The Beach

After Legoland we headed over to the beach.  The kids LOVED it.  I had to clean them up after while they were crying about being cold, covered in sand, and starving, so me...not so much.  At least Cheryl was there to lend a helping hand (and a jacket cover up).

At first they were content to get their feet wet and just run from the surf.  Too bad it didn't last!

Livi was asleep when we got there and stayed asleep for a little while.

When she woke up she didn't think the beach was a good idea and refused to go in the water. 

Ethan started getting more daring.

So did Ella.

Ethan started being silly.  He thought waiting for waves standing like this was a good idea.

He got completely knocked over by a wave.  Big surprise.

Why I Don't Care If We Live Near The Beach

Driving with kids alone is always a longer and more crazy adventure than when I have a helper. I decided to break up the 10 hour (12.5 with kids) drive to California into 2 days. It worked out really well since we were going to Disneyland the next day, so we just went straight down to the beach and met up with my family at Downtown Disney that night.The kids were so excited to be at the beach. We hadn't been since Ethan and Ella were little. I received many incredulous looks when I told them to play in the "dirt" but once they figured it out they went with full gusto.
It was such a beautiful day, perfect weather and we had a blast. It made me really miss living in California... until we had to go. Cleaning off sand is the WORST (especially if you have managed to roll around it until every inch of you is completely covered). We all had sand in so many places that sand likes to go, but drives you crazy when it is there. Back at the hotel it took 3 shampoos each and there was still sand in their hair. Our tub looked like we had managed to bring back half the beach with us. Looking back it was totally worth it, but at the time I remembered exactly why I didn't miss the beach all that much.

Most of the kids liked the beach. Most of them.

We weren't sure we were going to make it to the beach, but after shopping we decided to just take a "quick" drive over to the beach. It may have taken 40 minutes from our hotel (we thought maybe 15) but it was totally worth it. The kids loved it. Well... most of them did. I will explain with photos, since they are supposed to be worth, like, 100 words or something. :) When we first got there everyone was happy. Then Ebby started squinting because he has photosynthesis, or photo-whatever like Andrew (okay, it's photo-phobia and it is real). Then I took Livi down to the water and dangled her legs in the water. BIG MISTAKE. Livi hated it.
"Livi, do you like the water." Livi opens mouth wide and cries. After that she didn't even want to sit on the sand. Finally she started playing in the sand again, but wouldn't let anything but her feet touch it (notice the squat rather than sit). The sun went down and we started to get cold, so we headed back to the hotel and warm baths. Ahhh, baths... I think I hear one calling now.