a confession

Alright, I'm just going to go ahead and say it: I don't love going to the beach. I know, I know. I'm crazy. I KNOW. Personally, unless I'm pregnant and have strange cravings to consume sunshine by the ray, I would prefer to avoid heat. Plus, there are the sand grains that make their way into every nook and cranny of your person. Plus, you can never get clean. You go in the ocean to wash off the sand, and come out with wet sand on your feet and sticky salt water everywhere else.

But.

Yes, there's a but. But, I have to admit that the beach in the springtime is a completely different - and enjoyable - experience. No sweating it out with only a sticky salt bath for relief. Instead, we played in the cool sand, watched the freezing tide come in and out, searched for shells. Jess was up at sunrise every day, which apparently is prime time for huge shell finds as well as spectacular photos. The brisk wind is so fresh, not blazing, and it really is as though the ocean smells better when you're not inhaling sunblock fumes.

Of course, it was made extra lovely by having Belle along for the ride. She was weary of the sand at first, but took to it eventually. She'd watch it running through her fingers, burrow her toes, and when she really got into it, she'd shovel it by the armfuls, digging small holes as though she was searching for treasure. She particularly loved the thick, smooth shells - touching them, throwing them, eating them. (What we believe was her attempting to cut a tooth. Perhaps we should've offered her one of the many teething toys we have? Perhaps we had no idea?) When we'd walk onto the beach, she'd start waving her hands at the ocean, kicking with excitement. And to tell you the truth, I think Jess and I were doing the same thing inside. I already miss that soothing lull of the ocean lapping, back and forth, back and forth.

So, in the end, I do love the beach. Just in the right season. There's a time and season for all things, no? It just so happens that the beach's season is spring.

The following is an approximately five minute video of some of our favorite pictures from the beach. I realize that most of you don't have the time to sit and watch this, but for those who want a little break, enjoy. :)

And yes, that is a real live seahorse whose life we saved (midway through the video). At least we hope that's what we were doing by throwing it back in the ocean.