Baby Jaws

Friday, Drew found out about the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Sand Castle Competition. We decided to go. Judging started at 3pm so we thought if we got there about 1, we could walk around, see them as they were being built and then the finished product. Plus, we were on the beach so it would be lovely, right?

As we drove, traffic got really heavy. We debated whether to turn around or not. We kept going. Then when we finally got to Galveston, we headed to the East Beach where the sand competition was held.

We didn't make it to the East Beach. Everyone from Texas decided to go. And we didn't care at all.

We found a different beach, parked our van right next to the beach and set up our little area. Seriously, our van was 10 steps from our blanket. It was awesome.

Sage ran right for the ocean. Drew followed close behind. As I finished getting sunscreen on Levi and putting him in a swim diaper, I asked if the water was cold. Cold, y'all. Anyone want to remind me that we were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico?



It was warm enough for the baby to sit!

Kolby was hesitant at first but after Drew showed him how to turn his body away from the waves so they didn't splash his face, then he loved it.






Sage learned to swim last week at swimming lessons. And he loved being able to practice in the ocean. And jump into the waves. I have to admit, it made me really nervous to be watching him from so far away so I didn't watch a whole lot. Drew was very close to him at all times. And he could touch.





He used a stick to bat the waves. Sometimes, he would yell "Homerun!"



We thought we would walk down the beach to the sandcastle competition. We didn't make it. It was a long way. Sage didn't want to get out of the water, Kolby couldn't stop throwing things or whatever he was doing. Then he started crawling in the water like Sage. And again, we weren't disappointed. The ocean, the breeze, the salty air, the smell, the sun all made up for it.



Just because he doesn't like to be left out.



This guy set up next to us. Drew asked him what he was fishing for and he answered, quite seriously, baby sharks. I thought he might possibly be lying to us and prepared to tell the internet with this picture what a poser he was. Like he was going to catch baby sharks.

And then he reeled in this:



I didn't take pictures of numbers 2 and 3. And then we left.

Not because of the baby sharks swimming by my boys feet, it was just time to go.

His 2 or 3 year old son may have thought I was the crazy lady after I ran at him yelling "Yucky, yucky!" as he drank from a McDonalds cup that had been sitting on the beach since before we arrived. His dad was a little busy.

We also got to see jelly fish and seagulls. Obviously, all was right with the world.



I needed this day so badly. It was so great to be away from the city and enjoy time with my family. Every weekend, I feel like I need a break so I go shopping. Because where else can I go? But this, this was so much better than shopping.

And next time, I will have a full suit so I can more fully enjoy the water with my boys.

I'm already planning next time! I can't wait!