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.

3 Years Old

I can't really wrap my head around it. How is my little baby, my sweet tiny tiny baby already 3 years old?? In my head, I still picture her as this little baby that was fashionably late.

I still picture her as this one year old, just learning to walk. The one who smashed her entire cake into face at her first birthday.

I still picture her as this sweet, curious two year old. Boy, I didn't realize what a big year two was and how much you would grow doing this year.

But, no matter how I picture you as a small baby or small toddler, there is no denying that you aren't small anymore. No, you are definitely my big girl and how proud are you that you are finally 3!!

Having an August birthday can be tough. We have been to all of your school friends and neighborhood friends birthday parties and after each one, you would ask me, "when is my birthday Mommy?" So, Daddy taught you that your birthday was August 13th and you would tell everyone proudly that you were turning 3 on August 13th with three fingers in the air.

And the day finally arrived, August 13th and you, my little big girl were lucky enough to spend your special day at our special place, Seabrook. What better place to spend the day than playing on the beach all morning, followed by an afternoon at the pool only to have an encore of chocolate cupcakes with 3 pink candles of course! And to be honest, it really wasn't just a single day celebration, we celebrated you and being three pretty much all week long.

I really can't believe how much you have grown over the past year. Just last night, we were looking back at pictures of you on your second birthday and when you started your first day of preschool last fall and you were still a small toddler and had a lot of baby still left in you. But now you are such a little person and you are nothing short of personality.

Two was a big, huge year for you. You started preschool just after you turned two and what a great experience that was for you. You learned it was not only ok to be away from Mommy but that you actually had fun and you had amazing teachers and met some fun new friends. You became independent with school and the teachers taught you how to communicate and share with your friends and also do many things on your own.

At two, you also became potty trained, hooray. You were actually the first in your class to become potty trained in your class and then your other friends wanted to follow your lead. And being a leader is something we learned from your teachers is something that you really enjoy.

At two, the biggest change to your life is you became a big sister. And while there have been a few moments of jealously, overall you have embraced this new phase so unbelievable. Your Dad and I are so proud of how much you love your little sister from the first moment you met her. And she just adores you and wants to look and laugh at you all day long. One of my greatest hopes in life is that you two will always share a close bond like you do now.

At two, your mind and vocabulary has just expanded more than I could have ever imagined. You have a memory like an elephant. You will remember someone you met 6 months ago or can precisely tell me the last time you wore a certain dress and what we did that day and what you had for lunch. You ask "why?" a hundred times a day. You want to know anything and everything all the time. Daddy and I have to be very careful about what we talk about and need to start talking in code because you are definitely on to us! I just love to see your mind work and your imagination go wild these days. At the beach, your favorite game was getting all of Papa's CDs and playing "store" with them. And luckily for Papa, all the CDs at your store were $4 so he could afford them.

Of course, two also meant tantrums and boy did you have your fair share of them (and continue to I might add) but I know a lot of that comes with the territory and usually about 5 minutes after having a tantrum, you are laughing again. Remember, Mommy told you were three now, so you can end the terrible two tantrums!! You definitely challenge your Daddy and I each day but when we look up at that sweet face and big blue eyes, we can't help but smile.

I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for you and us and can't wait to see you to continue to grow and learn. You are so loved little (big) girl and I hope you always know that. Happy 3 years old to our Ella James! (now, stop growing up so fast)

Summer Lovin

It's hard to believe that it is already August 7th, where did July go? And even harder to believe in less than a week, Ella will be 3 years old! Where did the last 3 years go? In the meantime, we have been having lots of fun and enjoying this hot, sticky summer!

Ella loves picking out her own clothes, no shocker there but lately also loves to pick out Maddie's clothes as well. And whenever they have something that matches, she wants them to dress just alike. Here they are getting ready for our next beach trip sporting their Seabrook turtle shirts.

A couple weeks ago, we went to meet Mike at work for lunch. We met at a spot that has a wishing well and Ella really wanted to throw in her own coin and make a wish. I am sure she wished for more Ariel toys!

After lunch, they love to ride the escalator or "alligator" as Ella calls it.

Can you say diva much? Ella got these new "hipster" glasses at her dance class and she made this pose all on her own. I mean seriously, is she ready for Hollywood and paparazzi or what? And the glasses look even better when you leave the sticker on them!

Last week was a big adventure for us. I drove down to Atlanta with both girls by myself for the first time. Mike had a busy week and we had been trying to find a time to go, so I decided that it was time to make the trip solo. The car rides went pretty well, there were some challenges like bathroom stops and what to do when both girls were crying and I couldn't do anything because I was driving but we made it. And the way home was great actually, mostly because Maddie slept for over 3 hours and Ella got new dvds which kept her pretty entertained.

While we were down there, we kept busy by checking out a children's museum. Uncle Court joined us while DeeDee stayed home with Maddie so she could take a morning nap. Ella had a blast catching fish, shopping for groceries, building blocks and even riding a big tractor.

The girls loved spending lots of time with DeeDee, Papa, Uncle Court and even Great Grammy who was there recuperating after she had a fall and dislocated her shoulder. I think seeing Ella again and meeting Maddie for the first time was the best medicine for her.

Maddie loved meeting her Great Grammy and luckily Maddie is a very laid back baby because even though Grammy's left arm was in a sling, Maddie sat there happy and calm in her lap in her right arm.

One way to beat the hot air is to jump into the pool. Ella is getting more and more brave each time we go to the pool and this day, she kept jumping off the side.

Papa getting some last minute snuggles and kisses from Maddie Grace. And check out that thumb, we officially have a full on thumb sucker and I actually love it. I am sure breaking the habit in a couple years will be brutal but now anytime she is fussy or wakes up in the middle of the night, she just puts that thumb in and immediately settles down.

Daddy definitely missed his girls while we were away. On Saturday, Ella went to Kayla's spa birthday party and this one was a kid only party so we had the rare luxury of only having Maddie so we took advantage and went out to eat.

When we went to go pick up Ella, this was the scene. How sweet are these girls, love them! And yes, Ella immediately had to put on a princess dress for the party.

Future rock n roller!

Below are just some fun pictures from the recent weeks!

Enjoying ice cream after lunch!

I could take pictures of these two all day long. Ella wants to hold Maddie all the time and Maddie takes it all in with a smile on her face!

We went to a splash ground that we used to go to all the time last summer but haven't been to yet this summer. Ella was her normal tentative self in the beginning but then quickly warmed up to it and had a blast.

Happy girl playing inside in the cool AC