A day at the beach

When you think of a trip to the beach, what do you think of? Relaxing in the sun? Cooling off in the ocean? Sitting back and doing absolutely nothing? That all sounds wonderful doesn't it? Well when you're a parent, a trip to the beach goes a little bit different.

Lets start with taking a dip in the ocean. Someone without kids slowly steps into the water, whereas the water steps onto you as a parent. Yeah, it does not matter how freezing cold that water may be, get even relatively close and it will end up all over you and in your face. Kids rather splash the water everywhere then take a gentle approach. Its kind of like bath time when you tell them to keep the water in the tub and somehow more water ends up on the bathroom floor then in the tub. If they could, they would empty that entire ocean on you. And little piece of advice, do not give your kids buckets by the water, because I bet you can guess how that ends.

After a refreshing dip, I mean cannonball into the ocean, nothing is better then laying on your beach towel and drying off from the suns warm rays. That is unless you have kids. Remember that part about giving up your personal space, yeah that doesn't take a break on vacation. One minute you are laying on your beach towel and the next you are over come with burning sand in every little crevice. Who knew such tiny feet had the power to kick up what feels like all the sand on the beach. If you have never had to crunch sand in your mouth or pick it out of your very thick hair, trust me when I say you are not missing out on much. And oh, the whole this is Mommy's towel and that ones yours does not work. At least it does until your child walks their sand caked feet all over it. If you are lucky, they may even jump on it and send said sand shooting everywhere.

Now if those things don't make you want to hop on a airplane right away, maybe the daily sunscreen applications will. Ever try to apply sunscreen to a angry alligator? That's getting pretty close to what its like to apply sunscreen not once, not twice but 4 times a day to a antsy three year old. Who knew they had so many little spots that could get sunburned. I mean even their little toes, ears and scalp need it! By the time you are said and done, one of you will be on the ground in the fetal position while the other is running around screaming covered head to toe in white. I will let you decide who is doing what. There has to be some peace and quiet after all that right? Ha wrong. Between the tantrums for having to get out of the pool, not wanting to get a hair wash (usually more then once thanks to sun screened hair) and the being too tired to walk whines, vacation is anything but relaxing.

But as crazy as it may sound, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I wouldn't trade the long grossly sweaty and exhausting sand filled days for anything. I rather lug my three year old up and down the beach any day over a nice relaxing beach chair. My daughter taught me sand is enjoyed much more when played with then viewed from your seat. The ocean is meant to be splashed in and chasing waves to end your day is just the fun you need. Finding seashells, even the broken ones, is like christmas morning to curious minds. A trip to the beach is a whole new world when its explored with kids, one I hope I get to explore many more times.

~Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.~