Day 6- Why did I take them to the beach?

I took the girls to the beach yesterday.

I hate the beach. Hate. The. Beach. Don't get me wrong, I love the sun and being outside, however, I hate salt water, sand everywhere, and no shade. I hate being hot and sweaty with no reprieve. I hate that the sand gets a thousand degrees. I hate when the wind blows your hat off. I hate 70 year old men wearing, well, I'll spare you. Its just isn't right. I hate when my feet get wet and sand sticks to me. I hate sand in the car and in the car seats. I hate making 40 trips to the water with 4 buckets to get water for the sand castle/tossed sand salad. I hate carrying all the bags, coolers, chairs, and whatever else is needed for our sand fest. I hate taking 47 minutes to put sunscreen all over squirmy kids.

I like pictures of the beach. I like walking on the side walk/boardwalk next to the beach. I like a hotel room that opens up to the beach. I am even ok with a quick, very quick, stroll on the beach during the sunset with Sue. But I hate being on the beach.

My kids love the beach. Love. The. Beach. They love to run on it, lay on it, sit on it, build on it, and bury me on it. They love to throw sand, scoop sand, eat chips with sand on their hand. They also will not let one chip go to waste. If that chip falls on the sand, there is a 30 second rule, unless I am quick enough to stop it.They love to put sand in the beach bag and in the cooler. They love to put sand on the beach towel and stand on the beach chair and get sand all over it. And why would it be necessary to wipe your hands before grabbing the top of the water bottle? I mean, why not have some sand with that refreshing Aquafina? They think its fun to throw sand on me. They think its fun to pour all four buckets of water on the attempted sand castle before I tell them to pour. Casey even thinks that it is fun to pour water on her face. Yay!

I said all of that because yesterday, Sue started her conference and I was trying to figure out something to do with the kids. Then I had to do it. I opened my enormous mouth. "Girls, you wanna go to the beach?" I couldn't stop myself. It was like seeing something happening that you just cant stop. Even in the course of the sentence I had a discussion with my self in my head.

(disclaimer, I do not have multiple personalities regardless of what Sue says)

Me: what are you thinking?

Other me: think of the girls pretty smile as they laugh and play.

Me: you know it's really hot outside and it will be crowded, right?

Other me: Think of the fun playing with them.

Me: You know there's sand there, right? Like a lot of sand. You hate sand. Read the paragraph above.

Other me: yeah, I know, I was there when you wrote it, but, you get to do something with your kids today. There are people all over the world who would kill for a few minutes with their kids or loved ones. God has given you the opportunity to be with your kids everyday. Cherish it. Today you can take them and play with them, and dream with them, and imagine with them, carry them when they are tired of walking in the sand, wipe their hands and faces as they get sand all over them. You can make memories today, and no matter what ever happens, no one can take those memories away from you.

Me: you're right, lets go to the beach!

I took the girls to the beach yesterday. There is a beach in my car right now, but the girls loved it. I loved it. We even talked about God making it. Madelyn even posed the question, "Daddy, you think God ever comes down and walks on the beach?" I responded, "Honey, He was right there with us today."

I took the girls t the beach yesterday.

I think Sue wants to go tonight with the girls...lucky me!