An Impromptu Beach Trip

Yesterday was a good day. It felt great outstide, the kids were in good moods, we didn't really have any plans for the day, and Eric and I felt up for anything. We decided to go on a day trip to the beach since it's only about 2 hours from our house. In order to make the trip bearable we thought it would be a good idea to drive during naptime. On our way out of Laurel we stopped to get lunch for us and Kaleb. McDonald's took so long that by the time we actually got the Happy Meal Kaleb was asleep. We asked him if he wanted to eat or continue with his nap and he indicated he wanted to eat. You know what's incredibly cute? A sleeping little boy trying to eat a chicken nugget. He would take a bite (eyes shut), chew it a little bit, and fall asleep. When we tried to take his chicken nugget away, he would lift it back to his mouth and take another sleepy bite. Needless to say, he didn't even make it through one chicken nugget before he was out for the count. We just saved his food for when he woke up. After we got through Hattiesburg, and close to Paul B., he woke up and ate his Happy Meal then he wanted to sing songs the rest of the way down there. You know the cliche of "Are we there yet?" Yeah, it's from a three and a half year old on his way to the beach for the first time in his memory. He's definitely been to the beach before...several times. He just doesn't quite remember it. Here's a little montage of his beach experiences:

This was Labor Day 2 years ago in Destin

He was about 10 months old in St. John

This was about 4 months old in Orange Beach

So there ya have it. He's been there and done that. But, like I said, he doesn't remember it. This was, however, Peyton's first trip to the beach. Once we got there we got the boys sunlotioned. (I'm not sure that's even a word)

The view and the water was very typical of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We didn't spend too much time in the water for obvious reasons.

Glove in the water

This wasn't the prettiest view, but since Kaleb's obsessed with excavators we picked it anyway.

The dirt that polluted the water. No blue waters here.

Kaleb had fun digging in the dirt, being buried, and making castles with Eric and me.

Playing with Daddy

Burying his legs

Playing with Mommy

He also enjoyed running around on the water's edge, filling up a tupperware container with water, and pouring that water all over the sand. To dry off he rolled around in the sand. Yep, we had to change him. Tip: Wear beach clothes and always bring a change. Maybe two.

Peyton had a good time, too for the most part. He loves watching his brother and since he's not crawling or walking he pretty much sat up or laid down and did that the whole time.

 

 

There was one point where he was sitting up and then reached for something and fell face first in the sand! It covered his whole head from his hairline to his chin. I would have taken a picture if I didn't think he was going to scratch his eyes with the sand. It took a lot of wiping but I finally got most of it off. It was harder to get it off his eyelids and eyelashes (poor baby!) butI fed him a bottle and while he was taking it I worked on his eyes. Tip: Keep some dry material with you. We used an extra pair of shorts this time.

While Peyton was taking his bottle, Kaleb decided he needed to go to the bathroom. Since there weren't any around us Eric had to drive him to a gas station or somewhere to go. While they were gone, Peyton and I just laid around and made silly faces. Soon after the two bigger boys got back, Peyton was ready for a nap so Eric and I took turns holding him by the water until he fell asleep. After that, he was out!

He has the silliest little grin when he sucks that bottom lip in.

Wearing brother's sunglasses for a bit

Ain't he sweet?

 

 

Like I said, it was a good day. I'm blessed to have my boys.