Iris' 5th Birthday Party!!!

I can't believe my baby is 5 years old!  This year she is into mermaids so of course she decided to have her birthday party at the waterpark- --again!

 "Happy Birthday to you....

 Happy Birthday dear Iris....

.... Happy Birthday to You!!!!"

 After her birthday party we also camped at the James Island County Park Campground for the rest of the weekend.  Here's a look at our campsite...

 

 Birthday dinner....

 and what camping birthday would be complete without S'mores for dessert?

Happy 5th Birthday Iris!!!  WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Beach Day at Morris Island

 

I think it has rained almost every single day this summer. That means we have had very few boating or beach days.  Luckily we were able to squeeze in a few hours of both on Sunday on Morris Island

 The girls did lots of shell hunting...

 and sand castle building

 Here is our finished product.  We actually made several of these but Isabella loves knocking them down more than building them so this is the only one I got a picture of before she came running through it.

 These were the beautiful blue skies to our left...

but this is what was to our right. Crazy how you can stand in one spot and see two completely different types of weather.

 

  So we started the usual dilemma of "should we stay, or should we go?" 

 After taking these few shots we decided to go.  But not before we saw dolphins swim right by our boat (look to the left of the back of the boat)  -- pretty neat!  We got a little wet on the ride home but luckily we made the right decision and beat the storm that came pounding down right behind us.  That's been the typical day here in Charleston.

Swim Lessons

Iris and Isabella have been taking swim lessons.    Iris is now swimming on her own. They were both doing great until they got swimmers ear.  Now we have to take a break for a little bit.  Hopefully we can fit some more lessons in before the end of summer.   Saying "cheese" before practice....

 

 Iris jumping off the platform...

 Then she did the big jump off the diving board.

Hopefully I can get some good ones of Isabella when we start back.  Sorry Isabella, your class isn't jumping quite yet!

Fourth of July at Firefly!

 

We went to the Firefly Distillery and Robert Irvin Winery on the 4th of July.  Yes, sounds like an odd place to take kids but I promise, it's kid friendly.  They had King Pops for the girls to enjoy. 

 

 They even had juice boxes and popcorn for the kids to enjoy while mom and dad had a few tastings.  Isabella immediately found herself a nice seat...

 until Iris decided to join her...

 Daddy trying to keep the crazy kids in check...

 After the tasting we went out to see the cow in the vineyard.  This might be the shortest cow I have ever seen.  The girls liked him until he turned around and knocked Isabella over.  She was screaming  "that cow bit me, that cow bit me."  He did not bite her but he did almost step on her, I had to yank her out from under him very quickly! 

 After the cow incident Isabella insisted  we leave the vineyard area so I was only able to take this one quick shot of the grapes.  Pretty neat though.

Then we had some lunch.  I could watch Isabella eat corn all day.  It cracks me up!

 This one is even better.  Not sure what Iris is upset about.  Both of their expressions are priceless!

 Then they enjoyed some time looking at the other animals and swinging on the tire swing.

 One day, Brad will break down and put one of these in our yard -- right Honey?

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!