Tybee Island 2015 {Summer Vacation}

As usual I'm so very late to the party sharing pics of our Summer adventures, but better late than never. { I'm also super behind on ordering blog books - go figure!}

Lance is all about the travel/driving schedule which means some cRAzY departure hours, but when we get there and have all the extra time to enjoy, I'm always thankful for his leadership in this area!

This year we decided to drive through the night for the first time...

It worked out well. Well, mostly. This little one as expected...

But then there's this certain little fella that was still going strong at 4:14 a.m.!!! At least he was happy!

We made it to Savannah and headed straight to the Back in the Day Bakery!!

Sooooo yummy!! I wish I could have sampled one of everything!!

Coffee. Bring us all the coffee!

Even after all that driving, Lance was still a good sport and let me do a little shopping before we headed to our home away from home for the week. I found a really pretty turquoise cuff bracelet at this cute shop in downtown Savannah.

I fell in love with Savannah. The buildings. The squares. The fountains. The gorgeous Spanish moss lined streets. Ahhh...

On to our home away from home for the week...Tybee Island! But first a little tribute to Shark Week - ha!

We stopped to eat at a local fish place and right outside were these beautiful flowers! I had to stop and snap a pic and send it to Noonie because they reminded me so much of "amapolas" - a flower I grew up seeing all over Puerto Rico!

Finally!!

Lance found this little gem for us and Oh my, he did GOOD!!!! It was love at first sight! And not just for me - ha! The fist pumps might have been because they had their own tv in their room {something I don't see happening at home for a LONG time}, but alas, I'm just going to stay in my bubble and think it's because the décor was so perfect. *wink*

We love, Love, LOVE The Coral Cottage! Highly recommend! It was spotless. Perfect location. So many of you on Instagram asked for the link, so here are more pictures from their {listing}.

This little boy just makes me SMILE! He is so funny!

He was so excited to find dino "bones" in the side yard right by the outside shower {don't worry, there's an indoor bathroom too!}.

So after unloading and getting settled in we headed to - where else - the beach!!

Love the sand dunes!

The beach is the little pumpkin's happy place. A girl after my own heart!

The swings are always a hit!

We later tried to go for gelato but they were closed early - boo!
#foodtrucklove

We did find a perfect little spot for husbands and kids. The official "husband bench" - ha!

And a fun bubble bird bath for the littles.

All so mama can shop in peace! #genius
{I secretly love that she still loves bubbles!}

I'm going to be posting vacation pics all week long, so just bear with me!

first day of THIRD grade + FIRST grade!!!!

Kicking and screaming we kissed Summer break goodbye and said hello to school!! Yesterday was the littles first day and they had a great day.  LOTS of fun pics, but those firsts have to be documented, right?!

Grace, 8 1/2
{first day of 3rd grade} 
favorite color: pink
favorite character: Elsa from Frozen
favorite game: The Shopkins Game
favorite food: steak, noodles, and broccoli
I love to: dance and draw

I hope her whole year is this smiley and dreamy!!

Hudson, 6 
{first day of 1st grade} 
favorite color: gold
favorite character: Zane from Ninjago
favorite game: swimming
favorite food: corn dogs
I love to: play with my family

Meanwhile...he is SO his father's son!! 
"How many pictures do we have to take??" 
he he he

There's that sweet jack-o-lantern smile I love so much!!

DEFINITELY a joy filled spirit!
{and same answers three years in a row!}

Perfect fit for him!! He notices every little detail! Everything must make sense and fit together just so. Love him to pieces!!

Official backpack pics!

Lunches packed with some yummies...stir fry chicken bites, shells with butter and parmesan cheese, apple slices, blackberries, and a chocolate pudding pouch!

They both loved their new magnets from planetbox and I love that we can use the same box and just buy a new carrying case + magnets every year!

And we're off!

The do-we-have-to-take-a-picture-at-school look. Why, yes we do! Mama wanted a pic of the two of you together and Grace in her cute new glasses!!

Ready to go into Mrs. W's Wonder Kids homeroom!

I have a feeling our days of walking her in are coming to an end... *tear*

Hello, Mrs. W!

Something about dropping off your *baby* that gets me every time!!

With his sweet teacher, Ms. H!

Bye mama!  Such cute Honeybees!!

But the best part about going back to school is catching up with all your friends!! Hudson was super excited that Lilly is now at his school!!

They both had a great first day - that's always an answered prayer!! 

