Myrtle Beach - Spring 2013 - Day 1

Ahhhhhh............we just returned from our weekend getaway to Myrtle Beach.  It was GREAT!  Our first time there and we will be returning.  4 1/2 hours = ocean, beach, sun, relaxation!!

Our friends Gil & Rebecca joined us with their 3 kids.  We stayed at Dunes Village Resort in a 3 bedroom Angle Oceanfront Deluxe Condo - full kitchen, washer/dryer, 2 balconies - just what we needed. The  The resort had lots to do - we didn't even check it all out.  Next time!  What we did enjoy was the indoor water park, outdoor pools, corn hole game, mini golf, drinks from the outdoor bar and of course the Starbuck's in the lobby.  The place is quite large!  

We laughed a ton (thanks Gil), ate a bunch, sunned ourselves, relaxed, played games, read magazines, walked the beach and truly enjoyed ourselves.  Pictures say it all......     

On the road to MB

The 3 girl's room
(boys slept on sleeper sofa in living room)

Kitchen / Dining Room / Living Room

Gil & Bec's room

View from our private balcony - our unit had 2

Our Room

Checking out the view

We listened to the ocean all night as the waves crashed....
love that!

Ready for the water!

Girl Time!

All the kids
Gilbert, Claudia, Abigail, Sophia & Calvin

Our beauties

They couldn't get enough of the waves!

Me & Abigail

Josh & Me chillin

View of our resort from the beach

Gil & Josh

Collecting little crabs & shells

Building & Creating

Posing.....cute!

All the kids in front of
Myrtle 2013 Beach

Ab

Soph

Soaking up the rays

Gil & Bec

Our attempt at jumping picture

Me & Bec

Burying Sophia

EXHAUSTED after all the water
Had dinner, showered, jammies & now computer time

Reading Whiz

See this girl?  

Well, she is amazing......I know this isn't a revelation.  But let me tell you why I say this today.  

While at work, my phone rang and it was Mrs. Surratte (Abby's teacher).  She asked if I had a moment.....and to be honest, I was a little nervous.  Then she said Abby wanted to tell me something......again, nervous.  Ab came on the phone and excitedly said "I'm reading on level K!"  Oh, I was so happy for her and proud of her.  All Kindergartners should be reading on level G by the end of the year.  And here she is reading FOUR levels past that.  

After chatting a little more with Ab, her teacher came back on and said how proud she was of Abigail.  It made me beam of course!  Immediately I called Josh and gave him the great update.

Love getting & making these kind of calls!

Ab ~ you amaze us ~ keep up the great work!!!! 

Baker

Sophia loves to bake!  She'll just look a recipe up on-line and run with it.  This time it was vanilla cupcakes.  Auntie Susannah gave the girls frosting & cute baking cups, so she was all set.

They were YUMMY!  Thanks sweetie for making these and baking other things for us.

Little Read ~ Rules

Our school district participated in the Little Read program through a partnership with Lenoir-Rhyne University.  The mission is to make reading come alive to elementary school children and their families with the appearance of a major children's author.  Students read the book, saw a play of it and then created an original work of art or wrote about an important theme in the book.  Sophia was selected as one of three winners for her school and was recognized on stage during a celebration ceremony with the author Cynthia Lord.  It was a proud parent moment (actually I had tears as Cynthia spoke about the book).  Over 1,000 were in attendance.  

Hearing directly from the author on this important topic (family in which one child has autism and exploring the family dynamics) was touching and moving.  

Sophia is such a kind, thoughtful person; we are so proud of her!!!  

Love you honey!!!!

Outside L-R University with the copy of her book

Her work of art

Our family with Pops & Grandma

Sophia on stage
Other districts participated as well

Sophia & author Cynthia Lord at the book signing

Spring Break 2013

The first week in April was Spring Break.  We jammed a lot into the days off; playdates, time with Grandma & Pops, painting pottery @ Bisque & Beads, Science Center, Library, feeding the ducks, bowling and to top it off......a big sleepover!  Below is a sampling of pictures.  

@ Glenn Hilton Park

Strolling along

The ducks loved the bread & crackers

Even coming pretty close!

The squirrel too!

Sister helping sister who was tired out

Science Center
Sophia & Aiden

Abby with the animals

Some of our group

Abby & Miles picked right up playing together

Sophia & Claudia

Sleepover!!!
Playing Headbanz - so fun!

5 girls + our 2 = LOUD FUN

Pizza before bowling

Movie time

Some painting nail

Some playing Barbies

Friends