4th of July Festivities

We had one of our best 4th of July weeks this year! It was the longest we have been at the beach all together and the time flew!

The kids and I left the day before Ryan and the unthinkable happened. We made it through an almost 2 hour trip with no tears, no tantrums, no toilet stops and no television!  Those who know me well know that this was a big deal and worthy of a selfie to remember it :) Such an improvement from two years ago when A and K literally cried the ENTIRE 2 hour trip. 

Our first day we picked up Georgia and headed to the movie theater to see the $ movie because the Lego movie was playing.  Andrew and Kate didn't make it very long this time. 

Kate fell asleep for 10 mins on the way home from the movie which meant she then refused to nap. She was excited to be included in the cookie decorating/making.  

You can imagine the amount of flour on the floor by the end. 

Winding down for bed and watching a show together.  

These two were AWFUL about staying in their beds this trip.  Climbing out, tearing books, playing with the blinds, getting in each other's beds. I could go on and on. 

It did make for some entertainment on the monitor

Early morning rainbow!

Playtime with Vivi 

Andrew is ready to kayak! 

We discovered you can also stand up paddle board on the kid kayak 

Practicing waving their flags for the parade 

After the parade we walked over to the 4th of July party. It is always so so hot. We immediately got a Kona ice. 

Harrison was actually very excited about this corn dog.  To quote him "Mom why don't you ever buy me corn dogs when you know they are my favorite?!" 

Kate LOVED getting her face painted but was ticked she couldn't have both sides. 

We love it when there are tidal pools on the beach. The kids were content to play in them for a long time!

Its amazing how much more Andrew and Kate like the beach this summer compared to last 

Taking turns on the boogie board 

I got a picture of this cutie on her first 4th of July! 

Ready for fireworks! Harrison is not a fan of loud noises. 

James and Tia having a night time game of soccer with the glow in the dark ball 

Harrison ended up watching the fireworks, inside, with his ear phones on lol. 

The three big kids went to camp for a day on the island and the three little kids had a play date at David and Greer's house 

This girl insisted on wearing her headband like this and spent half the time "talking" on her phone. 

So tired from swimming that you have to eat your lunch laying down! 

Picture from James at camp that day 

That night the big boys went to play Bingo with Nene and Pappy and the rest of us had Chinese take out night. 

Ready for Bingo! Pappy's card won! 

When it was time to go Kate said, "I'm going to follow you back to the beach house in my pink car" 

Time for the pool again! James had been begging for flippers since he used them for swim team practice 

Ready to bike back home 

Time for a boat ride 

We had a hilarious experience of all trying to swim in the middle of the sound together 

At one point all four kids were hanging on me and I started to sink, even with my life jacket on. It was crazy chaos!

Made it back to the beach house!  

Adults only dinner!

One morning Andrew and Kate got up really early, like around 5:45.  I was going to put them in the stroller and go for a walk but then decided to just walk on the beach. I'm so glad I did- the sunrise was beautiful! 

Helping Nene "paint the bread" 

We decided we needed another kayak for Harrison and of course we had to choose orange. 

Kate REALLY wanted to ride with James which seemed like a good idea until he took off far away with her on the front and I got just a little nervous...

Poor Harrison got stuck in the marsh so Ryan had to tow him back to the dock 

Our last day we did something we have never done before- we left all the kids with the men and just the girls went to lunch! It was the perfect way to end the week!!!