When I picked up Hudson he ran to me and gave me the biggest hug! He said, "I had a super fun day!! Ms. H has the most amazing treasure box!" {he got a LEGO out of the treasure box!?!!!! he was OVER THE MOON!!} Later his buddy Jayden's mom told me that Hudson said Ms. H was sooo pretty + nice - he he! 

Grace said she had a great day but that they didn't get to go out to recess because it was too hot. (the good 'ole South for you!) That her desk (in like a little desk group of several desks together) is the farthest one back from the whiteboard but "I can see perfectly with my new glasses and I like it back there." (the stuff they notice!) And that she is sitting with two boys next to her that she tried to keep on task all day (ha!) 

Frozen yogurt at our fave spot to wrap up a successful first day!

We ran into some school friends and you would have thought they hadn't seen each other in YEARS!! Such crazy girlies!! 
{and yes, they were WILD after school. extra apologies to other froyo patrons that were there!}

All in all a great start to a new school year. My biggest prayers are for safety, for learning mixed with copious amounts of nurturing, and for the littles to shine with God's light from within in every circumstance they are faced with. 

Daddy and I love you more than words can say!
Go get them! 
XOXO,
Mama 

P.S. 
Second day of school fashion. Her style is really changing and she looks so grown up!!

a cute clipboard + a candle! {back to school teacher gift}

Today I have another easy back to school teacher gift idea for you! 

Target has these cute clipboards and yummy smelling candles in stock right now! Every teacher can use a cute clipboard and after the first week, de-stressing with a candle and bubble bath will probably be on every teacher's list!

Add a cute (free) inspirational printable (hello, Pinterest!) to the clipboard and you're all set!

Clipboard: $4.79 
"Juicy Gossip" Candle: $12.99 
Free printable by brepurposed can be found {here}! 

Spread a little love everywhere you go! 
It's the best mood lifter in the world!!

Dr. Seuss Book {back to school teacher gift}

I don't know about you, but every Summer increases my appreciation for everything teachers do day in and day out to nurture little ones, so any chance I get, I want to let them know I appreciate what they do!

So today I have for you an inexpensive grab-n-go gift that doesn't require any making, just in case that's not your thing!!  Do you have a little one starting preschool / kinder / first grade??  How about picking up a copy of this brand new, just released Dr. Seuss book as a classroom gift for the teacher!  Add a cute nameplate dedicating the book to your teacher and include your child's name and the school year and you have a fun {and useful!} keepsake!

I'm in love with the story behind it!!  You can read more about it {here}, but in a nutshell...Audrey Geisel, Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss)'s widow, found in her attic a box of papers she'd stashed away after his death.  In it was this and several other manuscripts he had finished and illustrated!

There's nothing like a Dr. Seuss book in my opinion, especially for those beginner readers!  I picked up a copy for Hudson's first grade homeroom teacher, along with a jar of my homemade {vanilla sugar hand scrub} and a cute beehive cookie cutter because they are the "Honeybees".

Giving doesn't have to break the bank!  A little heartfelt gesture goes a long way.

Do you love Dr. Seuss?  Find more party inspiration {here}, {here} and {here}!

vanilla sugar hand scrub {back to school teacher gift}

A couple of weeks ago during our family vacay to Tybee Island {pics coming soon!}, I fell in love with the hand scrub at one of the local restaurants. But it was pricey and I knew it wouldn't work with my budget for back to school gifts. So as soon as we got home, I started experimenting with different recipes and ingredients and finally came up with a winner!

Even better, it's made with all wholesome ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry!! So what are you waiting for??! Put on a cute apron and let's get started!

Vanilla Sugar Hand Scrub

{fills 3 half-pint (8 oz.) mason jars with a little to spare!} 

 

1   1/2 cups light brown sugar

8 tablespoons coconut oil

4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons lemon juice

 

1. Mix all ingredients together until smooth and
    coconut oil has dissolved completely.

2. Resist the urge to taste it because it smells so
    good!

3. Store in an airtight container.

Now go treat yourself for all your hard work {Shhhh...no one has to know how easy it really was!} by using the little extra on yourself! I like to scoop out a little dollop, scrub for 1 minute, rinse with water and pat dry. Your hands will smell soooo good and feel soooo soft!

And if you're feeling fancy, spray paint the metal rings like I did and use a little fabric scrap or pretty paper to cover the circle lid. Add a little ribbon or baker's twine, a cute tag, and if you have it, a little wooden spoon for scooping and voila! You just made a perfect little gift for teachers, neighbors, girlfriends, hostesses or whoever needs a little extra I'm-thinking-of-you.

Now excuse me while I go back to being in denial that the littles start school in 1 week! *sob*