Life in our little world is about to take major shifts. In only two weeks, Stephanie will be off to college, and Katie will be starting kindergarten. The family dynamic shifts, and every couple of years more kids will hop out of nests and disrupt it further.  There was only one answer.  We planned a day at the beach.

To put this in perspective, we’ve lived here a long time.  We’re about an hour and a half from the beaches in Kitty Hawk, and have no excuse for never having visited.  This year, Katie got a plastic bag full of implements of destruction.  She got excited, and she got the beach.

It was very hot, but we had plenty of room.  Not a crowded day, and though it was chilly, the water wasn’t too cold.  We slathered up with sunblock and settled in for one of the best days of the year.  Katie made sandcastles (with and without our help) – we all gathered a small bucket full of sea shells.  We body-surfed and played in the waves.  Other than my own lack of attention to detail with the sunblock, and that of my son, I can’t imagine a more perfect day.

Sometimes you have to take time to make memories.  I’m informed by the young one that it was “the best day ever.”  She’s said it before, but only on days when she was very happy – days she’ll remember.  I hope Stephanie will remember it too.  We all had fun…and we’re going to miss her a lot when she goes off to school.

These are the times that make it all worthwhile.  There are never enough of them.