I’m not the kind of gal who loves rolling around in the sand. Or the hot beating sun. Or mixing sweaty drip in with with sunscreen and feeling like a greased pig on parade. You might go so far as to say, I’m not a beach gal.
Except I love my kids. A lot. And they love the beach.
Being that they are 3 and 5, the kind of beach-loving they do involves less of Mommy lounging peacefully on a chair cozying up to a novel and more running-around vigilantly monitoring their safety while fetching countless pails of water from the ocean.
Since I had already abandoned foolhardy visions of laziness, I decided to go for it the one day. This was it. This would be the day I was The Cool Mom and build the sandcastle to beat all sandcastles. I set to work.
And this is what I came up with:
I KNOW.
So, basically, I’m fabulous.
While I sulked and pouted a bit over my fabulousness and generally felt like an idiot, I took a minute to actually look at my kids. They were jumping and laughing in the shallow waves, still too young and uncertain to venture out very far. They were having fun and they were happy.
I spied one of our cheap plastic beach shovels tossed to the side (this had been abandoned after my daughter’s inspired effort to move all of the sand back into the ocean. While her progress was significant, she of course had to stop for a needed juice box break.) Pausing for a minute, I had a revelation. I might not be able to build, but I could dig.
So I did. Shovelful after shovelful, I dug my kiddos one boss pool. They splashed and splashed, having the time of their young lives. And as the ocean kept eroding and filling in the pool, I kept digging.
Because I love my kids.
And they love the beach.
And while fantabulous sandcastles remain woefully out of my reach, it turns out I can create something pretty nifty for my kids. And the arm workout didn’t suck either.
As it turns out, sometimes this Mom of the Year gig isn’t always about building to the heights. Sometimes it’s just about hanging out in the shallows and appreciating what you can do.
It’s about finding your inner sandcastle ability–whatever it looks like.
And it’s about watching your kids laugh, a lot.
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Janine Huldie says
I am so with you on not having any real talent or desire to build sand castles, but still I love how you did make your kids happy even if it wasn’t building a sand castle on this day. Seriously, I think you put it perfectly it is about spending time together and that is really what our kids what at this point in their lives. Well done!! 🙂
Meredith says
So true, Janine–they just want our time, I know!
Stephanie says
You’re so smart. We always take an inflatable baby pool to the beach, but this looks much cheaper and now you have big guns. 🙂
Meredith says
Definitely ditch that baby pool and multitask their play with your workout, mama!
Frugalistablog says
That looks like an awesome beach. Ours are all rocky and hard.
Uhm, this line, right here- “As it turns out, sometimes this Mom of the Year gig isn’t always about building to the heights. Sometimes it’s just about hanging out in the shallows and appreciating what you can do.”
You are amazing.
Meredith says
Frugie, thanks for the encouragement, babe. Means so much 🙂
Jenn @ Something Clever 2.0 says
They look ecstatic!
Meredith says
And sandy 😉
Amy Flory - Funny Is Family says
“Hanging out in the shallows” is where the best things happen. This post makes me happy!
Meredith says
Thanks, Amy. The shallows can be a sweet place!
femmefrugality says
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking of the fantastic arm workout before you mentioned it. :p This is so beautiful, Meredith. You’ve really been nailing it for me lately. I’ve been feeling super inadequate (that feeling comes in waves throughout my motherhood journey…..HA! PUN!) and your writing has been putting it all back together for me.
Meredith says
Aw, Femme! You made my day–not that you are feeling inadequate, just that I fully get how tough things can be and that I can help you feel a bit more normal is such a blessing. Just wish that I could squeeze you in person! Trust me, Mama, whether it feels like it or not–you’ve SO GOT THIS. xo.
Adrienne says
My recommendation after viewing your attempts in person would be to let the sandcastle building to Uncle J 🙂 We will just have to you stick to “pool digging duty” next summer 🙂
Meredith says
Good call–probably the best bet for everyone 😉
JD @ Honest Mom says
Awwww. So sweet. I also don’t like getting sweaty and sandy, but I will when I have to. I am more of an “evening beach” gal. We are at the beach now and my kids discovered the joy of swimming at 7pm. It’s awesome. I don’t have to get hot and sweaty and get to take lots of sunset pictures. Winning!
Meredith says
So, so smart…and I’m jealous–go enjoy!
Tamara Gerber says
You totally rocked this sandcastle thing! Way to go, beach Mama!
Meredith says
Aw, thanks, Tamara 🙂