And when a toddler is throwing sand on you? Yeah, not so much fun. I swear, I spent a good hour with the kids in the shower, just trying to get the sand out from places that the sand shouldn’t be.
But, they were smiling for the entire trip – and that was well worth it.
You know – the first day, they were timid about the sand, and downright cautious about the water. By the end of the day, though, CJ had realized that you could jump in, throw around, and roll in the sand, and he loved it (seriously, there were times that he was simply dumping it over his head). Leila never really seemed to like the sand, but she didn’t mind it, either. She LOVED, though, being able to go from person to person to person (there were 23 adults, in total, at the beach – so there was always someone new to go to, and usually at least one person eating), and by the end of the week, if you turned your back on her for a second, she’d crawl down to the surf line (she loved playing in the waves).
Such wonderful, giddy-making pictures! I especially love the sandy-face picture, but all these pictures paint a picture of an absolutely delightful week away. I’m beaming just having seen the pictures–so much the merrier if I’d actually been at the beach with my family! Nice to dream. 😉
That picture is my favorite, too. We spent all day keeping him from destroying sand castles . . . and then he found that one, and I knew I didn’t have time to stop him from stepping on it, but I did have my phone handy 😉
The kids did, in fact, have a blast. In fact, they enjoyed the week more & more as it went on. There were cranky moments, as toddlers are wont to have, but it was just, really, a completely marvelous week.
That sand one, I know I can be a spaz about dirt but I am so glad my kids are old enough I don’t have to clean sand out of their swim suits. Ugh. Girls are harder to desand, I am sure of it.
And pure joy it was. If I could bottle that week at the beach up, and just take a sip of the joy when I need it, I would have . . . more effective than wine. Not that wine doesn’t serve its own purpose, though 😉
Yeah, that little bugger is too cute for his own good. And he kept on pouring sand all over himself. Talking with other parents, I certainly prefer the “embrace the sand” mentality he had over “fear the sand” that so many other people have to deal with, but I’d have preferred if he didn’t embrace it so much that we had sandy diapers for two weeks afterward 😉
The beer is, kind-of, the most important part 😉
The whole week was magical . . . I loved that the kids just got more & more into it as we spent time there. I can’t wait until they’re actually talking & not fighting naps half the day 😉
I talked to TONS of people, who all said that they didn’t notice a difference when they started putting the kids in the trailer. I call bullshit. It’s like cycling into a constant headwind. But, it’s still awesome . . . my kids were a tad bit young to really “get it,” but you could tell, by the end of the week, that they were starting to dig it. I need to start taking them more regularly at home . . . but I haven’t done much in the way of cycling since RAGBRAI.
The Adventures of Daddy Runs a Lot 
that’s a lot of fun right there!
although, the sand in the face makes me itch. not a fan of sand.
And when a toddler is throwing sand on you? Yeah, not so much fun. I swear, I spent a good hour with the kids in the shower, just trying to get the sand out from places that the sand shouldn’t be.
But, they were smiling for the entire trip – and that was well worth it.
OMG! So cute.
But seriously, how did you get them to not freak out in all that sand?
You know – the first day, they were timid about the sand, and downright cautious about the water. By the end of the day, though, CJ had realized that you could jump in, throw around, and roll in the sand, and he loved it (seriously, there were times that he was simply dumping it over his head). Leila never really seemed to like the sand, but she didn’t mind it, either. She LOVED, though, being able to go from person to person to person (there were 23 adults, in total, at the beach – so there was always someone new to go to, and usually at least one person eating), and by the end of the week, if you turned your back on her for a second, she’d crawl down to the surf line (she loved playing in the waves).
Such wonderful, giddy-making pictures! I especially love the sandy-face picture, but all these pictures paint a picture of an absolutely delightful week away. I’m beaming just having seen the pictures–so much the merrier if I’d actually been at the beach with my family! Nice to dream. 😉
It really, really was a damn-near perfect week. Lots of laughing, and no shortage of beer 😉
The sand-covered-asleep-in-the-car-seat pic tells the story of your week so well. And all of them make me miss the beach – we just moved from LA…
I keep on telling myself that I’ll retire close-enough to the beach to visit . . . I can certainly understand missing it, if it were that close.
I want to go to the beach! My favorite picture is toddler as godzilla! Looks like tons of fun!
xo Susie
That picture is my favorite, too. We spent all day keeping him from destroying sand castles . . . and then he found that one, and I knew I didn’t have time to stop him from stepping on it, but I did have my phone handy 😉
That looks like so much fun!!! It seems so relaxing and busy all at the same time! Did the kids have a blast?
The kids did, in fact, have a blast. In fact, they enjoyed the week more & more as it went on. There were cranky moments, as toddlers are wont to have, but it was just, really, a completely marvelous week.
That sand one, I know I can be a spaz about dirt but I am so glad my kids are old enough I don’t have to clean sand out of their swim suits. Ugh. Girls are harder to desand, I am sure of it.
I need a week at the beach. Send one to me??
Oh, that I could send a week at the beach to you.
And girls are MUCH harder to de-sand. It’s not even close.
Looks like fun!
Corona is a must on the beach.
You know, I’m not usually a fan of Corona (screwing in a canoe), but on the beach, it simply works.
We go to Chincoteage every year and I LOVE it. So cannot wait for this years trip even more, now. Great pictures — you can feel the joy.
Wait – you go to Chincoteague every year, too? We may need to coordinate schedules one of these years . . .
John,
That’s what joy looks like.
Pure.
Thanks for sharing the love.
Really.
And pure joy it was. If I could bottle that week at the beach up, and just take a sip of the joy when I need it, I would have . . . more effective than wine. Not that wine doesn’t serve its own purpose, though 😉
Such great photos and moments captured!
My fave is the sandy face- oh my the cuteness!
Yeah, that little bugger is too cute for his own good. And he kept on pouring sand all over himself. Talking with other parents, I certainly prefer the “embrace the sand” mentality he had over “fear the sand” that so many other people have to deal with, but I’d have preferred if he didn’t embrace it so much that we had sandy diapers for two weeks afterward 😉
I’m definitely in need of a week at the beach!
Great pictures-and beer is definitely a must for a beach trip.
We’ve been doing this for years . . . it may be my favorite week of the entire year.
Great pictures!! I LOVE the beach, the sand, the waves…the beer 😉
The beer is, kind-of, the most important part 😉
The whole week was magical . . . I loved that the kids just got more & more into it as we spent time there. I can’t wait until they’re actually talking & not fighting naps half the day 😉
Beer, milkshakes, & kiddos at the beach! Loving it!
It was a damn-near-perfect week!
I got stupid-excited when I saw the trailer. We haul both girls in it, and – man – does it weigh a lot with the two of them. But it rides so well!
I talked to TONS of people, who all said that they didn’t notice a difference when they started putting the kids in the trailer. I call bullshit. It’s like cycling into a constant headwind. But, it’s still awesome . . . my kids were a tad bit young to really “get it,” but you could tell, by the end of the week, that they were starting to dig it. I need to start taking them more regularly at home . . . but I haven’t done much in the way of cycling since RAGBRAI.
Now that is a great week at the beach.
It was.
And? It’s great to have new readers! Welcome!
I love this string of photos. Awesome!!
WOOHOO, I LOVE NEW READERS!
And thank you – it was a truly awesome week at the beach 🙂