single website, lo and behold the Roses up the street happened to still have a $10 Conair set that came with guards and some (super dull) scissors.  So there you go, we were in business.

I started with Wesley, and he immediately put up quite the fight.  He doesn't like haircuts anyway, but the prospect of a novice like Mama touching his beautiful blonde locks...just too much for him to take.  Even a tootsie pop didn't help the situation.

Fortunately James was able to hold his head, and then I had my little sidekick ready to step in at a moment's notice.

(And, yes, you better believe we've hid the clippers, because I don't put it past Miss M to completely shave her little brother bald when no one is paying attention...)

(Also, if this quarantine lasts much longer, I may be highlighting my own hair. Geez Louise, my roots!!  I'm so jealous of Wesley's color!)

And, now for Wesley's reveal - not terrible!  I mean, there are definitely some patches where you can tell he didn't get a professional cut, but all in all pretty good.  

Next up: JB.  He was a little less hesitant when he realized I didn't cueball his brother, and sat pretty still and let me do my thing. I mean, by haircut #2, I felt close to professional, you know?  

JB's super thick, super straight hair is a little bit more forgiving then his bother's blonde wispies, so his turned out pretty well!

Now, Maryn definitely needs a cut, too, but I'm not about to touch her pretty red hair.  I do, however, spend a whole bunch of time working on my French braid game!  

Part of me wants to keep learning how to cut the boys' hair, simply because a trip to the barber or salon with them is always dramatic.  A quick trim outside on our backyard patio on a Sunday afternoon was more relaxed. I've been watching lots of YouTube videos to up my styling game, and I'll see if they will let me try my hand at it again!