We finally made it to the Hurst family vacation mecca that is Hilton Head Island. We have been vacationing there since I was 4 years old so it has officially come full circle since my girls are now 4. It never ceases to be surreal that I am now the mom on vacation rather than the kid. I am the one to yell to the back "kids, we are going over the Hilton Head bridge!!" to slather the sunscreen on little bodies that are nearly vibrating in anticipation of jumping into the pool, to blow up water wings and pool toys--the list goes on. Vacation is definitely different on the parental side of the fence--not bad different, just different. Gone are the days of lounging by the pool or on the beach for hours, but getting to spend a week just enjoying my family is priceless and definitely a good kind of different.
So, anyhow, not sure if I mentioned how this all goes down and I am too lazy to look at my last post to check, but my thoughtful and wonderful parents have rented a big house for all of us (myself, my 5 sibs, ours spouses and kids) to converge upon for the past several years for one week. Amazing. So on Saturday we all start trickling in to the house after driving for various lengths of time and experiencing various levels of torture on the drive (see previous post) to start our week together. The house seems cavernous at first but we remedy that quickly with all of our stuff that we have toted across the country. Needless to say that a house full of 11 adults and 10 kids (ages 8,7,5,4,4,4,3,2,1 and 5 months) makes for an interesting week. I have to say though that I am surprised at how well we all get along--kids and adults alike. Everyone helps everyone else and we were mostly on the receiving end of the help this year with our young and numerous brood (a special thanks to all my sibs, especially Aunt Amy for being Jack's nanny for the week!) A great time was had by all. Below are a few funny highlights
THE POOL
The Battles kids had the record this year for the most attempted drownings--3 for the week. I am not a negligent mom--I actually researched various pool alarms and contemplated dressing Ben in a life vest at all times for the week since he easily opens all doors but then talked myself off the ledge and decided we would be on level orange for pool safety for the week. Despite my best efforts we had attempt #1 by Miss Grace within the first hour of arriving--definitely a record. The pool is THE thing for the kiddos--for obvious reasons but also because I rarely take them swimming throughout the year. I know my limitations and taking 4 kids to the pool means someone is bound to drown and running through the sprinkler in undies in our backyard is much more manageable and safer too. So on vacation the kids are practically ripping their clothes off to get in suits the minute the minivan door slides open. This year was no different. I somehow managed to find suits and floaties and was getting everyone seaworthy when Grace decided to ignore the warnings and float her little self and her little dollar store inner tube to the deep end and then promptly slipped right through. Ryan saw it but was up on the deck, I was trying to manage the other 3 and thankfully my brother Eric jumped in fully clothed to rescue her. Battles child rescue #1 for the week. 2 more to follow. The other two attempts were by none other than Benson the great. The first time he was rescued by Aunt Amy, my brother's wife, when she heard a splash and struggle behind her--I had just taken his ever present floatie off seconds before and apparently he felt invincible without it and headed straight for the deep end. The second time was 100% observed by me--I had just undone his floatie and before I could grab his slick little arm he had jumped right in to the shallow end. So there I stood, fully clothed, wondering if I should just jump in or would he be able to surface on his own. Sure enough he popped right up and I was able to snag his arm and drag him out. Mom of the year, right here ladies and gentlemen.
THE PICKLES
My Dad rarely goes into the grocery store--except on vacation. The grocery store is like the evening activity--a highlight, and when my Dad is allowed to roam the grocery store without supervision there are a few things he consistently buys and one of them is pickles. I don't ever remember seeing one jar of pickles in our fridge at home growing up but my vacation memories of dad definitely include him getting his prize jar of pickles from Bi-Lo. The grandkids know to hit grandpa up for pickles, so at dinner on our first evening there grandpa got out the infamous pickle jar and instantly the grandkids were clamoring for them. He started handing them out one by one and then within a few seconds all of the kids were hollering for water. Finally we realized that dad had purchased hot pickles accidentally and had unknowingly handed them out to all the tots. Baily, who is 5 and never minces words leaned over to her cousins and said "Are they trying to poison us?"
THE PUKING
I am not bothered by germs. This may be some shocking information coming from a pediatrician so steel yourselves--I let my kids eat food off the ground even if it has been more than 5 seconds! Travesty! So when kids are sick it doesn't really bother me--except for the puking germs. Those puke germs are so freaking contagious. We had one christmas when it went through our entire family within 12 hours including our dogs! Dogs, plural! So when one of the cousins started vomiting we all let out a collective , "NO!!!!!!!! " Then it felt like we were all blindfolded in front of a firing squad waiting to see which one of us, or our kids would be next. The puke germ played mind games with us and everyone was safe for about 48 hours, then the Battles kids were down for the count, minus Baby Jack! First hit was Grace who did an excellent job making it out of her tent, out of the media room and down the hall to the toilet. Lydia was not quite as graceful and woke up screaming and then puked chocolate pudding all over the white carpet (lots of blotting, laundry detergent and vinegar returned the carpet to its original splendor) and Ben was found asleep in a puddle of his own dried puke in the morning like a frat boy. The bug was NOT quick to run its course--stay tuned for the ride home.
Despite the near drownings, the hot pickles and the puking germs a great time was had by all. I am thankful every year for these times spent together. The memories are priceless.
