It's time to party

Growing up, I always remember that my parents made a big deal out of mine and my brother's birthdays and made us feel really special for a day and that is exactly the same thing I hope to do for my girls. I know that she is only 3 and probably won't remember exactly the type of party or who was there but I hope when she looks back, she remembers that her Mom and Dad made her birthday a special time for her. 

In starting to think about her party, I knew that our house was probably not going to work. Her number of friends has grown and so have their younger siblings so 15+ kids and their parents in our house is just too tight so after attending a birthday park at the local park this spring, I thought what better place to hold her party than the park. Well, the plan was set, we would hold the party the Sunday morning after we arrived home from the beach so that DeeDee and Papa could come to Charlotte with us and see the queen bee on her party day. Come Sunday morning, we wake up to rain and not just a little drizzle, I am talking a huge thunderstorm and torrential downpours. So, about this time, I am thinking, why did you plan an outside party and by the way, when is the last time it actually thunder stormed in the morning??? So, unfortunately, we had to change the party date which meant that DeeDee and Papa would miss it but luckily most of her other friends could still make it a couple days later.

Getting ready to head to the party.

I did the sunshine dance all day hoping we would avoid rain and about 3pm that day, the sky turned dark and I began to panic but someone was looking out for us because it stayed dry and the rain stayed away. It was actually a little cool and not very buggy which was great for August.

Ella was my sous chef helping me frost all the cupcakes and of course no princess can have cupcakes without princess cupcake wrappers and crowns for the top!

We love this little neighborhood park, it's right up the street, very shady with lots of trees and never too crowded. This particular night we had it to ourselves and the kids loved running around. They played on the monkey bars, went on the swings and of course the slides were a big hit.

 And sometimes climbing back up them can be as much fun as going down them.

Ella and Allie

Ladder climbing with Wesley

Soaking it all up

Ella, Allie and Anne

Even the littlest ones had a ball at the party. Maddie and Braelyn are just 3 months apart but they look about 6-9 months different but they had a blast swinging together. Tracey and I hope that these two growing up will be as close as their sisters are!

After all the playing on the playground, sometimes you need to take a break and so I had these butterfly and bear masks for the kids to color and then wear around. Some kids loved it and colored for awhile and others, like Ella, colored for about 3 minutes and then decided she was done! Her only requirement that I write her name on it so we would know it was hers. Don't worry Ella, I don't think anyone is going to steal the mask with two scribbles on it! But nonetheless she was very proud of her creation and wore the mask around for several days after the party!

As usual, Maddie was along for the ride and just happy to have anyone hold her. We played pass the babies around since there were so many of them.

This little one, Annie was the youngest at 3 months old.

 After mask coloring, it was back to swings for some more play before dinner and cupcakes.

The kids all ate pizza but had their eye on the cupcakes the entire time. Ella was so excited and had been asking all day long if she could have a cupcake. She just loved having all the attention on her while her friends sang to her.

 And now to blow out the big 3 candle!

The party was a smashing success and no one wanted to leave but finally it was time to say goodbyes and head home.

It wasn't the party we had envisioned and Mother Nature had a different plan but this little girl had a great day and I hope she always remember how special she is on this day and everyday. Happy 3rd birthday Ella James!

Take me to beach beach, let's go get away

Every trip should have a theme song and our theme for our Seabrook trip was definitely Nicki Minaj's Starships song.  And what better theme song to have than one that starts with "Let's go to the beach beach, Let's go get away" because that is exactly what we did! (I have some video of Ella singing and dancing to this song that I am working on so stayed tuned for that as well.)

We had such a fun week down at Seabrook and it all started when we got to go watch the PGA Championship at Kiawah. The guys went Saturday afternoon and got to watch a little bit before it was rained out. Lucky for me, that meant I got to see all the best golfers Sunday morning.

The course was beautiful and the weather was amazing. And thanks to DeeDee for babysitting the girls, Mike and I got to go together to an event, a rare luxury for us these days!

Before we came home, we had to swing by the gift shop and pick something up for our soon to be birthday girl! Now, Ella and Mommy have matching hats!

Our littlest one has grown up so much from our last beach trip in May. She loved every minute of being at the beach and soaking in the warm fresh air. She took great naps and slept great at night, such a difference from 3 months ago.

Once the golf was over, we had to go down to the ocean and check out the water. Looks like the new hat is working well.

Monday was a special day at the beach. Our little princess turned three years old! I don't think there is any better place to spend your third birthday than Seabrook Island in the sunshine. It was a big day and she insisted she start it by sporting her new Cindrella dress. Then, we spent the morning at the beach. We got this new raft which she named Roby LLP. Don't ask, we have no idea where the name came from but she called him Roby all week and eventually we all started to referring to the duck float as Roby

Post lunch cupcakes and even Maddie joined us down at the beach for the fun.

That night, we continued to celebrate miss Ella James with some more sweet treats, this time cupcakes with chocolate frosting. They were a hit and before finishing out the night, one last time in the Cindrella dress to prove she really is a princess. All in all, I would say the birthday was a big success!

Loving on her Uncle Court

The rest of the week we spent mornings on the beach and then the pool following afternoon naps. We lucked out and had incredible weather. The sun was shining everyday and it wasn't too hot which is a real treat in August.

Maddie got experience a first as well, her first trip to the bar! And of course, it was with her Uncle Court. The pool has a restaurant and bar so after swimming, we would all enjoy a nice cold cocktail. Ella really enjoyed her "water" one as well.

One night for happy hour, we drove up to the local marina to have a drink and enjoy some live music. The setting is beautiful, right on the inter coastal waterway with tons of boats (even Tiger Woods boat, see below!). No happy hour is complete with the perfect attire. Cute dress, check. Bow in the hair, check. Panda bear sunglasses, check. Ok, we are ready to dance and party.

As usual, Maddie Grace was just along for the ride and happy.

The singer was pretty good and as soon as the music started, Ella couldn't wait to jump up and start dancing. She immediately recruited Miss Laura to dance with her first.

DeeDee and Maddie joined in the fun as well.

Ella easily switched dancing partners once someone got tired. This child could spend all day and night dancing, she loves it!

Shake the hips!

Uncle Court getting her ready for UGA's date functions

Post dancing, back at home

And yes, we did bring our first born furry child with us as well and as usual, she had a blast running along the beach and splashing in the waves. Before we had kids and when we would vacation, almost all the pictures would be of Dakota, now there are only a few but rest assured, she had a great time.

So, Thursday morning, we were sitting on the deck waiting for the clouds to break so we could venture down to the beach and we noticed a large yacht sailing behind the house. After closer look, we realized it was Tiger Woods yacht, Privacy that was parked up at the marina all week for the golf tournament. The boat was huge and had a helicopter landing on it. We don't think he was on it but it was pretty neat to see it sail right behind the house.

Everyone's part of the day is happy hours spent on the back deck watching the incredible sunsets. 

Friday morning we attempted a mini photo shoot. Of course we picked the hottest and brightest day so we were all squinting a little bit and trying to get two kids to look and smile at the camera is nearly impossible. But I think some of them turned out pretty adorable.

Checking out the sailboat with Daddy

No more pictures, I just want to run!

My sweet Maddie, how are you already 6 months old.

DeeDee and papa got the girls these adorable dresses that perfect for the photos.

Papa with his girls

We are always waiting on Uncle Court to get ready!

Finally he arrived for one last photo. 

It was a great trip and as always we were sad to say goodbye and leave the beautiful ocean views and amazing sunsets but hopefully we will return shortly.