Beach Baby, Beach Baby There in the Sand

As I was staring down the final days of July, and looking on to the month of August - and Julia's rapidly approaching first birthday - it dawned on me that we hadn't made a trip to the beach *at all* this summer. Erroneous! 

After a solid round of pepping talking myself into accepting the challenge of toting both babes plus allllll the things that are mandatory for any beach trip (buckets and shovels and beach towels and sunscreen and water and snacks and all the props for a little photo shoot), we made it a point to hit up one of our favorite local beaches early one morning. 

It was the first time the little lady was able to really discover all the goodness a beach has to offer. 

There was digging little fingers and toes into the sand, taste testing said sand (on numerous occasions, I didn't even fight it), helping the big brother build (destroy) sand castles, feeling ocean waves lap little feet, and listening to the musical squeal of delight each time a new wave kissed her toes. 

It was a lot of work. But, oh my, was it worth it.