OKI - Day 2 - 12

Well looks like I was a little delinquent in posting photos of our time at OKI while in OKI. We got home late on Sunday night and all have a little vacation hangover. Pearson is in Utah yet again (3 weeks out of the last 4), Grandma C arrived last night, and we are preparing for Mae's birthday party on Sunday, her actual birthday on Tuesday and the start of Pre-K on Wednesday. 

Ok back to OKI. It was a pretty busy time. As I might have mentioned before my aunt and uncle have a house on the same street as ours. It being August, there house was pretty packed the whole time with family and our house had rotating people, including my dad, Matt [Heather's husband], Pearson, who came for the second week, and our friend Ed came down for a night. I got to see both my aunts and uncles on my dads side and 4 out of my 5 cousins. It was great getting to see everyone and catchup in the relaxing state of the beach, albeit sometimes not that relaxing with that many kids together for so long. 

There were many highlights and a few lowlights of the trip. I think it best to start off with the worst thing that happened. Mae got stung by a jellyfish. It was terrible. Her screaming was so sad and made me feel so helpless. Although I hate to even write this but I was so mad at her prior to be unaware of what happened. Why? We went to the point in the island one evening in the first week where the intercoastal meets the ocean. Mae and Whitaker both decided to get in a swim around. However, I warned both of the them to stay very close to shore and me because I wasn't wearing a bathing suit. Mae kept swimming away from me further and further and further. I yelled at her and she just kept swimming. I told her to be careful of the people fishing and she just went around them and was WAY too far away from me. Next thing I know she is running out of the water crying. I was so mad that I didn't even run that fast towards her because I assumed she stepped on something. Next thing I know she screaming, "GET IT OFF, GET IT OFF! Everything hurts but my head!!!" Then I knew it was serious. We ended up in urgent care because I called our doctor and they said to take her there for pain management. They ended up putting vinegar on it and giving us some prescription. There was problems with her legs for the next week especially some itching. But I am so proud of Mae and she got right back in the water the next day. Although she did say she didn't want to go to the other part of the island again. I don't blame her. 

The second scary episodes was with Whitaker. Whitaker was in the water by himself about 3 feet from shore while Pearson was on shore about to go in to meet him. Whitaker was a few feet out when a 3 foot long shark swam between him and shore with his fin up. I did not see this since I was sitting down. Pearson told Whitaker not to move which he didn't. Thank heavens the shark swam by and Pearson then got him out. After a few minutes Whit asked to go right back in. 

I got to give it to my kids, I would think these two incidents would scare them from the oceans forever but not them. They are the bravest people I know. 

Other then those two incidents it was a great time, albeit Whit and Will seem to fight more than average. I already miss the beach and forgetting all my daily obligations. Here is a massive photo dump of our time there. 

Whit thought it was hilariously to pee outside. In fact, he pretty much stopped using the indoor facilities to go number one because he enjoyed using the great outdoors. 

We were nominated to do the ice bucket challenge. This was moments after the kids dumped icy cold water on their heads. They loved it. 

One of Whit's favorite things to do…using the hose. 

Mae decided she wanted to do some morning yoga before hitting the beach. 

Whitaker loves Luke. Luke is a little luke warm about Whitaker. 

Watching TV while watching the iPad. 

If we weren't able to find John he was always in the back bedroom playing video games. 

The only girl sometime had to escape the chaos of the boys. 

I am always struck how blond his hair has become in pictures. 

Sophia and Whitaker. My cousin Kathy came down with her two kids and Whit was smitten with her.  

Will finding a piece of coral.

This is where Mae got stung by the jellyfish. It was actually in the inter coastal. It was far end of the island where this point meets the ocean. 

Moments before getting stung. 

Goofing around on the beach. 

Such a cute little guy. 

Matt and Pearson trying to get their fish on. 

Trouble. 

He loves his mommy. 

These two fought what seemed like all the time. There was definitely a day or maybe not an hour that these got into about something. I would have guessed that they wouldn't since they are over 2 years apart but nope that didn't change anything. 

Hits. 

Then screams. 

The beach is exhausting. 

And having to do summer school work can be a drag. 

Doing school work on the iPad. 

Coloring on the beach. 

Toes in the sand...

This was our little camp everyday. 

Found a crab. 

That bird feather somehow ended up in Mae's hair. Neither she or I put there but it made her  

Best buddies. 

At the Wilmington Children's Museum. We went because although I thought we had allow Whitaker was a total bear the first part of it but after going t

Dentist Mae and Patient Whitaker

Water colors. 

Final day on the beach trying to get a decent shot of all 5 of them. 

You can see that the jellyfish sting had yet to still go away completely. 

Whit photo bombing the picture.