shell collecting crew

We followed the same vacation routine everyday--eating a homemade breakfast at the condo, packing up the cooler for a picnic lunch, then tackled the whole sunscreen slathering process & finally repacking the XL beach tote. Seriously, I  love my XL thirty one bag to hold all the random stuff that it takes to keep my two going strong all morning long.. We were finally in our Fokens' beach groove.

Did I mention EK hair styling to my morning routine. Yes, I'm having to work that into the hustle and bustle of our often frazzled mornings. She usually has a tangled mess piled high on her head early in the morning. A big bow does wonders to cover up an unforgiving bedhead.

 

I'm noticing more and more that she's replacing the toddler look for a little girl look when she's walking side by side with Miller. Once Landon had our striped umbrella in perfect position and the beach chairs set up by 9:30, he could finally exhale that everything was settled and ready to be enjoyed. Miller's always waiting by his side holding his breath with anticipation just in case Landon will include him on any of his daddy duties. He wants to take over Landon's provisional role so badly. We keep reciting..."one day, when you're a daddy"....

We spent many a morning playing in the sand and building princess castles so she could knock them right down.

We had a whole construction scene as the morning wore on.

The Atlantic shore is home to many different shells that wash up at low tide. The shore had lots of rough shell pieces that sent me looking for my flip flops at times. We loved collecting these treasures on our daily family walk. That boy filled his bucket to the brim with each passing step. Miller and I found the perfect shell as the ideal home for hermit crab. He's been loving that book by Eric Carle this summer. Lots of ooh & ahhs finding rare treasures on our  morning stolls.  Something about beach walking is just good for the soul.