Payback's a Beach.

After spending a lovely, if chilly, afternoon at the beach, I must say that it's one of those activities that seems more fun with a child. This time I mean it, no dripping sarcasm here. I had forgotten how much fun it is to pick up shells, dig in the dirt and run away from waves at the shoreline.

Last summer was the first time we'd brought the Captain to the beach. Though timid at first, by the end he had a very confident stride...

But as new parents, sometimes you let their fun outweigh what is best for them. Which brings me to a very important topic and warning to all you parents out there. Sand and poop do NOT mix well together. We found this out the hard way. It seemed innocent enough, letting him eat sand, but it's one of those little known consequences. Turns out that sand has to go somewhere. Imagine, if you will, that instead of using baby wipes you switch to sandpaper for a week. Our poor baby cried himself silly every time we had to clean him and let's just say it was a learning experience for us all. So please, if you do follow those parenting guidebooks, please jot somewhere in the margins a little note...eating sand=bad.