Little man's first trip to the beach was just a year ago, however we weren't sure how much he actually remembered of the trip. He had just turned 2.However, as we boarded the first airplane and settled in for the flight, it became apparent that little man did remember the beach ... and was so very excited to be going back.
Last year, the first day or two little man was terrified of the ocean. He loved the beach and playing in the sand, however he was unsure of the waves and water. He gradually drifted closer and closer to the water until his toes finally touched.
Then we couldn't get him out of the water.
We had barely touched down in Florida when little man began to insist with all of his 3-year-old wonder that we go to the beach immediately. After what I'm sure seem liked an endless task of getting the luggage and getting settled in at the condo, we finally headed out. It was a bit cool the day we arrived (60's) so it wasn't exactly swimsuit weather, but we packed a light sweatshirt and headed out.
As we crossed the boardwalk and little man's ocean-blue eyes caught his first glimpse of the beach and water he immediately squirmed out of my arms.
All I saw was the silhouette of my little boy running with all of his might onto the sand. He stopped just at the water line and when the tide swept in and caught his toes, he squealed.
"Mommy, look at meeeee!" He said as he turned back to me, smiling as big as I had ever seen.
While last year's trip was mostly spent helping little man scoop sand into buckets, this year's trip illustrated that he has definitely grown up since our last visit.
This time, instead of merely scooping sand, we had to build "beautiful sandcastles."
Every time we went to the beach (which, of course, was daily) little man would spend the majority of his time erecting large piles of sand, which he would then decorate with seashells.
And these weren't just any sandcastles.
According to little man, a dragon named Herb lived in them.
I have no idea how he came up with the name Herb. However, it was a constant theme. With every sandcastle little man built, there was also a story about Herb the dragon who lived in it.
Along with a beautiful princess named Mommy.
And just when I didn't think the moment could be sweeter, little man would then stomp the castle to the ground, laughing all the way.
Maybe it was Herb the dragon.
{I just hope the beautiful princess named Mommy made it out first.}
Either way, our trip was marked with many, many sandcastles.
And many, many memories.
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