Beach Buddies

Last Sunday was a beach day. Really, it was our first full day of the beach all summer. We packed up the car with sand toys, boogie boards, beach chairs, towels and a cooler full of grub. While the weather at our house was absolutely gorgeous 12 miles inland, somehow the beach deities didn't get the sunshine memo. No, they got the let's-make-the-wind-howl-and-torture-Dee-by-remaining-completely-overcast-until-2-p.m.-when-the-Katz-family-gives-up-and-leaves-memo.

But did we still manage to have fun? Thankfully, we were joined by Lauren's friend Grace and her dad. Watching two energetic kids splashing in the water, digging for sand crabs, burying each other in the sand and letting cherry juice drip down their chins? Oh yeah.

The boogie boards were brought out early. How is it that for kids, 60 degree water coupled with 65 degree air temperatures don't register? At least not until their lips turn blue and they can't stop shaking?

For Lauren, it was her first time trying to catch a wave, with Daddy's help, of course. She was absolutely exhilarated when it happened.


By the third wave, however, she experienced her first mini wipeout. The dunking of her head under the water after sliding off the board did not prove to be a popular move (albeit in less than a foot of water). After tears were dried, the boogie board was retired to the beach blanket and shunned for the rest of the day.

Grace also rocked the surf:


Back on dry land, the girls decided to bury themselves and Grace's dad in the sand.



Mommy thankfully got at least 15 minutes to relax and drink her coffee during this exercise.

Oh, this added another couple of minutes:


In the early afternoon, we packed it up and hightailed it back home, where we all basked in the warmth of the sun enveloping our backyard, and swam in water at least 20 degrees warmer than at the beach. The best of both worlds, truly.