Beach Day

Last year we didn't go to the beach at all. I think it was a combination of Nate getting ready for Alaska, a mild summer, and Felix being a difficult age for the beach. This year we are trying to make up for last year's lack.

We decided to try a single-day beach trip. We woke up in the morning, packed all our stuff, drove the 2.5 hours to the beach, spent five hours playing, packed up, ate dinner, and drove 2.5 hours back. Some people might think think was a little crazy, but it really worked for us. The beach with little children is not relaxing. It is fun, but it is a lot of work, and 5 hours was enough. We'd do the one-day trip again.

Behold! The happiest child in the world:

All the boys:

Warming up:

 

Beckett is notorious around here for hating to be cold. After a bath he shivers his way back to his room taking the tiniest, shuffling steps and muttering about how cold he is the entire way. Then he likes to sit in front of the heater for as long as I'll let him. None of this seemed to matter at the beach.

We even got a rare shot of all four of us:

Independence Day

A Yellow Birthday

Beckett turned five! He is such a delight these days. Curious, talkative, and imaginative, he can play for hours making up "stories" with his toys. He loves having friends over. He has really taken to swimming lessons this summer.

Beckett's favorite color is yellow. When we invited his friend Miriam over for his birthday, she set aside all of her yellow clothes to wear to the party. I thought this was about the most darling thing ever, and, since Beckett had requested a yellow cake, we decided to roll with the yellow theme.

 Felix shows off the yellow food.

Beckett was thrilled with the new Lego set. He got a few practical presents too and declared, "Underwear! My favorite!" He was completely serious.

The yellow crew plus one.

Nate took the kids on "hay rides."

Here's what Beckett has to say about himself at five:

What is your favorite color?

I kind of like two colors now. It’s going to be yellow and … light blue.
 
What is your favorite toy?

Gordon and my Legos.
 
What is your favorite food?

Nutella sandwiches

What is your favorite TV show?

Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Phineas and Ferb 

What is your favorite outfit?

Yellow shirts 

What is your favorite game?

The plane game and Candyland 

What is your favorite snack?

A bar and some graham crackers 

What is your favorite animal?

cats 

What is your favorite song?

Give Said the Little Stream and Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam 

  

What is your favorite book?

Drummer Hoff Fires It Off and A Charlie Brown Christmas

Who is your best friend?
Miriam and Hyrum

What is your favorite sport?

Swimming

What is your favorite thing to do outside?

Running around in the sun when I’m too cold

What is your favorite drink?

Soda and water

What is your favorite holiday?

When Daddy stays home

What do you like to take to bed with you at night?

Pillow Percy

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Cakes and sausage

What’s your favorite season?

Winter

What’s your favorite thing about our house?

I like how the basement is underground

What’s your favorite thing about your room?

That is has train tracks and a switched for my hand

What is your favorite thing to do with Felix?

Swimming and playing with the trains

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy

When we tell train stories

What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy

Play games

What is your favorite thing about your birthday?

I like how I can get presents. 

Happy birthday Beckett. Here's to a great year.