The Beach

Last weekend, we made an impromptu trip down to the beach.  We can do that since we live just down the street from the park and beach area.  And ... it helps to have the kids slowly getting to the age where I don't have to pack "everything but the kitchen sink."  Yes, throw the kids in their suits, lather them up with sunscreen, gather a few towels and beach toys, grab a sippee with milk ... and we're off. 

Sometimes we walk and take the stroller.  Sometimes we take the wagon.  This time, we piled loosely into the car and made the 45 second drive to the park entrance.

 

Jack started out in the sand entertaining himself with the shovel and buckets for a while.

 



It still amazes me how little ones just "know" what to do with certain things.  He used the shovel like he has been using one his whole life.

Sophia spent some time cooling off in the water as soon as we made it to the beach.

Before long, Jack wanted to be near the water too.  My little man began the trek to the shore.

And then Sophia did her absolute, most favorite activity at the beach -- making "soup." 

Honestly, she makes trip after trip with buckets and shovels to make her "creations."

Her focus is incredible.

Now, Samantha prefers to spend almost all of her time in the water.  She is getting more daring as she ventures out farther and farther every time. 

She is definitely in her "happy place."

Jack made it to the shoreline and found a toy that captured his attention; it's always nice to have some sort of "reward" for all of your hard work (in this case, crawling across the beach).

Showing Momma his "reward:"

Something for each hand:

I just love his profile.

Deep in concentration:

 

Daddy caught a blue gill in a net and brought it up to show the kids.  Jack wasn't scared of it at all.

 



Before long, Sophia had taught Jack how to make soup:

Inspecting his concoction while the waves crashed in on the shore:

Finally making the long trip back up for his sippee of milk: