Myrtle Beach

This weekend, my mom and I took the kids to Myrtle Beach. Elizabeth had her first ever dance competition!! We had a great time. We arrived on Friday and boy were we surprised. I had made the reservation at the hotel in North Myrtle Beach where the competition was being held. We ended up with a one bedroom suite. We each had our own bed. Mom and I were in the bedroom, Banastre slept on the fold out couch bed, and Elizabeth slept in the "Hollywood" bed. (the ones that fold out of the wall) We were on the fifth floor with an ocean front balcony. So, Friday night consisted of a run to the grocery store to stock our full kitchen, a walk on the beach, a trip to check out the hotel, and time on the balcony. The kids finally went to sleep around 11, Mom and I stayed out on the balcony until about 2!! Of course, Banastre decided not to sleep and I ended up with about 3 hours of sleep total.

Saturday morning Elizabeth had dance workshops starting at 9 and going until 2. So, Mom, Banastre, and I spent the morning shopping and just driving around while Banastre napped in the car. After Eliabeth's workshops, we had a late lunch in the room, piled in the car and went to play Mt. Atlanticus miniature golf. It was so much fun!!! Afterwards, we drove down the strip in Myrtle Beach. (What trip isn't complete without that!?!) Then off to dinner at Captain Benjamins Original Calabash. We all made pigs of ourselves. They had crab legs and steak on the bar....enough said. We returned to our hotel, rolled up to our room, changed into our bathing suits and hit the indoor lazy river. It was really warm water and Banastre relaxed so much that he started falling asleep as we were swimming along. We decided to go to our room and hit the bed! On the way though, I decided to fall into the kiddie pool and hurt my knee, ribs, arms, and back. But, I didn't drop Banastre and he was just really scared. After applying ice to my knee and baths, we got the kids in bed and Mom and I stayed out on the balcony until about midnight. Banastre decided not to sleep well this night either, so I ended up sleeping on the fold out bed most of the night.

Sunday is Competition day! We got up and started getting Elizabeth dressed, hair and make-up completed, and headed to where the workshops were held the day before. There is no one around. We went to the front desk to find out where we are supposed to be and they tell us the competitions were being held at North Myrtle Beach Hugh School. No one bothered to tell us this fact. So, after a mad dash to the hotel room for keys we are in the Jeep and on our way. We make it in plenty of time.

Elizabeth's "Mini Dream Team" competed beautifully. You never would have known it was their first time performing their tap dance in front of an audience. I am so proud of how she did! It made my heart swell and their aren't enough words to describe how I felt seeing her perform on that stage. There were tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face the entire routine.

We grabbed Elizabeth after her dance, gave her lots of hugs and congratulations, and then hurried back to the hotel to pack up and check out. We hit the beach and had lots of fun playing in the sand and freezing water. Banastre was unsure about all the sand, but he eventually got the hang of it and checked everything!

We left the beach, rinsed off, changed clothes and then headed back to the school for the awards ceremony. I really wasn't sure how our girls would place, but I knew they had done a wonderful job for their first time. Boy were we shocked when the awards were given out! They won Gold (second place in their division), Seventh place over all in all 12&under groups. (Higher than two other of our dance schools veteran competition teams) And they won for best costume of all 12&under groups!!!! Way to go girls!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so proud of you!!!!!!!!

We then started our journey home.

We had a wonderful trip and I am so proud of Elizabeth. We have another competition in Raleigh this weekend. So, wish us luck that they can do this well again!!

There will be another competition in Concord in April. You are all invited to come out and support our girls and see how well they do! As soon as I can find the dates I will let you know when it is. We will also be back in Myrtle beach July 1 - 7, for Showstoppers National Competition. We can't wait!

I will add pics later. I'm a stay at home mom again, so I have plenty of time to catch up. As soon as I upload all 117 pictures I took this weekend I will share them!