A Day At The Beach

The kids had their first day at a "real" beach over the weekend. They both had a blast and the weather was perfect for a beach day. We were in New Jersey for Tom's Grandpa's 90th birthday party. We headed over to the beach both Friday evening and morning/early afternoon Saturday. The kids had been to the beach before, but never been allowed to play in the water, it was just a "look at the beach" trip really.

When we got there on Friday they both immediately wanted to get into bathing suits so they could go swim. Erin and Grandma W. headed down to the shore quickest while Jeffrey, Tom and I trailed behind somewhat. Apparently Erin ran straight into the waves, and subsequently got knocked over. Well that was the end of that for her. She stayed down in the surf for another few minutes but only if she was sitting on someone's shoulders. She and Tom ran around in the waves, but it was only OK as long as Erin was in no danger of getting wet at all.



Jeffrey also got knocked over by the first wave that hit him. He was a little unsure of the water for the next few minutes but before too long was out in the ocean with Tom and his Great-Uncle Pat. He loved being in the water, which was quite warm for NJ water. He'd splash and giggle every time a wave would come nearby.

While Jeffrey decided the ocean was great, Erin wanted to walk along the beach. We followed some seagulls, and found a little playground for her to climb around in. It appears that Erin is much more of a "beach" girl than an "ocean" babe. She got out a shovel and pail, found a water source that didn't require going near the ocean and build sand castles with Grandma. Although she hasn't really mastered the sand castle technique she likes filling up the buckets with, well the best word for it is mud, and dumping it out.

Uncle Pat and Aunt Linda's beach club also has a swimming pool that we visited. Erin took quite a long time to decide it was OK to play in the "kitty kat" pool (the kiddy pool). Her trauma at the surf made her very wary of any water. A little girl in the pool encouraged her to come in and play and after about 15 minutes Erin was splashing in the kiddy pool.

Jeffrey also adored being in the pool. This is the same child who was terrified of swimming lessons, and screamed before we even got into the water. By the middle of Saturday afternoon he was trying to wiggle away when being held in the pool and would "swim" between people holding him. He even decided it would be fun to run off the edge of the deck into the pool. Look out mommy I'm coming after you. So the kids have clearly reversed roles. Erin, who loved the water so much as a baby is now quite afraid of it and Jeffrey can't get enough of it.

So we had a great time at the shore, playing in the sand and swimming and splashing. Thanks very much, Uncle Pat and Aunt Linda for letting us come to the beach and having such a fun day!!!