Knocked in the noggin'

There are moments in life when you realize you might not be normal... or even right in the head. Especially after long days of parenting, teaching, and everything else demanded of you. I will not apologize for my actions, but rather share with you my possible need for a straight-jacket.

If you are a parent then you have had this happen at least once. Most parents know the agony of bedtime or anything associated with sleeping kids. From the early years to the teen years, sleep or waking-up can be "challenging". And I use challenging instead any expletive you would want to add, so in your mind feel free to insert your favorite.

Tonight when my daughter had fallen asleep on the couch *sigh* she proceeded to stretch her legs out. My face just happened to be in the way...

seriously, my face!

How dare my face get in the way of her feet?

I realized, this was my opportunity to have a little fun. I'm going to document this moment of being a personal pillow for her. So she will know her child takes after her when years later feet are ever-so-violently shoved into her face.

This was in honor of all the other parents who are in the way of their child's feet. Next time, we will try to remove our faces from your peaceful slumbering feet... or push you off the couch.

Back to reality

Sadly, our last day was here. We made a morning beach trip... one last time to take in the ocean waves, walk on the sandy beach, and make the most of our time.

The sandcastle village we worked on all week were still there. And later, my mother would tell me about how the village grew. Someone was continuing to build new sandcastles after we had gone. I guess we started a trend (and what a great feeling that is... to spread imagination and playfulness to those around us).

All Good Things Must Come to An End...

 

Now back to reality... back to the books and adventures of our normal non-beach life!

Do you want to build a sandcastle?

A day at the beach is just a fun day. And learning can happen on a beach too.

Sure there are the standards like lessons about the ocean, water cycle, or even reading to the hypnotic waves. But, I found that doing she actually enjoyed doing math... such as drawing the math problems with our feet and racing to solve them before the water washed it away (timed math that was fun?).

And sometimes just running, walking, and dancing on the beach can inspire writing and creative learning. Plus, making dreams a temporary reality. I mean what little girl doesn't like becoming a mermaid?!?!

And it was a wonderful opportunity to explore engineering and shapes through sandcastle building. The lessons were only limited by a lack of trying. So, just be ready to learn while you make memories.

Sandcastle 101

The tips to building a good sandcastle...
1. imagination
2. a little hard work
3. any help you can get
4. have fun... there are no rules!

We made a new sandcastle, out of a different shape, each day. The trick was not the pail, but having water available. The sand needs to be wet (but not so wet it will not take shape... like a bucket full of overly wet sand... that doesn't work). It was just molding wet sand and adding dry sand until the right consistency. That and having a plastic shovel to smooth it with and cut it as needed.

However, the sandcastle is only as good and the creativity and help of your child. So, we added sea shells and washed up items into our castles... as well as a Littlest Pet Shop characters to actually play with their new homes while at the beach.

Mainly, it is just getting out and playing. It was rewarding and fun. It was also good to pass some serious skills of sand-sculpting to my daughter. By the last day, she was creating her own castles right and adding to these.

Good tips on how to build a sandcastle, Click Here

Nighttime Adventures

We finally made our way to the beach to watch the sunset. Before we came to visit my parents, my mother would watch the sunset almost every night. She had sent pictures over the month, before our arrival.

In our busyness, we almost did not make it over to the beach. And what a shame that would have been.

 

Not only did we watch the sunset, my daughter and I went down to the beach to take a few pictures and pretend to soar like airplanes in the cool February night.

 

In these playful moments a stranger walked up to us and offered to take a picture or two. His act of kindness has given me a new favorite picture of us. Not only because we both look happy, but because of the memories that are tied to the picture...

the moments of playing and laughing and love.

Beach-Dancing

Sometimes we are called to dance. It was like a faint whisper speaking to her from the breaking waves. 

Calling out, "Dance like no one is watching!"

 

Not only was it a beautiful day on the beach to dance,

it was a perfect morning to spend with your Nini looking for shells.

Especially, when you have the beach all to yourself.

PS.

A picture is worth a thousand words

It is funny how pictures can tell a story.

My mother is more serious than my father.

  My father is louder than almost anyone (except his twin).

It seems that may be a lot like my father...

 

I think I might really, really, really take after my dad! 

Realizing that we took at least 30 selfies in the middle of a restaurant and didn't care because it was fun!