I realise that Christmas symbolises different things to different parts of the world. For example, I have been interested in the posts from American, England and Canada about “snow blizzards”, “school closures” and “scooping snow from the front of the house”. For us in New Zealand and Australia, Christmas is a time where we get to enjoy the sun, beach, and nature (I know weird huh!)
Yesterday was such a day….it was a beach day! We went to Scorching Bay for a swim and a picnic. Then we headed over to the playground by the beach in Petone. Scorching Bay has beautiful sand, perfect for building sand castles and lounging around on. Whereas the beach at Petone has great shells, stones and sticks. The kids enjoyed finding treasures there (swirly patterned rocks, clam shells, and sticks that became walking sticks, writing sticks and sticks to conduct music, or welcome a crowd at a circus “Ladies & Gentlemeeeeeen!”)
Here are some things I learned:
- It takes a long time to find 5 togs (swimsuits), 5 towels, 5 sandles, 5 drink bottles, make lunch for 5 people, and put sunscreen on 5 bodies.
- I am now comfortable taking 4 kids to the beach by myself. Not quite ready to brave the swimming pool solo.
- The beaches weren’t as crowded as I thought they would be.
- I love watching my kids play. I get warm fuzzies when they look out for each other.
- It is difficult to take pictures and look after 4 kids. I gave up soon after we arrived, and decided to wait until we came to the beach with hubby.
- The kids loved the idea of “sand blankets” to keep them warm after they finished swimming. (I had the kids lay down and I covered them with a layer of warm sand)
- We stopped by the supermarket to pick up some ice cream. Ice cream was a great way to end our day!
My favourite part of the day was when I was on the swing with my youngest on my lap. I loved how she lay back on me as we swayed back and forth in the sunlight…..*bliss*
Well done and I hear you on the organising of beach gear – and I have only two little’uns!
I absolutely love the joy you’ve captured on the photographs and their excitement as they race to the beach.
It really was the most perfect day yesterday. Today we’ve been tucked in out of the wind and doing the all essential house-work (we have visitors for Christmas Day), but we did escape this ‘avo to the swimming pools.
I love Scorching Bay – I wonder if we’ll bump into each other sometime over the hols – hopefully we’d recognize each other!
Have a great time!
Wow! Not sure if I’m more impressed that you are organised enough for Christmas to spend the day at the beach – or that you took four kids by yourself. You’re amazing! Sounds like it was a fabulous day with some of those special shiny mum moments. Have a great Christmas!
Hey there!
I would be honoured if you used my gingerbread man
Merry Christmas!
Oh that looks like heaven right now
We just walked through an outdoor light display in 25 degree weather and I’m STILL cold an hour later! Brrrr! Thank you for sharing your lovely beach pictures! (And you’re braver than I am, talking four to the beach by yourself – maybe when mine are older but DEFINITELY not now)
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for you comments everyone. It was a bit of milestone for me to be able to take the kids to the beach by myself again. Throughout my mothering journey there were certain stages where I just couldn’t take the kids to the beach by myself…whether I had 1, 2, 3 or 4. As mothers we just can’t be in two (or 3 or 4) places at the same time right! I would come up with other solutions, like pick up hubby during his lunch hour, or straight after work, or go with a friend (don’t you just love it when one of you can be assigned to the babies, while the other can roam with the runners). Lately the turning point I think was when my “runner” grew up a bit, and wasn’t so unpredictable. So all of you with runners out there, I totally empathise, and you will be able to do those activities that you have been putting off at the moment!