Sandy Beaches and Messes

I do not like to be messy.  This should not come as a huge shock to anyone.  I've never really been very outdoorsy either.  I think it's that I don't really like bugs, wild animals, dirt....I could go on.  Heber claims it's because I never found an outdoor activity that I really loved.  He swears that if I got to really like skiing that I'd love winter and snow.  I'm not so sure.

Last week, the kids and I met some friends at Mason Neck State Park.  They have a great playground and kid friendly walking trails.  What more could a mother of toddlers want?

Just off the path, there was a trail that led to a beach and right out onto the water.  I had packed everything we would need for such an event, but had left it all in the car.  Great.  I still let the kids wade into the water and play.  The funniest was watching Amy in the water, she is quite the little fish.  I better get that girl into some swimming lessons.

 

There was sand everywhere but we made it work.  It's not worth passing up these sweet memories to contain the mess.  This is a metaphor for parenthood, I think, to surrender to the mess and enjoy the exploring.   You should have seen the utter joy on their faces.  What's a little sand or a messy face?


It reminded me of a time that we went to Bear Lake a couple of years ago.  Leo was about Amy's age now.  We went with a whole group of friends and watched the little ones toddle around in the sand.  So many good memories.