Dear Beach Babies,
We spent a day in Daytona Beach. A great beach as it allows Daddy's chair to run effortlessly across its compact sands. This was the day I most looked forward to, images of my babies running and chasing Daddy across the sand, skipping feet through the cool water.
As I watched the two of you play some things that were already obvious to me became striking in a new way. You both have a lot of enthusiasm for new things, a zeal for jumping right in after a cautious survey of your surroundings. Henry you were beyond any bit self control to be able to wait to make it to the beach. When we got to the water's edge Daddy and I hung back a minute. You stood and stared, digging your toes into the sand. You stretched your arms wide out to your sides, welcoming it all, before crouching to your knees and grasping your hands out, plunging them into the sand and squeezing the sand over and over.
You'd pull out a fist full and pile it to the side, over and over. I felt like you were having a real moment connecting to the earth, the water, the sand.
I was touched watching you. The rest of the day went like this for you, squeezing all you could around you, including Hazel.
This is pretty much our day today at home, too. You like to grab, squeeze, and compress us and the world around you. You can bring such depth and intensity to things sometimes, with a tender edge. I enjoyed watching you run around and try to slip your arms under the water's edge, only to get splashed in the face.
Hazel, you on the other hand, bring light and air to your experiences. Timid at first, you were unsure of the sand and water, only allowing a single big toe to dig.
You stretched your body long and threw your arms back to catch the wind.
Grabbing the sand, you threw small fists high into the air allowing the wind to blow it around.
You plopped your feet in the water resulting in grand splashes that converted to giggles. At one point you shoved your head into the water, standing up quickly you squealed; until you lost your balance and were completely wet!
You are such a sensory seeker you used your head as a bulldozer, moving sand along in front of you. Your gentle way with a punch at the end seems so joyful and buoyant.
You both are so different, yet I love that variety and the challenges those differences bring. To top our day, the ice cream truck drove along the beach and we were ready. Henry you tried to protect Hazel from the cars crossing the beach but she was too concerned with catching up to me to eat her Screwball ice cream.
We played together a bit more before we were kicked off the beach as the sun set, Daddy chased you both some and enjoyed your love of the beach.
A beautiful afternoon with my family, complete with some insight into how you each operate. I had a moment of sadness for those that don't get to leave the area they live in, those who don't get a break, those who don't get to see different trees and landscape.
There is nothing like it for moments of peace and perspective. I am grateful Daddy works so hard that we are able to take such a trip, to give you these experiences every human deserves.
Love, Mama
Dear Peep Blanket Bingo,
After the springs Daddy drove us to Daytona Beach to walk and roll on the sand. The grains are so compact that Daddy was able to roll his chair out onto the beach with us. It was really exciting! You giggled and ran and ran as fast as you could across the beach, like a little water bug. Its flat expanse sped up your ever-quickening strides. You used your speed to chase the birds with me and Tantanoose (Daddy).
You relished standing at the water's edge only to be reduced to jitters and howls when then cold water gripped your toes.
You also poked at unfortunate jelly fish beached and de-tentacled by the hungry pestering from the birds. You pocketed a couple of seashells to bring back to Grandpa Tim and we pried ourselves from the sand back toward the car.
"Tinkle Tinkle, Ding Ding, Tinkle!" What!?! A bright yellow ice cream truck drew closer from the horizon line to stop just in front of us. Daddy and I flashed looks of excitement ordinarily relegated to 10 year old's rummaging spare change from their pockets. I leaped to Daddy's back pack for his wallet, this was no spare change priced ice cream truck. We purchased a 3 dollar Bomb Pop. I've failed to mention your excitement! I mean this is all about you, right?! You ran up and studied the pictures on the side.
