Beach Day

I told the kids that I would take them to the beach.  We were having warm days and I thought it would be fun.  

So, we went to a govt office (which took three times longer than it should have and we have to go back...sigh...).  Then we went to lunch at a great burger place.

And finally off to the beach.  Where it was a little cooler than that week's average temps had been.  Sigh again.

But, we would not be daunted.

The kids checked out the temp of the water.  Freezing.  I swear the water seems warmer at the beach in March than it does in August.  Every year.

One kid gave up.  

Then later got out of his funk and played with the skim board with his brothers.

One kid slept for a while. 

Some roamed, unsure what to do when the water was cold and Mom forgot the sand toys.  Oops!

Some tried to bury themselves.

And then something changed.  The kids realized they were at a great beach!  Lots of kids in America don't get to hang out at great beaches.

So they played.  James taught his sister how to boogie board.  

Took a while to get out...

Some have shark fears and got in the water...but stayed on shore.

Once out, C got the hang of boogie boarding right off the bat!  She was a natural.  

Later I went out with her and had fun until the salt water got in my eyes and stung.

Baby woke up and was a little grouchy.  I tried to get him to smile with a selfie because he really, really likes looking at himself.

Fail.

But the kids kept playing.

Trying to make Ev laugh, take two.

A little better...

The boys and girl had fun body surfing as well.

And at the end of it all, the kids were begging me to leave them there (on the beach alone!) and go put more money in the parking meter so we could stay longer.

Uh no.  But that means that...

In the end, success!

I called it and we packed up.  We trooped out the car and just as the kids were desanding themselves to get in, rain came.  Giant, juicy raindrops.

We quickly hopped in and took off.  Timing ended up perfect.