Mountains! Beach! or Both!…

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The family headed out on Friday afternoon, after a hard week’s work to get some R&R at Grandma and Grandpa’s condo in Bradenton, FL. This home away from home has been a blessing to Kathy and I as a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everday life and find some time to enjoy each others company and clear our heads. There is so much to do in the area, including boating, St. Armands circle, Golf, and shopping and drinking (we like the Waterfront Restaurant the best), but are favorite activity is to take our rambunctious toddler to one of the many beaches in the area.

This trip we choose Coquina beach, mainly for its proximity and simple walk from the car to the water. This was Davy’s first trip to the waterfront as a big-boy walking, and we were very impressed by the way he made his way to the sand. Once he got there we dug some more holes, filled them with water and let Davy splash and toss sand every which way…After a while, Davy and dad strolled down to the shore and sat in the sand while the waves came a shore. A couple of more powerful waves knocked him over, but he quickly got up and went back at it.

It was not until I got home that I realized that we had been at Coquina Beach and that there is a reason that they call it this. As the waves rushed past Davy and I and then rolled back to sea, they deposit millions of little egg shell like pebbles called coquinas in the back pocket of my swim trunks and davy’s diaper. As we stripped down to shower, we redeposited these stones on the floor in the bathroom!!!!! What a mess…but well worth it.

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It couldn’t have been a more beautiful March day. Sarah and the boys were leaving that weekend and since I was going to be gone, Davy and I decided to drive down and spend the day with them. Sarah wanted to go to the beach. Now, Andy and I made a lot of trips to the beach last year, however, Davy really wasn’t that mobile so I previously wasn’t to worried about the sand. Was he going to like the sand? Historically, Davy does not like to have his hands dirty. He violently waves them around in air and screams until you wipe them clean….I could only imagine his expressions about sand. Now, would he rub his eyes, get it in his mouth, up his nose…I really had no idea what to expect. Much to my surprise, he loved it. Of course he would! What was I thinking? Or worried about? All little kids love the beach. At first he was hesitant, but Liam and Charlie were squealing with delight and he just relaxed and got dirty. The boys played for at least two hours: Digging holes, running back and forth to the gulf for water and blowing bubbles. We walked down to the water’s edge and let the surf roll over our feet. Davy’s feet were sucked under and he had a hard time with his balance. This in combination with the cold temperature of the water was enough for him. I do remember last year him liking the pool better. So all in all, the trip to the beach was a huge success. Now I have to run out and buy lots of beach toys….