Bakewell Beach Week 2023

The Bakewell Beach Week always goes by in a blink! As we're packing up to head home, it feels like it will be forever before we are back, but sure enough, the third week of July arrives, and we are on our way to Ocean Isle once again. Boomer, the kids, and I rode along with Grammy and Grandpa, and even though it was a tight squeeze with all the luggage and beach supplies, we managed to fit. The drive takes a little over 5 hours, with a stop for lunch. When we arrived on the island, we soon made our way over to the beach to see the water. We didn't stay too long, and then we came back to the house for some pool time and Domino's Pizza for dinner. After dinner, Mom, Meg, and I did the dreaded task of grocery shopping for the week. It was relatively painless, and we knocked it out as quickly as we could. 

Like in past years, we settled into a routine each morning with daily runs/walks for the Bakewell women, then breakfast, and over to the beach. Most days, we got out to the beach around 10AM. Emmy was so excited to collect seashells and would be content digging in the sand for hours. Eli was a little less than thrilled about the waves coming up to his feet. This general attitude continued for the first part of the week, although over time, he was eventually coerced into walking in the tide pools and going in to the water up to his ankles. His favorite activity was playing baseball. I can't even count how many pitches we all collectively threw over the week! On one of our beach days, the kiddos got their Sunset Slush from Grandpa. They remembered how Grandpa has bought it in the past, and they were sure to remind him this year. We all kept our eyes peeled for the yellow and black umbrella cart coming down the beach. Emmy got an extra treat on a day that she stayed later at the beach with Grammy and Grandpa than the boys. Can you say spoiled? :)

On Thursday morning, Boomer and I had our annual run date to the Drift Coffee Shop on the island. While we were gone, Grammy took all four kiddos on their annual nature walk. They discovered lots of wildlife and even a golf ball. 

In the afternoons, we would migrate back to the house to hang out at the pool. Eli still needs a nap most days, so he would nap while the bigger kids would swim. And speaking of swimming, Emmy really improved this week! She was swimming with her face under the water and jumping off of the side. After swimming, there would be some downtime. The kiddos especially loved playing on the new set of bunk beds. There would also be a little bit of technology time. 

Doing work just like Daddy

Boomer had to make a trip home to Winston on Monday for the state CTE conference. We were sad to lose him for a day, but it was pretty neat to find out that he had been selected as the Piedmont Triad CTE Director of the Year. We are so proud of him! When he returned, he was back to fulltime Beach Dad.

For our "dress up" nights, we stuck to our usual favorites of Inlet View in Shallotte on Sunday evening and Dockside in Calabash on Wednesday evening. We cooked at the house on the other nights: hamburgers & hotdogs on Monday, tacos on Tuesday, and Mom's famous shrimp and grits on Thursday night.  On Friday night, we ordered take-out from Sharky's and also finished off the leftovers in the fridge. 

A few nights after dinner, we had an impromptu dance party, hosted by Emmy. She gave out invitations, and then she led the dancing and the games. Uncle Zack played the music from his big speaker, and craziness would ensue. Even Grandpa joined in on the dancing! After several songs and intense games of Uno, we would then have to calm everyone down again before bedtime. 

Throughout the week, Boomer and I took our usual evening beach stroll. On the night that we decided to walk all the way to the pier (about a mile away), there was a huge thunderstorm that popped up, and we barely made it home in time, mostly thanks to a good Samaritan on a golf cart that gave us a ride for the last half mile. It was an adventure! But we enjoyed that evening time of walking together. 

There were some treats, too! In addition to Sunset Slush on the beach, Grandpa surprised us with donuts one morning from a small cafe just across the bridge called Spilt Milk. We had ice cream from Calabash Creamery after our dinner at Dockside. There was also our usual stop on the way home at Kalawi Farms for some homemade ice cream. I got a banana pudding milkshake; Emmy got a scoop of birthday cake; and Boomer and Eli shared peach cobbler topped with White Peach ice cream. Yummy!

We are so thankful for our week together at Ocean Isle Beach! We have made so many memories over the years, and we are already looking forward to when we will be back again.