Last month, Kevin and I decided to surprise Harper with a trip to Build a Bear. For her second birthday, Kevin's aunt and uncle gave her a gift card that's been sitting in our dresser since her birthday party. We knew we wanted to wait until Harper was big enough to enjoy the experience and after she's shown a love for her stuffed animals over the last month or so, we knew this was just the right time. And my how we were right!
Harper walked into Build a Bear like she owned the place and acted as if she'd done the whole process a million times. Kevin and I couldn't help but get tickled at her excitement. Just look at all the pictures!
Here's to our next trip... Which in not gonna lie... I hope is very soon!
*If you missed part 1 of our vacation, you can read it here.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning, we grabbed breakfast with Brooke and Bryan at Cracker Barrel before they had to return home. I've never had Cracker Barrel's breakfast before but I can definitely tell you that their blueberry pancakes did not disappoint. Harper most definitely approved as well!
We spent the rest of the afternoon poolside with the family.
For dinner, we met up with Kevin's cousins, for dinner at California Pizza. It was our first time trying it out and I have to admit, it was pretty good. It was definitely no Sir Pizza, but it was a good second.
After dinner, we made our way to Family Kingdom where we spent the entire evening riding ride, after ride, after ride. Without a doubt I can tell you that our child is going to fit right in with our adrenaline junkie family (;
Thursday
Thursday was our lazy day at the beach. We spent most of the morning sleeping in, laying around, and taking naps. Sometime after noon we made our way to the beach.
Since we headed out so late, we didn't spend long outside before we had to head in and get ready to do a little shopping at one of the local malls and grab dinner at Texas Roadhouse with the in-laws.
Friday
On Friday, we grabbed breakfast with Kevin's grandparents at the Golden Griddle, a local pancake house.
Following breakfast, we headed to Kevin's uncle's place to hang out with them. Unfortunately, we didn't call ahead and upon arriving, we discovered they'd made their way to the outlets for the morning. So we caught up with Kevin's uncle's in-laws before heading back to our place and hitting up the beach and pool for one last time.
Shortly after six, Kevin and I headed to the outlets where I snatched up some capris from Banana Republic for just $15 each (I'll take every color, please and thank you!) and grabbed Harper some fall clothes from Carter's. We then grabbed dinner at a local Mexican place of which I'll never return. Note to self: don't try hole in the wall restaurants at the beach.
Since Harper was winding down and it was still early when we returned home, we decided to pack up the car and head on home. I wasn't exactly thrilled to call our trip to an abrupt end but knowing Kevin was going to have to return to work on Sunday, I knew he'd appreciate all day Saturday to recover instead of making the long drive home Saturday and returning to work the next day. So like a good wife, I obliged.
We ended up not leaving until close to 11 and made it back home sometime around 3am. And can I just add, my bed never looked so welcoming!
Kevin and I arrived at the beach shortly after midnight on Sunday morning. By the time we arrived, most of the family was already snoozing in their beds, so we quietly found our way to our room and unpacked our things. Before calling it a night, we snuck into my in-laws room and gave Harper a quick kiss. (We'd sent her to the beach with the in-laws since she was a bit too young to enjoy the wedding festivities that took place that day).
Sunday
Sunday morning we woke up bright and early to the most amazing view. Seriously, how awesome is God's gorgeous creation?!
After eating breakfast, we made our way to the beach where we learned right away that Harper was not a fan. We managed to convince her to play for a few minutes but she quickly realized she was being tricked with toys and adamantly asked to go to the pool.
We finished off the evening with the family at Cracker Barrel. Of which, Harper couldn't leave until she got to play with the checkers and try out all of the rocking chairs. Goldilocks, anyone?
Monday
On Monday we spent our morning laying around the condo before heading out for an early lunch with Brooke and Bryan. Brooke's birthday took place the week prior to our trip but with wedding festivities and a vacation to prepare for, we never made it out to dinner to celebrate. So per her request, we grabbed lunch at Margaritaville. Harper was obsessed with the atmosphere and she fell in love even more when the lady on stilts volunteered to make her a balloon animal. The best way to her heart.
Following lunch, we browsed some of the shops at Broadway where I seriously almost purchased some fake glasses.
Then we made our way to the pavillion where Kevin, Brian, and Harper took on some of the rides.
The rest of the evening was spent being lazy before we grabbed dinner at Sir Pizza. Which just so happens to be my absolute favorite pizza in the whole wide world! Unfortunately Harper missed it as she slept through the whole dinner...
We finished off our night in front of the television watching The Bachelor finale. Anyone else #teamshawn? Whoop whoop!
Tuesday
We braved the beach again Tuesday and thankfully, Harper did a bit better. We were able to spend a few hours on the beach before Harper asked to head to the lazy river.
Tuesday night, we met up with Kevin's uncle and his family for dinner at Nakatos; the family's absolute favorite Japanese place ever. (Again, if you live in Charlotte, NC, Atlanta, GA, or Myrtle Beach, SC...go check it out now!). Harper slept for the better part of dinner but at the sight of her friend Elijah, who was dying to sit beside Harper, she woke right up and gobbled up her noodles, rice, and shrimp.
Following dinner, we made our way with Kevin's uncle's family back to Broadway to do some more browsing, ride a few more rides, and enjoy the firework show they put on each night.
Part 2 coming soon...
