Introduction to the Ocean

Our wonderfully generous cousins opened up their beach house to us last weekend, and the whole family took advantage of the opportunity for fun in the sun. When we were driving down on Friday, it was raining, which turned to drizzle and then finally cleared up. We threw on swim gear and headed for the beach - Collin's first time to see an ocean!

In typical Collin fashion, he cautiously approached the waves. But with lots of encouragement and hand-holding, he ventured further.

Becoming happier and more confident -

Until this happened - big wave in the face = furrowed Collin brow

Back on land with a big smile -

Round two with me, he thought he could make it back to shore without help but didn't realize it takes extra balance to walk and adjust to the waves. After a tumble and look of concern, he was back to his happy self, telling the waves "no, no, no" - a gesture that is normally followed by "no, no, no, Bruno."

A mischievous grin - and then a lion roar -

We enjoyed a relaxing dinner on the beach house porch, watching the sea gulls and listening to the peaceful crashing of the waves.

At 7pm we took Collin for another first - Marble Slab ice cream. Poor guy could not keep his eyes opened despite singing and books on the five minute car ride, but perked back up once he realized what awaited him at the ice cream shop. The sugar rush only lasted so long, and Collin went to bed minutes after his last bite - quite an exciting day in his one-year-old life.