We wanted to do something as a family to celebrate my birthday. Saturday ended up being the perfect beach day so we thought we would give it a try. We chose the Indiana Dunes as our destination, packed up our sand toys and beach towels and off we went. Chicagoland traffic of course held us up but we got to the beach in perfect time- got a parking spot in the 2nd row and 15 min before the water opened.
As we got to the edge of the parking lot Camden and Donovan were amazed by the sight. "Water water" they shouted as they started running. Stopping suddenly in their tracks when their sandals filled with sand. "Up please" they begged. So we each shifted our bags and hoisted a (heavy) toddler up on our hip as we made the trek across the sand to find a spot closer to the water. We got our beach blanket spread out and the kids settled- their eyes quickly spotting a few boats out on the lake.
Camden and Donovan checking out the lake from our beach spot
Camden and Donovan were happy to play with their sand toys and buckets of water, as long as they could do so from the "safety" of our beach blanket!
Camden digging
Donovan using the "fork" (when we picked out their sand toys at target he kept calling the rake a fork!)
Donovan watching the boats again
Cooling off Mommy's feet with water from the buckets Daddy filled
Daddy showed Camden how to throw the ball and catch it in his shovel- he tried over and over to do it just like Daddy
Mommy, come back on the blanket- I NEED you!
After a while of playing it was getting quite warm so we walked (ie: Mom and Dad walked carrying the boys) down to the shore. At first the boys were curious of the water... but then it washed up on their feet. Then the tears started- the water was moving the sand from under their feet and they were loosing their toes in the sand. Not a happy feeling for unsuspecting little ones. It was back to the blanket in no time!
After a bit it was time for lunch. Daddy make the trip back to the car to retrieve our picnic lunches. After munching on sandwiches and chips, we had a favorite summer treat- watermelon!
Despite it not being "the perfect beach experience" I think it was a great memory for our family. We hope to go again next year when the boys are a little older and braver. But for now, we'll stick to our backyard pool!
As we got to the edge of the parking lot Camden and Donovan were amazed by the sight. "Water water" they shouted as they started running. Stopping suddenly in their tracks when their sandals filled with sand. "Up please" they begged. So we each shifted our bags and hoisted a (heavy) toddler up on our hip as we made the trek across the sand to find a spot closer to the water. We got our beach blanket spread out and the kids settled- their eyes quickly spotting a few boats out on the lake.
Camden and Donovan checking out the lake from our beach spot
Camden and Donovan were happy to play with their sand toys and buckets of water, as long as they could do so from the "safety" of our beach blanket!
Camden digging
Donovan using the "fork" (when we picked out their sand toys at target he kept calling the rake a fork!)
Donovan watching the boats again
Cooling off Mommy's feet with water from the buckets Daddy filled
Daddy showed Camden how to throw the ball and catch it in his shovel- he tried over and over to do it just like Daddy
Mommy, come back on the blanket- I NEED you!
After a while of playing it was getting quite warm so we walked (ie: Mom and Dad walked carrying the boys) down to the shore. At first the boys were curious of the water... but then it washed up on their feet. Then the tears started- the water was moving the sand from under their feet and they were loosing their toes in the sand. Not a happy feeling for unsuspecting little ones. It was back to the blanket in no time!
After a bit it was time for lunch. Daddy make the trip back to the car to retrieve our picnic lunches. After munching on sandwiches and chips, we had a favorite summer treat- watermelon!
Despite it not being "the perfect beach experience" I think it was a great memory for our family. We hope to go again next year when the boys are a little older and braver. But for now, we'll stick to our backyard pool!
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