Girls' Beach Trip

Just a couple days after returning from the Bakewell Beach Trip, I headed back east to meet up with my BFFs in North Myrtle. It's a tough life, I tell ya! :) The seven of us have had this longstanding summer tradition for practically two decades now, and I always cherish the time together with my girls. A few of them arrived earlier in the week, and then we were all there Tuesday through Friday. It was three days of eating yummy food, sipping fruity drinks, reading and chatting at the beach, being lazy around the house, enjoying coffee in the morning, and snacking on junk food at night. We have already nailed down our dates for next summer's beach trip, and we have even begun the planning for 2026 when we will be celebrating our 40th birthdays. On my way back home on Friday evening, the timing worked for me to meet my other BFFs Sarah, Jen, and Amy. We met for dinner in Burlington and had lots of laughs about motherhood, wife-ing, and memories from grad school together. 

While Boomer had to work during the days I was gone, my parents watched Emmy and Eli, and it's safe to say that they were adequately spoiled: out to breakfast, treats from the store, a trip to the Science Center, and a matinee movie, not to mention picking something out from the SC gift shop and getting ice cream with their lunch at Freddy's. Somehow Emmy and Eli even convinced Grammy and Grandpa to have a sleepover. I am continuing to piece together the details of their fun shenanigans, but apparently after bubble baths in my parents' jacuzzi bathtub, both kids originally started in the kids' room on the daybed and trundle. After what sounds like a round of musical chairs, Eli ended up sleeping on the couch with the bed railing, with Grandpa closeby in his recliner, and Emmy slept with Grammy in their big bed. I'm not sure how much sleep was actually had. Emmy has been concerned that they did not get a 'good report' and is hoping that they can try another sleepover soon. I couldn't help but chuckle as she relayed the play-by-play to me. On Friday, with Boomer's day off, he took the kids bowling, and they played two rounds, with Emmy winning the first round and Daddy winning the second. I want to give a big shout-out to my team that pitched in during my absence. I am certainly feeling grateful as I write this post. God has blessed me with so many deep, fulfilling friendships and a loving support system at home. I'm a lucky girl!

Bakewell Beach Week 2024

We were so blessed to take not one, but TWO, vacations with my family this summer. When we made our plans for England, we didn't want to forgo our annual trip to the beach....so we did both! The two vacations could not have been more different: different pace, transportation, weather, and activities. When we were at the beach last summer, we confirmed our reservation for the same house and the same week in 2024 at Ocean Isle Beach. We really have developed a fondness for this particular beach and the homey location. The Kennedys rode along with Grammy and Grandpa again this year, and although its somewhat cramped quarters, it is nice to carpool together. We arrived to Ocean Isle around 3:30PM, shortly behind the Houstons. After unpacking, we ordered pizza for dinner, and then we took a walk over to the beach. The kids were so excited to see the ocean. After a brief time at the beach, the guys took care of bedtime while the ladies took care of the grocery shopping. We had an efficient shopping trip, and we were all stocked for the week ahead. A new addition to our fun this year: BINGO! Our game began that first Saturday, and the kids really got in to it. They were quick to call Bingo (or makeup a Bingo) for certain things that seem to happen during every beach week. (The game lasted until Tuesday, when Zander was the big winner and earned the pot of $10!)

On Sunday, we switched up our schedule a bit, and instead of going out to dinner at Inlet View, we went there for lunch. At first I wasn't too sure about this change, but in the end, it worked out really well. We arrived at the restaurant at 11AM when they opened, and we were able to snap photos while we all looked fresh and happy. The change in schedule was to accommodate our guys which sadly had to return to Kernersville. Both Zack and Boomer had work commitments, and so they worked Monday and Tuesday, returning late on Tuesday evening. One of the things that Boomer did during the two days was attend the Piedmont Triad CTE Summer Conference, where he was presented with a plaque for his selection as State CTE Director of the Year. While I would have loved to have Boomer with us all week, I know that he does his best to balance all of his many hats. I am so proud of him!

We managed without the guys for two days, and we were so glad when they returned. They certainly bring the fun, whether at the beach or at the pool. Each day we would spend a couple of hours at each, usually the beach first, before migrating to the pool. As the kids are getting older, the getting-ready process is a bit easier...but there are still multiple steps of putting on bathing suits, applying the sunscreen, and packing the cooler. Once at the beach, the kids loved throwing the baseball with Daddy, especially Eli, who would be content doing it for hours. Emmy played with the sand toys, digging deep holes and searching for seashells. She also liked using a boogie board in the surf and going out in the bigger waves on the last day with her cousins and Uncle Zack. The grandkids kept an eye out for the yellow-and-black umbrella cart for Sunset Slush. Twice Grandpa gave them cash so they could each get a cup of the cold, yummy sweetness. Can you say spoiled?!  

I realized I didn't take photos this year at the pool. Having a private pool at the house provides hours of afternoon entertainment for everyone. In addition to the beach and pool, a few other fun activities throughout the week were: playing at the park, going for the annual marsh walk with Grammy, shopping for souvenirs with the Houstons, and reading a chapter book with Grammy. 

After eating dinner in on Monday (lasagna) and Tuesday (tacos), we had our second "dress-up" night on Wednesday. We made the drive to Calabash to eat at Dockside. The yummy hushpuppies and fried seafood can't be beat. Afterwards, we posed for photos on the dock and did a little shopping at Callahan's. 

As we usually do (see the aforementioned Bingo card!), Boomer and I snuck away each night for walks to the pier, and on the last day, we went to Drift for a breakfast coffee date. We love these moments together just the two of us. 

There was no shortage of good food, yummy drinks, and sweet treats throughout the week. We all became accustomed to nightly bowls of ice cream as the reward for clean plates at dinner. Over the course of the week, we finished off 4 half gallons from the grocery store and 9 pints from Calabash Creamery! You would think we would be tired of ice cream when we left today, but we still made our usual stop at Kalawi Farms for their famous homemade Ben's Ice Cream. The kids got cookie dough (Emmy) and birthday cake (Eli); the adults got peach and banana pudding. We also got several peaches which I plan to make into a cobbler later this week. 

The excitement on the first Saturday is always followed by sadness on the second Saturday, as we say goodbye to the beach and retrace our route home. We are so thankful for another year of priceless memories!