82 °F and a slight breeze… the perfect temperature for making sandcastles. Today, 
Athena and I had one goal – to kick off our shoes and get down to making sandcastles. (Well, that was my goal. Athena’s goal was to sneak in a bite of a seashell any time I wasn’t looking but it fit nicely with my sandcastle goal so she went along.) This week is all about soaking up Athena time and she loves the sand so that’s where we spent our day.
With our sunscreen on and our shoes off, we strolled through the ocean water first. Athena is still intimidated by the sound of the waves and she likes to be in my arms when they are crashing. Besides, she was more interested in the bucket and shovel that were in the bag. She had never made a sandcastle before but she was anxious to try.
First, we had to fill the bucket. Have you ever tried to fill a sand bucket with a one year old shoveling in the sand? It went something like this… Athena would get some sand on the shovel and then pour it on her legs. Then, she would give me a dirty look because the sand was on her and sticking to the sunscreen. I would unsuccessfully try to wipe the sand off her legs. While I was distracted, she would find a seashell and put it in her mouth. I’d take the seashell out of her mouth, wipe her hands, and pick up the shovel. She’d want the shovel and the cycle would continue. Somehow, as an adult mother, I wasn’t smart enough to figure out how to stop to process, yet we were both enjoying ourselves just the same. 
For over two hours, we played on the beach in that one spot. We were happy. We didn’t need expensive gear or a planned day of activities. We just needed a shovel, a bucket, and some sand. As an adult, it’s easy to forget the simple things in life. I think that’s what I enjoy most about being a mother. Joy, laughter, and happiness can be found in the simplest moments of the day.
Pink Shell Beach Resort is filled with families and little children. I think our goal for tomorrow will be to meet a friend for Athena at the pool. Sounds simple, right? Making friends is so much easier for kids. Wish us luck.
Bucket List Publications 
Meanwhile, in Kitchener Ontario Canada…SNOW! HAIL!
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Really? It’s May! UUUUhhhhhh.
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It’s been a weird May lemme tell you! Anyway it’s great to see the pictures of a warmer place. So thanks for brightening the day!
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The weather in Canada has been really bad this year. My parents live in Nova Scotia and they’ve been talking about snow way too much int he last few months.
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and it was 43 in Atlanta this morning too 😦
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Love her little pink sunhat!
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It definitely does the trick 😉
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I so enjoy reading your blog!
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I’d say you ladies have already made quite a splash at the Pink Shell Resort. Enjoy the balmy breezes and take some time for a refreshing beverage or two 😉
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I may or may not have had a Pina Colada while Darren was playing with Athena this evening 😉
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Ah, it is freezing here. You are lucky you got to enjoy quality time with your baby girl at the beach. Glad you had a great day 🙂
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Thank you! We are both beach bums. I’m lucky that she loves it as much as I do 😉
Do you like the beach? Would you prefer the hot or the cold?
Have a great week,
Lesley
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she is growing so nicely! Where will your next adventure be?
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It’s either New Orleans or Aruba. Have you been to either?
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She is loving it! Be Blessed, Mtetar
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Reblogged this on waterhealthsolution.
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children playing with sand is pleasure to watch 🙂
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Everything she does is beautiful to watch, except pooping – that’s not so great 😉
Do you have kids?
Lesley
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yeahhh… I have two devils in disguise… hahahhahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Love to read your posts about Athena.
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There will be lots more to follow 🙂
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment; it’s appreciated.
Have a great day,
Lesley
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The picture of you and Athena is frame worthy, blow up beggingly beautiful!
Enjoy the sand, the sun and the time together!!!!!
xo reversecommuter
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Thank you! I feel that way about every picture that she’s in 😉
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I’m 32 years old, and my husband and I are going on our babymoon at the end of the month. He’s promised to teach me how to build a sandcastle 🙂
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I’d love to see the photos 🙂
Congratulations and have fun. I look forward to hearing about it.
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she is adorable! enjoy your time in the sand!!! z
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So cute! Soak up the sun and treasure the moments with your little one, looks like ya’ll are having a great time!
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Awwww,,,, such a cutie!!! :)This post made me feel so sun-deprived….
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What a lovely time! It sounds like heaven 🙂
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Lovely! This brought back so many memories of playing on the beach with my children. Beautiful photos! 🙂
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Gorgeous! Ah the beach with little ones… the biggest and best sandpit in the world! : )))
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Adorable day in the sun!
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This brings very happy memories of building sand castles, roads and tunnels with my son (who is no 20). We thoroughly enjoyed it and the memories are priceless. Sweet dreams are made of these. Enjoy it for as long as you can, as children quickly grow up!
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What a joy and what wonderful memories you are building together. While the bucket over flows with love and fun, the most simple things often bring the greatest pleasure. The adventure takes a different road when you have a child, but everyday is an adventure. Enjoy!
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We had a mid may frost in New England last night so your warm story about the beach was a little oasis for me before I take the tarp of the seedlings.
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Love the pictures. All that fun shows on your beautiful faces and in those lovely smiles. Hugs
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She’s a doll. I’m sure she ate her fair share of sand.
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That’s cute! I used to try being like a bear getting a fish out of the water with a hand like a bear does with his paw. I could never get 1 but it was so fun to try as they swam quicker than I could move my hand in the water. Ha! Ha!
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