Summer flashback

School, and most other fall activities, are back in full swing, so it doesn't really feel like summer anymore (aside from the 100-degree temps that is), but recalling our last beach hurrah with friends makes it seem not quite so far away.  To be honest, it was also our first beach hurrah this summer.  I know, I'm a terrible mother.  We live less than an hour from the most magnificent of oceans, but we rarely wet our toes in its saltiness.  Seeing how much the kids enjoyed it makes me want to go more, but then the sand... oh the sand!  It's everywhere.  It's still everywhere!  And then I relive the joy on these faces and wonder if it might be worth it...          

This is probably my favorite picture of the summer.  I was really only trying to get a shot of Reagan, but ended up with all three of my favorite children, with each of their personalities on full display.  Reagan, as always, is contentedly fetching water for her own little sand creation, blissfully unaware of the water dribbling out of the enormous gap in the side of her bucket.  Just boogie boarding isn't daring enough for Parker.  He has to throw his own little twist into the sport, neverminding the potential for injury.  And Alyssa, ever the rule-follower, is here in the background with a sweet friend, enjoying the toys and water in the way they were intended to be used.  Every once in a while my camera actually catches more than I was hoping for!  This photo makes me smile every time I see it.