Our Awesome Trip to the Beach!

so Happy blowing bubbles

Mike's folks head to the beach a couple of times a year for some well deserved R and R. They invited us to come with them over Labor Day weekend which ended up being The Most Fun! We were at Redington Beach - about 45 minutes outside of Tampa. It was a pretty crazy weekend, actually, because Mike and I only overlapped in the Tampa airport for a couple of hours. He traveled with Clara (what an Awesome Dad to travel alone with a toddler!) on Friday while I stayed back and took an audition in Iowa. We crossed paths on Sunday at the airport as he headed back for work and I took a few days with Clara and my in-laws. Mike and I were pretty bummed we couldn't take walks on the beach together, but Clara loved it so Freakin' much that the crazy schedule was well worth it.

I just have to say - the beach is a pretty awesome vacation for kids. It provides hour upon hour of entertainment (no theme parks or side trips needed!) that never seems to get old. Just, good old-fashioned simple fun with a bucket and bare feet. It was Great!

Clara spent Hours here - at the little spicket that washes the sand from your feet. She was very willing to share when grown-ups wanted to use it.

Digging for coquinas - they were Everywhere because of Gustav. We even got to see a jellyfish on the beach!

Diggin' with Nana - I think that Darlene had even more fun than Clara!

Taking a break at the cabana with Grandpa Dennis and Nana; Dennis, by the way, has lost, like, 100 pounds!

Scooping sand under her very own special umbrella. Darlene was Very Vigilant that Clara did not get burned - thanks so much!

I LOVE this picture - that's the kind of joy you want Clara and her Nana to have together!

Dragging her noodle

So, Clara usually does room time in the morning while I practice. This was two days after the trip, at 10 in the morning! I have never ever seen her fall asleep like this in her entire life. I guess the trip was Really Fun!