Waves, Sandcastles, and Family!

We just spent a week at Pawley's Island, South Carolina.  It is our favorite place to go!  This was our fourth trip to Pawleys and it has been great every time.  My husband's mother and stepfather graciously allow us to stay with them in a beach house they rent...how awesome is that!  Thanks, Manna & Paul-Paul!!  Our boys LOVE the beach! 

Manna & Parker (his first beach trip)

Riding the waves are the boys favorite things to do.  When they need a rest from that, we love to make sandcastles.  We do the traditional sandcastles from molds, but of course we have to step it up a notch and get creative.  I let the boys pick what they want me to make and with their help, we do it.  In year's past, we've made a lifesize crocodile & a giant snake.  This year, it was all about Toy Story.  The boy's wanted me to make "Squeezey" one of the aliens and "Sheriff Woody". 

Squeezey

Ryan & Cannon with Sheriff Woody

Lillian & the Octopus she made from Toy Story 3

The sand creations are easy to make.  Just get a toy or picture that you want to create and draw the outline in the sand.  Then just start building it up to the height that you want it.  Spoons and butter knives make the best sand building tools.  Remember the tide and build it far enough back on the beach that it doesn't get washed away mid project...and don't forget to warn the kiddos that the creation won't be there long before the tide, rain, wind, etc. gets it.  We had a couple of tears from the boys on our first creation because they didn't realize the tide would wash it away!

Splashing waves w/Mommy!

                                                                The boys and their Dad

I will post our family picture later, it is awesome!