The Good Life

We were at the beach last week from Saturday through Wednesday and it was so nice! Since Rutland was an itty-bitty last summer we didn't make it to the beach at all, so we were determined to have some vacation time this summer. We went with our good friends the Crumptons and their two boys, Harris (3) and Miller (almost 2). We stayed in Seacrest beach in a house right on the beach, which was awesome with all the little ones and multiple trips to and from the house. My only complaint was that our house had NO, NONE, NADA blinds on the many windows!! Only these tissue like curtains, which means that all the kids (except Miller who is a freak of nature - he's such a good sleeper) were up when the sun came up. Because we didn't have a pool, we came prepared with 3 baby pools and 200 ft. of hose so that we could fill up the pools on the beach. It worked out perfectly and we had a wonderful time. Here are some photos!! (I know there are a lot more of Rutland than Caroline, but she did not want her picture taken most of the time, and she actually stayed under the tent a lot or in a chair eating a snack, so not as much going on with her. Rutland on the other hand NEVER sits still!!)

So prissy - did NOT like the seaweed in the ocean or washed up on the beach. The only way we could coax her into the ocean was if we promised to carry her! She stayed under then tent eating a snack or played in the pool most of the time. Can't say I blamed her though - Mommy doesn't do seaweed either!

Rutland on the other hand LOVED the ocean!

This picture is for all of those blind people that thought Rutland looked like me - here is where his genes came from!

I can claim some of this one :)

Think how big we must all look to these little guys - so sweet!

A little sand never hut anyone!

Rutland and Miller played with the hose more than any toy we brought to the beach!

What a sweet bunch - just a little wild!

Here is our set up - looking down from the deck on the house. The baby pools were NOT just for the kiddos.

Following in Mama's Footsteps

Caroline had her first t-ball game tonight. She is playing with a few friends from her school through the YMCA 3-4 year old co-ed program. We were assured by her teacher Mrs. Bethany, whose husband is coaching, that it is a very laid back, "just for fun" program. Daisy picking, cartwheels, and digging in dirt are permitted and expected. They had 1 practice (which went about as expected - lots of playing and not wanting to participate in any sort of organized sport) and their first game was tonight. First hurdle was getting her to put on her black team shirt - she didn't like the color and wanted to wear her cinderella dress and rain boots - duh mommy! Second hurdle was getting her to put the matching black baseball hat on with it- no dice on this one and she wasn't budging. I really didn't fight her on it - the hot pink ribbon was cuter anyway. Third hurdle was to get her to put on her pink/purple glove that Aunt Allison gave her. She wore it some but found it much easier to just pick up the ball with her hands, so Mommy ended up carrying it around most of the night.

Parents were welcome on the field to try to keep the kids out there and to make sure there was minimal fighting over who got to field the ball. Caroline had several moments where she was beat out by a fellow team mate to the grounder and proceeded to pout through the next 2 hitters. I will let the pictures speak for themselves on how the game went. I am so thankful her coach is VERY patient and doesn't mind repeating himself or my child's name twenty times. On the ride home, Caroline said she had a great time and was ready to but her "ballet" on at home - that means her ballet shoes and recital costume! No tom-boy yet. But I'm so glad she's getting the experience of team sports. Rutland had the best time of all and was on the field many times, when he wasn't playing in the dirt with half of Caroline's team. We were all VERY hot, tired, and stinky when we got home. I happy to report, while there were many tears tonight (my child and about 3 others) all the kids had a great time and hopefully learned a little bit before the next game. At least it gets all of us out of the house and lets the kids run around for an hour before bedtime. That spells HOMERUN to me!!

At home getting ready to leave for the game - note the glove is at least in her hand, but no hat!

All smiles and excited to get to the game :)

Both teams held hands and said a prayer before the game started. It was so sweet.

Rutland sat with Mary Carter for about the first 10 minutes of the game, until he realized there was a huge open area to run around in. His bottom did not hit the ground again for an hour until we put him in his carseat.

Caroline's first at bat - daddy had to coax her to the tee. We had to tell her she would "loose her turn" and she came running.

Acting like she didn't want to hit - but she did end up hitting a little grounder.

She did NOT want to run to first base. Christopher tried to turn her in the right direction, but she wasn't having it.

Her team was batting while Caroline & Tate were playing with a baby.

Again, the game is still going on, but Caroline, Rutland, and Grace are loving some dirt.

Second at bat went much better. She has a great hit and did run in the general direction of first base.

Third times the charm - hit the ball and ran all the way to first! When she got to the base, she said "I hit the ball mama. Now can I go back and play in the dirt?"