Friday Things #335
Hello hello! It feels like forever since we’ve caught up, doesn’t it?!
1. We had such a wonderful vacation last week! These three babes absolutely adored their time at the beach and LOVED being in the pool. The boys did PHENOMENAL in the car (we went to Oak Island, NC and it was about a 10.5-hour drive); Isabelle, meanwhile… did her best that could be expected being strapped in the car? HA. All in all, it was a great trip and we were so thrilled seeing the kids experiencing something new and exciting.
2. And because we couldn’t just have a nice and calm week in between vacation and school starting, all of the boys in the house managed to come down with a stomach bug. Isabelle seems to have gotten a very mild version, and I have been somehow spared *knocks on every wood surface in the house*.
3. Speaking of school, we had parent orientation night at the preschool last night for Joseph AND Dominic, gah! They both start on Tuesday next week (Joseph will go four mornings a week this year, and Dominic two short mornings); Joseph is excited to go back and see his friends, and Dominic is really, really looking forward to it. I hope that the goodbyes are easy, eeeeek.
4. I’m not sure what the weather is like right now where you live, but we pulled back into our driveaway around 4:00pm on Saturday and the weather here has been downright GLORIOUS ever since. Highs in the 70’s, sunny, breezy, and the mornings and evenings are chilly and fall-like. Weather nirvana for me.
5. Speaking of weather, if you are in the path of Hurricane Dorian, please stay safe! xo
6. Do you have apple-picking plans yet? If so, I’m just going to leave this slow cooker apple butter recipe right here.
7. I have long been a fan of The Golden Girls since spending SO MANY Saturday nights at my grandma’s house watching with her (and most times with my sister and cousins, as well). My grandma would make us Boboli pizzas, we’d watch Golden Girls, then Empty Nest, I can’t remember what else, and then we got to stay up late and watch Star Search. So many great memories! I can’t believe that a Golden Girls puppet show is a thing now! I didn’t get tickets, but I still love snagging reruns when they’re on :)
8. If you’re packing school lunches this year, these are some good tips!
9. Speaking of, I love this after-school veggie and cheese tray idea from Lauren. Heck, I’d love it for myself! I may give it a try with the boys one afternoon and see how it goes.
10. TGIF! Have an awesome weekend with sweet friends :)
Hi!  Your visit to Oak Island brought back so many memories for me! We vacationed there with my husband’s family for many  years, starting when our oldest was just two!  His parents had begun visiting there when he was young, as they felt the beach was wide and beautiful and the water was more calm, with little to no undertow.  The little town of Southport thats nearby is a treasure and they have an annual 4th of July craft show and parade that’s a blast. I hope you made visits to Dairy Queen–that was a frequent treat for our children and nieces–and of course parents!!  It sounds as though you liked your vacation there as well.  Its a wonderful low key, family beach that I always loved visiting each summer for so many fun years!.
Hi Michelle!
Glad you are back safely & that you & your family had a good vacation!
The picture of the children is so cute–Isabelle is getting so big already.
I know you are beyond busy, but I am wondering what made you choose Oak Island, NC–we are trying to choose a place along the coast of SC, NC, or Georgia to travel to for a vacation, & I am overwhelmed with choices, & it is hard to make up my mind where to go–they all look so great.
So, if you ever have time, I would love to know how you all made up your minds :)
Looking so forward to your posts this Fall–I don’t see how you do it with your 3 children & all–but I appreciate all the time it does take you!
I hope the boys have fun in school! Â Take care, Pam
Hi Pam, We had actually never heard of Oak Island, but we were planning to go with the kids, plus our parents and some extended family, so we needed a house that would accomodate everyone, wanted it to be right on the beach so we wouldn’t have to haul kids + stuff back and forth, and a reasonable price – we basically just searched VRBO from Delaware to South Carolina and found a few places that met our needs, then settled on this one as the house was newer and it was a little closer drive than two others we found. Hope that helps! :)
Glad to hear that you and your family had such a nice time at the beach, Michelle! I have such fond memories of the times that me and my brothers had with our parents and grandparents at the beach, and I’m sure that your children will, too. It’s such a happy time in our lives, and one that will treasured forever.
We go to Oak Island every year! It is our favorite place to be! In fact I was down there the 2 weeks right before you :) I hope the weather was as nice as it was for us! Did you visit Southport? Every year I say I want to move there!
The weather was PERFECT! The only day it rained was the day we arrived (and it was already dinnertime) – other than that, they were picture perfect beach/pool days. We went to Southport one day for lunch at Provision Company – the town is absolutely adorable!!! We were so smitten with it!
Welcome back. The little kiddos sure look like little beach pros. Hope you had a much deserved relaxing vacation with your family. I can’t believe it’s back to school already, where did the summer fly off to? I’m sure your doggies were ecstatic to see you all back home.
Hi Michelle, Glad you are home safely. Really missed you! Awesome pic… :-) Praying for quick recovery for all the kiddos and a great transition into the school season. Hugs!
Great to hear from you again, Michelle! Â Really missed you! Â :-). Awesome pics… Glad you had a great time and are home safe!! Hugs and blessings. Prayers for quick recovery for the kiddos and a wonderful school year. xo
Welcome home. I missed seeing posts in this place last week but am happy to know you and your sweet family had a wonderful vacation. I know it is not easy to travel even short distances with young children so you and your husband must feel excited you managed to have a successful experience.
 I am looking forward to new posts and recipes as we head into fall and cool weather.
Awhhh, welcome back!😊😊 sooooo happy to see this post this morning. Wow, 10 hours in the car..I would be fussing and I’m not a baby lol. You’re so amazing I always say. I am in CA, all the way on other side of U.S.😊 and we have had the most mild Summer I can remember. It has been amazing. Mid 80’s almost all Summer. Beautiful pic of Isabelle and doggies. So good to see u r back. P.s. sweet story about your Grandma. I adored my Grandma. Every dish she made was deliciously yummy. Even if it was just a sandwich. I miss her every day.
One of my favorite times with my grandma was when I was out of college and working, it was only 10 minutes from her house, so I would often drive over and have lunch with her. She would make me grilled cheese sandwiches in her little sandwich maker (she had one like this: https://amzn.to/2L9sqX7) and we’d sit at her dining room table, eat and chat. I loved those days.