Easter Break at Jekyll Island {April 2020}

Although the kids were already doing online learning, they did get a week break from their studies for Easter week.  Since traveling was not an option, our state did start allowing locals to visit beaches for the day although there were restrictions on numbers in a group, lounging on the beach, and closed restroom facilities.  We took the kids for a day out at Jekyll, and it was perfect.  We had the beach to ourselves, and there was a perfect little tide pool for Maggie to play in with warmer water than the ocean.  The ocean water was still a little chilly although Brody didn't seem to mind it.  He is the most water loving of our kids still although I suspect Maggie may be as well.  Our teenager was the only one who got called out by a park attendant (Jekyll Island is a state park) for lounging on the blanket we had brought for Maggie in case she needed to nap.  Sigh.  We are so thankful to at least have beaches close by that we can utilize during these difficult days of social distancing.  I know it is so hard in cities where they have less means of escape to the outdoors.  I have a friend in New York City who posts about their experiences.  They do have to wear masks when they go outdoors although they have enjoyed walks in the quieter and less crowded city and in Central Park.  The city skyline actually looks so beautiful and clear in her photographs, and I am a little jealous she gets to enjoy the city in such a rare state.  Eddie and I kind of got that less busy experience in a very cold January when we visited, but it was a completely different winter scene.  I think we all can benefit from some outdoor therapy during this time.  My motto is "go outside and play!"

My crazy husband posing for his picture, and my message in the sand to mark this memorable occasion. 

Grayson and Maggie really enjoyed their little private pool on the beach.  It was the perfect size and depth for all of them.  

I am so thankful for these crocheted hats from my sweet friend, Kelly, because they have really come in handy lately.  They stay on her head as sun protection better than other hats that blow off in the beach wind.  I think they remind me of fashionable 1920's swim caps women wore.  

My silly boys playing together. 

Maggie crawling off to join her brothers. 

She headed for Evan who she definitely adores.  

My sweet Mattox

Grayson and Daddy didn't seem to mind the cooler water. 

Maggie really enjoyed the muddy sand and definitely ate her share.  Sigh. 

You may notice her dirty mouth from eating sand, but she was very happy.  

There's the lazy teenager "lounging" on the beach like he wasn't supposed to be.  I was busy watching Maggie and the younger boys playing, and Daddy was in the ocean with the others most of the time. 

Brody will always be my water-loving baby. 

I think Maggie will be my sand and dirt loving baby. 

I love watching my boys playing together.  

Maggie showing us her silly tongue. 

And we always stop for a treat for the drive home.  Yum, Chick-fil-a frosted coffee is the best!  

Memorial Day at Jekyll Island

Memorial Day weekend is usually one of the first weekends when people head to the beaches so they get pretty crowded.  We are lucky enough to enjoy going to the beaches a lot earlier in the year, but we still like to go in the warmer months too.  For Memorial Day, we decided to hit Jekyll Island because there is usually a lot more parking available.  The only part I don't like about this beach is that the beach access is not stroller or wheelchair friendly...no ramp and lots of steps.  Eddie can usually handle carrying the stroller or beach cart down the steps thankfully.  The day was beautiful, and we enjoyed our beach time together as usual.  We are very attentive and careful parents with so many little swimmers around the water so our beach time is necessarily relaxing, but it is still enjoyed by all.

Of course, we stopped for lunch at Chick-fil-a on the way to the beach.  Grayson received a balloon.

I thought this Missing Man table was a special tribute on Memorial Day.  The US celebrates two holidays during the year to honor our military veterans.  Memorial Day is especially set aside to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, and the Missing Man table remembers those who tragically were never found so their families did not even have the closure of burying their loved ones.  

I still have not visited Historic downtown Brunswick.  Sigh.  The bridge over to the island is in the newer style like the ones in Charleston and Savannah. 

The entrance to Jekyll is left from when it was a private island retreat.  

Evan is the best big brother and loves playing with his babies. 

I "heart" the beach and my beach babies!

Brody was feeling super silly lying down in the waves.  Needless to say, his shorts and hair were full of sand. 

Sweet big brother and his baby. 

Brody is an aspiring surfer dude.  Mattox just loves his daddy. 

I think my Mattox is just so beautiful.  He melts my heart with his smiles.  He adores his brothers so much. 

I have a love/hate relationship with pictures of myself on the beach.  Haha!

Playing with my babies in the water is priceless. 

Mattox loves being swung around. 

Sand is so fun!

Grayson was really getting his sea legs.  

I love watching the waterfowl flying around over the water. 

Beautiful blue skies with fluffy clouds. 

Two gulls swooped down right over those people's heads to get fish. 

Mattox and Grayson are quite a pair. Inseparable!

They just love their daddy and followed him to the water. 

I love their happy faces. 

So much daddy fun. 

Getting splashed by the waves. 

Grayson thinks Mattox and Daddy are the silliest. 

My sweet beautiful baby

Playing in the sand. 

Evan works on his sand masterpiece while I help Mattox to fill up his water pail countless times. 

Evan's fort masterpiece on the left compared to another person's sand sculpture nearby.  

Evan stood guad by his fort while the tide was coming in.  He wanted to test out his moat.  It did hold for a short time until the tide finally overtook the whole structure. 

Little brothers love copying big brother.  They were playing a stealthy game of some kind of covert op evidenced by the pretend guns they pulled on someone. 

Cinco de Mayo on Jekyll Island

One of the local beaches we frequent a lot is on Jekyll Island just across the water from Brunswick, GA.  On the way there, we had noticed a little Mexican restaurant called "5 de Mayo Mexican Restaurant" so I just thought it was a necessity to eat there for Cinco de Mayo.  Haha!  We usually just stop for lunch at Chick-fil-a on the way to the beach, but we made an exception this day.  It was  a cute and fun place to visit with decent quality food.  After filling up, we headed out to the island for some fun in the sun.

My cute boys enjoyed trying on the sombreros. 

Their daddy is so silly!

It was a lovely not too crowded day on the beach before the summer crowd starts arriving. Grayson is definitely a lot more active on the beach now. 

Making him take pictures with Mommy and Daddy. 

I love when all of my boys play together.  

Playing in the sand together. Grayson was ready to boogie board. 

Playing some beach soccer too. 

We found a live sand dollar washed up in the surf.  We wouldn't disturb the little guy, and it is actually illegal to do so. 

I just love watching this baby playing.  He is really on the move. 

And he loves the water too! 

All of my babies enjoy the water. 

Both boys needed to move up to bigger boogie boards this year so we would be making those purchases soon. 

I love playing with my baby! 

They did try to boogie board a little with some decent waves. 

Evan was having a harder time with his board. 

Happy water baby. 

Mattox still spends most of the time filling up his buckets and pails with water and going back and forth to the water. 

Walking with Daddy.  

Evan doesn't technically need a boogie board.  He body surfs and runs in the waves. 

They love having fun with Daddy. 

Grayson has a new love for a ball. 

He finally tired himself out and rested with Daddy a little.