So, anyhow, not sure if I mentioned how this all goes down and I am too lazy to look at my last post to check, but my thoughtful and wonderful parents have rented a big house for all of us (myself, my 5 sibs, ours spouses and kids) to converge upon for the past several years for one week. Amazing. So on Saturday we all start trickling in to the house after driving for various lengths of time and experiencing various levels of torture on the drive (see previous post) to start our week together. The house seems cavernous at first but we remedy that quickly with all of our stuff that we have toted across the country. Needless to say that a house full of 11 adults and 10 kids (ages 8,7,5,4,4,4,3,2,1 and 5 months) makes for an interesting week. I have to say though that I am surprised at how well we all get along--kids and adults alike. Everyone helps everyone else and we were mostly on the receiving end of the help this year with our young and numerous brood (a special thanks to all my sibs, especially Aunt Amy for being Jack's nanny for the week!) A great time was had by all. Below are a few funny highlights
THE POOL
The Battles kids had the record this year for the most attempted drownings--3 for the week. I am not a negligent mom--I actually researched various pool alarms and contemplated dressing Ben in a life vest at all times for the week since he easily opens all doors but then talked myself off the ledge and decided we would be on level orange for pool safety for the week. Despite my best efforts we had attempt #1 by Miss Grace within the first hour of arriving--definitely a record. The pool is THE thing for the kiddos--for obvious reasons but also because I rarely take them swimming throughout the year. I know my limitations and taking 4 kids to the pool means someone is bound to drown and running through the sprinkler in undies in our backyard is much more manageable and safer too. So on vacation the kids are practically ripping their clothes off to get in suits the minute the minivan door slides open. This year was no different. I somehow managed to find suits and floaties and was getting everyone seaworthy when Grace decided to ignore the warnings and float her little self and her little dollar store inner tube to the deep end and then promptly slipped right through. Ryan saw it but was up on the deck, I was trying to manage the other 3 and thankfully my brother Eric jumped in fully clothed to rescue her. Battles child rescue #1 for the week. 2 more to follow. The other two attempts were by none other than Benson the great. The first time he was rescued by Aunt Amy, my brother's wife, when she heard a splash and struggle behind her--I had just taken his ever present floatie off seconds before and apparently he felt invincible without it and headed straight for the deep end. The second time was 100% observed by me--I had just undone his floatie and before I could grab his slick little arm he had jumped right in to the shallow end. So there I stood, fully clothed, wondering if I should just jump in or would he be able to surface on his own. Sure enough he popped right up and I was able to snag his arm and drag him out. Mom of the year, right here ladies and gentlemen.
THE PICKLES
My Dad rarely goes into the grocery store--except on vacation. The grocery store is like the evening activity--a highlight, and when my Dad is allowed to roam the grocery store without supervision there are a few things he consistently buys and one of them is pickles. I don't ever remember seeing one jar of pickles in our fridge at home growing up but my vacation memories of dad definitely include him getting his prize jar of pickles from Bi-Lo. The grandkids know to hit grandpa up for pickles, so at dinner on our first evening there grandpa got out the infamous pickle jar and instantly the grandkids were clamoring for them. He started handing them out one by one and then within a few seconds all of the kids were hollering for water. Finally we realized that dad had purchased hot pickles accidentally and had unknowingly handed them out to all the tots. Baily, who is 5 and never minces words leaned over to her cousins and said "Are they trying to poison us?"
THE PUKING
I am not bothered by germs. This may be some shocking information coming from a pediatrician so steel yourselves--I let my kids eat food off the ground even if it has been more than 5 seconds! Travesty! So when kids are sick it doesn't really bother me--except for the puking germs. Those puke germs are so freaking contagious. We had one christmas when it went through our entire family within 12 hours including our dogs! Dogs, plural! So when one of the cousins started vomiting we all let out a collective , "NO!!!!!!!! " Then it felt like we were all blindfolded in front of a firing squad waiting to see which one of us, or our kids would be next. The puke germ played mind games with us and everyone was safe for about 48 hours, then the Battles kids were down for the count, minus Baby Jack! First hit was Grace who did an excellent job making it out of her tent, out of the media room and down the hall to the toilet. Lydia was not quite as graceful and woke up screaming and then puked chocolate pudding all over the white carpet (lots of blotting, laundry detergent and vinegar returned the carpet to its original splendor) and Ben was found asleep in a puddle of his own dried puke in the morning like a frat boy. The bug was NOT quick to run its course--stay tuned for the ride home.
Despite the near drownings, the hot pickles and the puking germs a great time was had by all. I am thankful every year for these times spent together. The memories are priceless.
Grace enjoying the Beach
Ben loved the beach!
The cousins doing the 'alligator, alligator" song
Uncle Todd playing with the nieces and nephews
Our dear friends the Nobles were there at the same time. this is honorary 'Auntie Bev'
Lydia soaking up Wisdom from Grandpa
The infamous family pic
We are creative about transportation
'Uncle Bob' Noble
Charlie and Jack
This shot is our yearly tradition for the last couple of years.
Ben was eating gummies in order to keep him relatively happy.
My best friend Katie Noble was able to be there too with her husband Chris and her fetus, soon to be newborn!
Jack had lots of entertaining by the cousins.
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