We're BAAACCKKK, but not for long!

We are home, well,  not all of us.  L returned home from his "adventure of a lifetime" on Sunday evening and he is currently boarding a plane again for a few days for work.  :(  Big time BOO!  Luke, Riggs, and I spent all of last week in HH with Ima and Sheshy.  Boy oh boy did we have a fantastic time!!  I was on domestic vacation, Riggs got to fish with Sheshy, and Luke was a water wonder - pure bliss!  Meanwhile, L was on vacation out west hiking his little heart out.  He visited three National Parks and countless historic sites while he was out there and he also got to spend some time with Mit, who was teaching a class on the geology of the National Parks.  L was in "man heaven" and has not been able to shut up about everything he saw, did, and experienced. 

L took the camera so I don't have any pictures of our HH excursion.  L took 17,007 pictures but keeps repeating that words, and even pictures, cannot describe the amazing views and scenes he experienced.  Seems like he sure did try to get the pictures to do the talking!  :)  Anyway, L has yet to go through the photos (please remember he has been home for only 36 hours and he does have a nearly 2 year old who missed him terribly) and choose the blog-worthy ones so you will have to wait on that.  However, here are the Hilton Head highlights:

1. The bike trailer. Success.  Our little "Fickle Fred" decided that he would enjoy the bike trailer this time.  Hooray!  It made for lovely rides to the pool and farmer's market.

2. "Sheshy will fix it."  Luke thinks Sheshy is handy man magic.  Whether it was food that was too hot, a popped balloon, or something that "wasn't working" because it had yet to be turned on..."Sheshy will fix it."  Luckily we are still at the stage where Sheshy can indeed fix most things.  :)

3. Luke ate like a horse.  I am not sure if he is going through a growth spurt or that SC sun just made him hungrier but poor Ima's fridge certainly felt the impact of my little food vacuum.

4. Luke's increased knowledge of Lowcountry birds.  Thanks to Ima, Luke can tell the difference between a Chickadee, a Tufted Titmouse, a Flicker, a Finch, a Cardinal, and a Towheee.  Luke helped Sheshy fill up the feeder and then Luke proceeded to give us daily commentary about who was at the feeder and who's turn it was next if birds were waiting in the wings.  You should have heard the volume increase and disdain when the dreaded squirrels approached!  Pop-pop would be so proud!  :)

5. Car rides.  In HH Luke refuses to go on car rides without the whole clan.  Everytime I told him we were going in the car he proceeded to tell me who would be driving and where Ima and Sheshy would sit.  My bossy little backseat driver.

6. Drip castles.  He is an artist AND he sat still for over 10 minutes to create his masterpieces in the sand.  It was beach bliss.

7. Popicles.  Yes, that is what they are called.  Popicles.  And Luke loves them!  Ima busted out some Tupperware popsicle molds from 1975 and created some delicious concoctions.  The golf course, a popicle, and a post-dinner Luke made for some lovely evenings. 

8. The pool.  Luke was a regular.  Our little fish had no problem acclamating to the cool water that comes up to about his waist.  He wasn't happy just to walk around in the pool, he would crouch down so that water was up to his chin and just shimmy around chasing his toys and chatting with the other kids.  I was amazed how comfortable he was in the water.  He even let me hold him on his back while he "floated" around, giggling the whole time.  Such a happy boy.

9. Ouchie fish.  Now that we are home we have seen a few of our friends and when they ask Luke how his trip was and what did he do he responds with "I catch ouchie fish!"  Sheshy let Luke help him do some fishing and mostly they caught sand sharks.  Luke had no problem petting them and Sheshy even let Luke hold a little sand shark all by himself.  Luke loved it.  "Look, he wiggling!"  However, there were a couple of times when Sheshy and Luke reeled in a sting ray (ouchie fish).  Luke (and Riggs) were not allowed to help get these guys off the hook and back in the water.  Luke cannot stop talking about fishing and if Riggs could talk I am sure every sentence would deal with fishing.  I caught Riggs in a very active dream the other day and I am certain there was a shark involved.  :)

10. 2 hour naps.  Everyday.

11. Playing golf.  T-minus about 5 years until Sheshy has a little golfing buddy.  Our little Tom Kite (I am only using him as an example because I did meet him on a plane once - I do know other golfers) took his putter and ball out to the course after dinner to practice each night and I know he is my son and I am biased but I think he is pretty darn good.  Now all we have to do is work on his patience. 

It was a wonderful trip and the only thing missing was L.  I thought so many times how I wish he was there to see Luke do this or that.  But he was having the time of his life and I am so glad...he deserves it!!  We will all (minus Riggs) be back in HH next week to see the rest of the family and to celebrate Luke's 2nd birthday!  We will be sure to have the camera with us!