Sunday, August 19, 2007

Sunkissed and lovin' it.

I went to the beach with a friend and her girls today. Very unusual for here, to be able to go to the lake the end of August. At any rate, it was a gorgeous day and I loved every minute. The Terrors were in heaven, despite freezing half to death. They wouldn't have been so cold if they didn't insist on dumping buckets of water over their heads.
When I was growing up in Nova Scotia, we spent every day all summer at the beach. We would pack a lunch, towels, and some air mattresses, and go for the day with another family. I was impressed that my mother was willing to do this. She hates the water, socializing is torture for her, and spending time with me was not a fun way to spend the day. Now I "get" why she didn't mind the beach. Sitting on the sand, feeling the warm sun, and talking to another mom is the absolute best way to spend the day. (Plus, she didn't have to talk to me. I was busy with my friend, being a mermaid.)
The Terrors are old enough now that I can step back and watch, and I don't have to worry that Boy Terror will walk off into the lake. Girl Terror is no longer scared of sand fleas. They can entertain themselves for at least 15 minutes, and with help from their little friends, they stayed busy for hours today!
I'm not very good at just....lounging. I love the beach, I like the idea of relaxing, but it doesn't come naturally to me. I'm always thinking about the "schedule." I feel guilty if I am doing "nothing". So today was a good lesson in calming down, taking a deep breath, and showing my kids that I am not just about the cleaning and nagging. I snuggled my son for a long time. I laughed with my daughter on the way home. I feel....well, I guess I feel as if I just spent a day at the beach. It's a very good way to feel.
(Thanks, Buffy!)

6 comments:

Rootietoot said...

Yay for beaches! I know precisely how you feel- sitting still makes me twitchy, but soft sand, squealing kids (in a good way), and a cooler full of drinks is a very good thing indeed. Only difference between us is my beach is in South Georgia, and getting in the water is a must if you don't want to bake in the 105 degree sun.

OldHorsetailSnake said...

You've done something (felt good) on a trip to the beach that I have never been able to do. It seems so...time-wasting? Something like that.

Anonymous said...

we too just returned from camping at the beach(pine lake) who knew beaches in the yukon in august could be so much fun! I'm glad it was a good day weather wise and you had a relaxing time!

Anonymous said...

Your Welcome!!! We had a good time and Jordanna was so happy to have a girl to play with!!!

M&Co. said...

Oh what a great way to spend the day!

M&Co at MyOwnCircleOfConfusion

Anonymous said...

I have the same trouble "relaxing" and doing nothing. So glad you had a great time with your kids.