Beach Day

It makes this mama's heart happy to see 

both kids so at home on the beach.

Sand between their toes,

eyes wide in wonder of the waves.

After seeing two sharks caught and released

within 12 hours, we opted for sand play,

but could not stop some shallow surf splashing.

Drip castles and shell hunting

kept us busy for hours

before the majority of the tourists were even awake!

Sunshine and Apples

We like to eat sunshine and apples for breakfast at the beach!

Such a great way to wake up - 

sand, sun, waves, water,

and two boys with joy, joy, joy in their hearts.

I love you sooooooooo much.

Southwick Beach :: Fireworks

A beach bonfire, 

an assortment of fireworks and sparklers, 

and the promise of a s'more

made this night one of the "best ever".

Alekzander and Andrew worked hard digging a fire pit,

setting up fireworks, lighting fireworks, and

cleaning up debris in the dark.

Bedtimes are meant to be broken on vacation

when memories insist on being made.

Southwick Beach :: A Happy Place

After all our adventures of the day,

concluded by peaceful, deep snoozes in the car,

we made it back to Southwick Beach in time 

for dinner and a cloudy sunset.  

The sand between our toes and the warm lake water 

made us happy, happy, happy.

Southwick Beach :: Sunset

 Sunsets up on the lake are gorgeous.

The clouds that rolled in at sunset made this one even more spectacular. 

The sun was like a giant egg sinking into the lake.

Witnessing his first sunset, Alekzander didn't believe that 

the lake would boil as the hot sun sank into it,

even though Uncle Bob tried to convince him of this 'fact'!

He did dip his toes in to report the lake was not even warm.

Southwick Beach :: Water

As much as Anderson loved the sand,

Alekzander loved the water.

He was so confident and so brave.

Jumping and splashing like a dolphin was a new trick

that was nearly perfected.

Uncle Bob challenged him to swim to Canada, 

but Alekzander declined this time

{and kept calling it California}.

Maybe next year when he can really swim

and has a better grasp of geography 

he'll give it a try.

Southwick Beach :: Jump

Alekzander was still for about one minute 

before deciding to use the tube as his launch pad.

Jumping and splashing ... again and again ... ensued. 

Southwick Beach :: Float

My sister and I used to spend hours in the water and on the beach 

playing on a black tire inner-tube/float.

We'd float down the beach with the current, 

try to flip one another out of it, 

jump off of it... the fun was endless.

Then dripping wet, we would drag the 'tire' into the sand 

and hold each others' hands trying to 

stand and balance on the unstable float.

We'd fall into the dry sand, laughing, 

and instantly become powdered sugar doughnuts.

The black float has long ago popped or dry rotted,

but the possibilities of float fun was still alive and well.

Alekzander and Anderson had their share of fun

in a retired yellow snow tube turned float.

Southwick Beach :: Joy

Southwick Beach on Lake Ontario

has not changed much in the 30 years I have been visiting.

It is peaceful and relaxing and unbelievably beautiful.

Bringing my boys back to visit my uncle's camp

{formerly my grandma's} brings me great joy.

During Anderson's first visit to Southwick, 

he shared in the joy and warmed up to the beach immediately.

The water was clear and calm and the sun was hot.

A perfect day on the beach!