Sullivan's Island

This year we were lucky enough to get two weeks at The Ark. It was bittersweet knowing that one of the reasons for this was because, with Poppa gone, it just wouldn't be the same for Grandmother to stay over there by herself, thereby freeing up the whole summer to be divided among the children. Big Laura was so kind to offer her weeks to us. It did make me feel better when Grandmother said how happy she knew it would make Poppa to see a whole new generation enjoying and falling in love with The Ark. There wasn't a day that went by during our stay that I didn't think of him. The walls drip with his essence, and I found comfort in knowing we were in a place that meant so much to him.

There truly is something special about that place, and Bennett seemed to pick up on it immediately. He slept better than he ever has, both at naptime and at night. After a few initial nights of up and down, Reeves napped and slept well too. This was perfect because it gave Bryant and me time to enjoy the breezy quiet of the front porch. I know it was tough on B because he had to work the whole time we were there, and I appreciate his making the even longer drive to and from work each day so we could enjoy the beach.

We had lots of friends and family stay with us or just visit for the day while were there.

Morn and Casey spent both weekends with us. It was so much fun to watch the cousins play together.

We had playgroup over there a couple of times. I wish I had gotten more pictures, but needless to say, the children wore themselves out between the beach, the slide, the den, and the porch. There was a lot of pitter patter of a lot of little feet on those days. It was wonderful.We even had some out of town guests. Bryce and Caulder stopped by one afternoon. Reeves is smitten with Bryce and asks about her all the time. When I remind him that he likes Caulder too, he stops me and tells me, "No. I love Bryce!" According to Reeves, you can only like (or love) one thing at a time, and no one else can like it either while you are liking it.

The Willises stayed for a few days after the birthday party. There's not really a too much more perfect time than late afternoons on the beach. The weather is usually nice and breezy, the crowds are small, and the sunlight is beautiful.

Towards the end of our stay, Mom and I went exploring on the golf cart and found a beach access just past Fort Moultrie. You could drive the cart up and step right onto the beach. I wish I had found this the day we got there. From then on, every night, B and I would load the boys up and drive down there. The sun set just beautifully over the city. Reeves could run and play. He loved climbing on the rocks and running from the waves.Bennett spent most of his time on his Daddy's shoulders, and I was able to get some great pictures. It was the perfect pre-bedtime jaunt.

On our last night at the beach, Bryant took off work a little early, and we were able to put the boat in. Reeves drove, which is astonishing as you would think he is too short to see over the console, but apparently, you don't really have to be able to see where you're going when driving a boat. You only have to be big enough to reach the steering wheel. And heaven forbid he get any help. "No! I do it by my own!"We went all the way around the island and behind Goat Island. Even though it was my suggestion to circumnavigate Sullivan's, I must admit, I did get a little nervous out there in the "big water". (Am I becoming my mother?)This was Bennett's first trip in our boat and his first time with a lifejacket on. He wasn't crazy about it at first but animal crackers (and, I suppose, the scenery) quickly helped him overcome his discomfort. While I was tooling around waiting for B to park the truck, I found it quite difficult to manuever and hold Bennett. Solution - I put him right where I put Sadie the first time I took her on the boat, on top of the console. Of course, Bennett is considerably bigger than she was at 6 weeks, but it seemed to work fine. It was a beautiful evening that made you really appreciate living in the Lowcountry. We watched the kiteboarders from the ocean and watched the boats going out the channel. The tide was so high we couldn't even see the jetties. We had to go back and forth under the Breech Inlet bridge a few times, yelling each time. We saw dolphins in the creeks and watched the flyfishers poling towards their prey. The boys loved it. We loved it. It was a perfect cap to a great two weeks.

As with all good things, our time at the beach ended too quickly. I am already looking forward to next year and crossing my fingers that we will be lucky enough to have just a little bit of time there. Summer just wouldn't be the same without The Ark. Thank you, Poppa and Grandmother!

What a Tangled Web

Well, today was a first in the growing up all too fast life of my older son. He lied to me. I couldn't believe it.
Bennett and I were in the front of the house; Reeves was playing in his room. It was Bennett's naptime, so I went to put him in his crib. As I entered the hall, I saw that the full length mirror at the back of the hall had been pulled from the wall, hangers and all. Luckily, it was propped up against a fan back there, so it wasn't broken and no one (Reeves) was hurt. I put Bennett down, went into Reeves' room and asked him what happened. I got no response. I asked him who knocked the mirror down. He told me that Bennett had done it. Enter the "Here Is An Important Parenting Moment So Take Advantage Of It" thought. I didn't blow my top; I didn't yell; I sat him down and talked to him. I told him that while I was upset about the mirror, I knew it was an accident, and even though he should know better, that is not what I was the most angry about. "I know you just lied to me about who knoked the mirror down." We talked about how bad lying is and how he should never, never do it. "You are being punished now, not because of the mirror, but because you lied about it when I asked you."
I hope I have handled this correctly. I think he got it. I suppose only time will tell, but he did mention to Pops later today about the lying, and Pops reiterated how important it is to always tell the truth. So somewhere in that three year old conscience of his he is beginning to understand right and wrong. I am glad this first experience with lying was so clearly black and white. There was no question who had done it, and as a result, I can sleep soundly tonight knowing I didn't punish him for something his brother might possibly have done.
He's growing up too fast. I'm not ready for the "shades of grey" that come with parenting as they get older. Sometimes it makes me long for those first three months of sleep deprivation. They were hard on the body but easy on the soul.