Fun in the sun

I don't know how it escaped our attention for the last few years, but there is a beach less than a half hour from our house! The past two weekends we loaded up and headed there for a morning of fun in the sun. It was definitely fun, but a whole different experience to take a 2-year-old and a nearly 8-months pregnant self to the beach for the day. The amount of sunscreen, snacks, and gear is at least triple what it was when Daddy and I were foot-loose and fancy free. But back then, we didn't get to hang out with this crazy girl:

Yesterday's trip was mostly focused on Daddy's and Hope's sand castle. He was the work force, she provided the direction (or so it seems).

Hope's art teacher tells me every week what an incredible attention span she has for her age. I believe it! Like with any of her pretend games, which she still prefers to real toys, she stuck with this for a good hour. What? It doesn't take you an hour to build a simple sand castle? You must not be working with a toddler.

I asked Daddy if he cared that he was doing all the 'entertaining' while I sat in the shade and took pictures. He said, "Seriously? You think I mind playing in the dirt and hanging out with Hope?" Duh. Not only that, but she gave him some good rewards for all his work.

When the castle was complete, Hope declared that she was a princess and Daddy was the prince. She took him by the hand and led him into the castle where they danced, sat on the 'throne,' and ate pretend cupcakes. Then they had a ball tearing the whole thing down.

Not a bad way to spend a morning :)