oh my...i'm in love with these!

Fab Find Friday! Ok, I have to say that I almost hated to share these little treasures because I want to use them for Bryson's birthday party in October! But, they are just too cute to keep a secret! Check out these personalized muslin bags from Perideau Designs. You can order an initial print one as a single bag, or a group of them as party favor bags with the party theme print and she'll do each guests name on it! How original is that??! I can just see the little treat bags for a birthday party filled with little "trinkets" and each guest's name. What child would not like their own little "trinket" bag to use later! I have already ordered these for my boys to use to keep "treasures" in on the plane ride to Disney next month! I'll let you know how they turn out!

TGIF!

are you familiar with this?

I got an email the other day from a girl at our church who was sharing some of the great back to school deals that are out there already! Her info came from this site, Southern Savers. I had never heard of the site, but after checking it out, I realized it is fantastic for bargain shoppers here in the south! Enjoy!

fab find friday! post edited 8/3/2010

It's back... Fab Find Friday! I don't think I have done this for about two or three weeks now! So, it feels good to have a great item to share, thanks to a fellow blogger mom's suggestion! Amber sent me this email suggestion (thank you!) for a great Fab Find Friday item for free - yes I said FREE (isn't that a magical word?!) photo canvas! Simply go to the Canvas People and upload your favorite photo. If you choose only the 8x10 size, all you pay is shipping. That's it - the canvas is free! And, even the other sizes are ridiculously cheap! But, it seems to be only your first order. However, I will let you in on a secret that I "cheated" a bit and managed to get two free! I will let you know how mine turn out when they arrive in about another week or so.

*8/3/2010... So, my free canvases arrived today and I feel like I should share that they turned out horrible! One of mine was color and the other black and white. Both were so "off" in color it was bizarre! The black and white one turned out green and the color one is completely orangish/pink! YUCK! I checked back on two different computer screens to see the original photos. They seemed fine. So, there must be something about the way this canvas company transfers the images. But, why they would think either would be acceptable to me, is mind blowing?!!

So, my advice would be to use another canvas company. Unfortunately this deal IS too good to be true!

the end

And, so we had to say goodbye to our summer vacation week at the beach! Needless to say, we are already day dreaming about next year's trip... only 360 days until another week at the beach! For now, our family can day dream about our upcoming late summer vacation to Disney!

the stingray

Our last day on the beach was our most exciting for Cameron. While the "big boys" were playing horseshoes (another beach tradition) and enjoying "beverages," (definitely, yet another beach tradition!!), the "little boys," Gommy, and I were at the water playing. Cameron had his net and was "on the hunt" as he had been all week to catch sea creatures. So, you can imagine our surprise when he turned around and yelled "I got it" and he had a stingray hanging out of his net!!!!

the lighthouse

Towards the end of our summer beach week, we did our annual excursion to Cape Lookout. We did this for the first time about 4 years ago. We took the ferry over and were attacked by mosquitoes that year! And I mean attacked!!! We decided to try it again the next year and had the best time. The boys just loved it!!!! Since the island is both sound side and ocean side, you get the best of both worlds. Although Cameron begged to go last year, we had to skip it because Noah was a newborn. But, this year we took little Noah and ventured over! Max and Miller joined us too - and Gommy!!!! The weather was not the best we have had, but the boys enjoyed it again this year! Cameron and Doug actually did a lot of snorkeling and Cameron found a sand dollar! His big exciting find of the week. So, I think we have a family tradition now..... our annual trip over to the lighthouse!!!

the aquarium

Mid week at the beach we had a rain day! I have to say, we have been doing this week long summer vacation with my mom and family for about 5 years now and we have never really had a "rain day." So, once in five years isn't too bad! Anyway, we decided to spend the day with my mom and Jay and Laura and their boys at the NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. A good time was had by all!!!!!

just had to add these...

Ok, these photos just make me giggle every time I look at them, so I had to share them! Just look at Noah's face and tell me he does not look like he wants to "I am squishing my brothers... what fun!!!!"

water water everywhere!

As I mentioned, we took a break from the beach one morning and headed over to the water park in Emerald Isle. The boys had a blast! Once Bryson figured out he could do "the big slide," we had trouble getting him off. It was so sweet to watch Cameron take Noah down the slides. What a great big brother he is!

"he" sells seashells by the seashore...

Our family not only loves (and I mean LOVES) the beach, but we also LOVE to go seashell hunting together! I would have to say it is one of the few things that we all agree on doing!!!!!

By mid week during our summer vacation the boys were getting that nice golden glow tan (even my pale little Bryson!), and we were feeling very relaxed and having fun!!!