Folly Beach!

Last week we went to Folly Beach With my inlaws, Brad's Sister, Betsy, her Husband David, and their two children. 11 People in one beach house. And any one who knows me--- between being at the beach with all the sand and the company we had, One week was plenty. But the kids had a blast. (and Yes, that would include Brad in that statement)

I got up early each morning and spent 40 minutes slathering sunscreen on everyone-another 20 dragging everything out on the beach: (chairs, EZ up shelter, toys, coolers) and then spent about 2 hours on the beach with the kids before I had to take Savannah up to the house for lunch and a nap. I would normally take some sandwiches down for the kids and Brad on the beach once Savannah was asleep. (My in-laws would come up for lunch daily and Ma-in-law would banish herself to the bedroom and play her DS light. ) After Savannah woke up I would slather her up with sun screen again---- and myself, and we would hit the beach again. An hour and a half later She and I would head back to the beach house to start helping with supper. (Once again washing all the sand off---) I felt like all I did was slather sunscreen on the kids and my self and then wash sand off!

When we first got to the beach, Savannah was terrified of the ocean. She screamed and cried as the tide got closer and closer to our shelter, and one day she even climbed in my lap and pulled a towel over her head. By the end of the week she was playing in the surf with out tears.

She loved the tidal pools, and she and her 4 yr. old cousin, Tyler, played in the tidal pools each morning. The boys had a blast riding the waves on their boogie boards and catching minnows in the tidal pools. They even made a couple of sand castles. I wish I had a picture of one of their sand castles, because when my boys make a sand castle, it is extraordinary. Brad brings a large garden shovel from home to dig!

There were only minor blow ups between the children during the week-- I was a big girl and played nice with everyone-- even Ma-in -law.

Brad gained a brownie pooint by taking me to dinner the first night and leaving the kids with the inlaws--- but he lost his point on th e4th night when he chastized me in front of the whole family at dinner for buying 6 fuze drinks for $1 each. (I was still a big gril and told him he should fuss at me in front of 10 people at the table--- That shut him up.-- especially when my sister in-law -- chimed in and said-- she's righ,t Brad.

All in all--- I am glad to be home and away from the sand.

Three boys and a girl

Our weekened was a tad bit busy-- Hunter had a playoff Ballgame-- but they lost.

Here is Hunter's team. Hunter wants bangs so badly, but his hair just doesn't do what all the other boys' does. Hunter's "bangs" seem to take a shape of their own, and he has the "dracula" look here.

Parker also played this weekend. His team has had a losing season, so this was the last game. Parker seems to like being the center of attention, and was really clowning when this picture was made. All I can do is shake my head and hope that he grows out of some of this clowning. I think I know exactly how Brad acted when he was young.

Savannah went to the game too, but she wasn't a real good spectator. I had to walk around outside with her, and keep her entertained. She threw several temper tantrums during Parker's game causing all eyes to be on her. ( She wanted the basket ball) I am sure all those parents were wondering why I was allowing such a sweet little girl to lay on the floor and scream. If she tried to get up, I stopped her, and that made her even angrier. I should have gotten some pics of that!

Brad has had a relatively good weekend. Although I have decided that enough is enough. I will no longer allow him to blame me or yell at me for things that are not my fault.

point and case:

1) Is it MY fault when I scheduled the babysitter two weeks in advance and she doesn't show up?

2) Is it my fault when Parker or Hunter leaves his jacket at school?

3) Is it my fault when Parker didn't tell me he had a project due the next day?

4) Is it my fault when the boys Don't make an "A" ?

Brad takes a lot out on me, and although I have tried

1) listening (while trying not to take anything personally)

2) ignoring him

3) listening and then arguing back--

None of these seem to work. I think he just neds to stop yelling. Period. I didn't grow up in a household that yelled, and even after 13 years of marraige-- I still don't like it when he yells. I honestly believe tha his mother controlled him for so many years-- that he is trying to do the same to me. It is not going to happen. You would think that he would give up after meeting so much resistance. (I guess his head is as hard as mine....)

Savannah is doing much better-- She has decided that yellow is her favorite color. She pitched a fit this morning to wear a yellow shirt. The only problem with that is she doesn't have a yellow shirt. I did have a yellow bow-- and she insisted on wearing it. (With her pink outfit.)

Sigh. She is going to be very high maintenance. I predict that she is going to have twins when she becomes a mom. She always is holding more than one baby. She puts two in her stroller, two in the baby bed, or she sits between two on the floor covered up and pats their backs-- at the same time. I had to laugh the other day-- she had one in the baby stroller, and one in the baby high chair. she had two bowls, and two spoons, and she was taking turns "feeding" each one of them. I tell you- forshadowing..........

Boys vs girls

Savannah is almost two and her brothers are 12 and 8. Only a person who lives with them day in and day out can truly see the magnificent (and not so magnificent ) differences between these two "species."

Me: Hunter and Parker-- you have not combed your hair for school.
Hunter: It's okay, athe bed head look is still in!
Parker: I don't have to comb my hair because it is short enough it won't go anywhere.
Me: Come here Savannah, let's brush your hair.
Savannah (screams-- and not a short one, but a long drawn out soprano squeal that goes on until she has no breath)
Me: Come on, we need to comb your hair.
Savannah: I pretty -I pretty
Me: Do you want Mommy to put some Pretties in your hair?
Savannah nods and smiles.
Me: okay, lets put this barrett in.
Savannah-- long drawn out scream, she then whines and cries.
Me: Do you want this headband?
Savannah--- long drawn out scream, she then whines and cries.
Me: Do you want Piggies?
Savannah: She nods, smiles, then laughs.
Hunter: (hair still tustled--) can I just kind of brush my bangs to the side-- is that good enough?