Going to the beach with children
We are in Ft. Lauderdale until tomorrow morning. I have had a bit of ‘bloggers-block’ lately. We have been so busy this summer. Going on trips, visiting with family, work, school, and just plain life. I was sitting in the sand with my husband watching our children run in and out of the water squealing with laughter. It was a surreal moment in the sun with the beautiful ocean and the white sand. Then in an instant the laughter turned into panic as Troy had thrown sand in Sophia’s eyes. She ran to us screaming. I took my water bottle and cleaned her eyes off. Troy ran over to check on his sister knocking me onto my towel getting sand and water everywhere. I was covered with sticky sand and Sophia was screaming because now she had more sand in her face. Troy began to cry at the sight of us toppled over. Tony ran in and took Troy back to the water, I cleaned Sophia’s face. The kids began to ‘play nice’ again and Tony and I resumed our rightful spots in the sand as we laughed together about that peace and tranquil moment we shared.
Isn’t that just how it is with kids? Tony and I enjoy the beach and we have gone many times together before having kids. Back then; it was bikinis and board shorts. A far cry from the load that we track onto the beach with these days; sunscreen, beach chairs, an umbrella, sand toys, towels, sippy cups, hats, sunglasses, a gallon of drinking water, snacks, and the ever important camera. By the time you get everything set up on the beach you don’t want to leave… to pack it all up. Ugh!
As we built sandcastles and counted seashells, I noticed a couple lying on beach chairs under an umbrella about 50 yards away from us. They were tanning and holding hands chatting with their eyes closed. I thought to myself, it is the little things you take for granted, like keeping your eyes closed. There will be no eyes closed with these two running around on the beach. Nope, no eyes closed here, not with Troy and his fearless, endless energy and Sophia the social butterfly who struts along the shoreline talking to everyone.
Don’t get me wrong; we still enjoy going to the beach and we love the joy of watching our children play in the water. However, there is no denying that the beach is a far different place with and without children.
I won’t even begin to discuss the differences in a hotel stay with and without children…
Loading ...
July 18th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Holly, you are soo right girl. The beach is definitely different with children. It’s so funny that you brought this up while you were down there. When Brandon was gone and we lived up in the Panhandle 5 minutes away from the beach. Alana and I started going there (and I only have one kiddo) by the time we got out to the beach with everything I was carrying(because Brandon was gone) I was so frustrated…I was ready to go..lol. We stayed anyway, but each trip was a different adventure. I just wanted a few minutes to relax and get some tan on my fat, but that never happend.