Our last day of spring break was filled with an extra special trip to Folly Beach. Luckily, some of the daddies were off and were able to come with us. 
Somehow, things are even more special when Daddy can be there. This was the first time we have been to the beach this year, and it did not disappoint.
The Halfords, Collins, and we all packed up lunches, dusted the cobwebs off the beach toys, and loaded up the vans with, as usual, way more stuff than we needed to bring. But, the best part about going to the beach this year is that the children are a year older. This means they are more able to fulfill their proper roles as pack mules. Even Bennett was able to carry some stuff down. Oh how I have dreamed of this day!! Finally, something is draped over his shoulder rather than he on mine! Naturally, they are much more willing to haul the stuff TO the beach rather than FROM the beach. It's almost like the salt, sand, sweat, and heat makes them uncomfortable. Who knew?
The children had a great time getting the sand between their toes again.
Holes were dug, castles built, moats were filled.
There were more trips made to and from the water line than I could have counted. They played and played nonstop.
Some of them even went in the water, which we couldn't believe. The weather was beautiful and warm, but the water was still quite chilly. Ah, to regain the reckless abandon of childhood. 
Eventually, Reeves and Eliza had to take a well deserved break.
We finally headed home, sandy and sunkissed, for some extra long naps. It was the perfect way to cap off an amazing spring break.
Hard to believe this little angel is already 4!
We celebrated with a super fun party at Hazel Parker playground. Dorothy and Gregg had thought of everything, including getting enough pizzas so that the adults could eat as well.
It's hard to pass up a $5 Hot n' Ready! The kids all behaved beautifully, playing their hearts out in the warm sun and only occasionally stopping by their respective parents to have an empty bubble jar filled or to request another piece of pizza or the opening of a juice box. It is amazing to me to bring these children to parties now and know that they are pretty well self sufficient.
Although it was only a few short months ago that I was having to keep foot to foot with Benny, he and "My Best Friend, Pincky" can now go and play together without too much interaction from us.
As long as we eyeball them every couple of minutes, they are fine. They basically know their boundaries and theoretically know what kind of behavior we expect from them. Of course, none of this would be possible without the village we all have created to raise our children. (I never thought I would ever agree with Hillary!)
The younger ones come up seeing how the older ones, siblings or not, and this in turn shapes their own behavior. Thank you to all my girlfriends for raising the kind of children I want my own boys to be. It has made my job immensely easier! Of course, the dads also have a bit to do with this village. 
Here are two of them who have gone out and hunted and gathered that elusive pizza for their youngest ones.
After eating way too much pizza and cake, it was all we adults could do to just sit and watch the little bodies run and play. I again wonder where they get the energy!
Oma spent some time giving JJB III advice on the finer points of being a chicken fan.
While part of me does miss the big one we have done for the past 3 or 4 years, an even bigger part of me was so thankful to have today's hunt with just a few children. Of course, there are many little ones we sorely missed, but I think this scaled down version is a bit more manageable. 
And it was so good to see old friends we haven't seen in ages. Tradd is groing up way too fast!
It was perfect, both sets were totally entertained and challenged. Of course, after the hunt, it was time to crack some eggs and chow down on the delicious cupcakes Melinda had sent. Nancy and I both found this little session between Bennett and Ellie to delicious to pass up. 
(Unfortunately, I had not adjusted my shutter speed so these pictures were way overexposed, and I have not yet reinstalled Photoshop on my computer, so this is what you get. Sorry.)
It all started out so innocently with a simple train of girls going down the slide. Don't they look precious? 
Then the boys got involved and it quickly deteriorated into a precariously balanced human tunnel. What is it with testosterone that makes a classic, simple toy like a slide not quite exciting enough? 
Please notice here that that is Eliza sliding underneath Reeves. 
Of course, there was one casualty, but luckily, the injuries were nothing a big hug and some magic kisses couldn't fix.
The weather held off long enough for us to have lunch, play, ride bikes, and get all soaking wet in the fountain. 
Reeves and Spencer quickly tackled the "Hill of Doom". (Reeves and Fordham have ridden this before, but it takes an older first grader to come up with such a fearsome moniker.) Those boys were unstoppable. They never got tired of pushing those bikes up the hill and then racing them down. Bennett, on the other hand, quickly tired of pushing his bike up the hill and then ...
pushing it down. 
I must admit, I was a little worried that he would try to ride it down with the big boys. Maybe he does have a little caution in him and there is a chance that he won't be the first of our children with a broken bone.
I think Bennett was the first to ride his bike through the fountains. Once the others realized that he was not getting in trouble for getting wet, it was katy-bar-the-door. 
Off went the shoes and socks, up rolled the pants legs, and, in one case, who needs anything but the undies? 
Wilson took great pleasure in getting his bicycle super clean. I wish my children had thought of that!
The children had a blast. I think part of the fun was that this was really the first warm day where they could truly enjoy getting playing and getting wet. It was a true taste of summer (isn't that what spring break really is?), and they loved it. Like Aileen said, "These are days they are going to remember."
The whole scene made Benny's hair stand on end. 
The older children, the ones who are supposed to protect our growing brood, they were content to make dinosaur nests and toss the youngsters to the maddening crowd. 
You just can't get good help anymore. I suppose we have to continue keeping our eyes out for them still.
Again, following in last year's footsteps, it took a while for Reeves to warm up to the whole idea of being social and friendly. He worked through those issues this year by "vogueing" with his Easter basket. 
Luckily, like all children, mine soon warmed up when they realized they would be let loose in a field full of little candy treasures. 
Reeves was a super egg hunter this year. Bennett quickly realized that the things inside the eggs were sugary and yummy, so he would open his each time he found one.
We put out about 2500 eggs, and after about 57 seconds the hunt was over.... and the begotiations began. 
I found this group already trading goodies. "I have two jelly beans. I give them to you for your one malt ball." Look out, Wall Street, these ones are growing up really fast!
This party was a wonderful success and I love that my family is a part of it with all of your's.