The Beach ...

We haven't really been down to the beach too much yet this season.  The weather has been a little questionable -- some cooler days mixed with a lot of rain (so much rain lately!) -- and end of the school year activities have filled our schedule.  But, last week, on a whim, I told the kids to get their bathing suits and we could make a trip down to the beach, despite the blowing wind.  We needed a chance to breathe in the fresh air and to bury our toes in the sand.

We loaded up the van (this is the far better plan compared to walking and trying to carry everything) and zipped down to the vacant beach for just over an hour.  Enough time to tired everyone out so that they could eat lunch and nap as soon as we got back.

It's safe to say everyone was excited to be there:

The girls couldn't wait to go splashing in the water:

Their happiness was contagious:

Jack spent the majority of his time filling bucket after bucket ...

Over and over again.  So many trips back and forth.  It was almost mesmerizing to watch him.

Sophia tried out her new "Puddle Jumper" floater to help her out in the water.  I just love how caring Samantha is towards her younger siblings.  She has so much patience for them and is willing to help them with anything.

It was a success.

In fact, even after she was done swimming, Sophia opted to keep wearing it on the beach.

Making sand castles:

"All clean, Momma!"

Cooling off in the water:

 

 

And just for fun, this was my little man one year ago.  He wasn't even walking then; he was content to simply sit in the sand and soak his toes.  And he kept a sunhat on his head -- not so much this year!