This year, more than last, these two guys have been getting along quite well.
Last year, they played together. But they stood in front of us on our beach chairs and whined: “Will you build a sand castle with me?” Or, “LittleBrother smashed my castle!” Or, “Is it time to go in the Big Water yet?” Or, “I’m huuuuunnnngry.” And our heads would explode, but we would oblige because that’s what good parents do on vacation at the beach. They sit in the sand — and get sand in places that sand should not be — and build 80 million sand castles that will be stomped on post-haste. They take the kids in the Big Water even though they’ll ask to go back to the Little Water in 5 minutes. They fish out sandy snacks. They carry tired, crying kids back to the beach house, wrestle the children out of sandy bathing suits and wash out the sand glued to their scalps — gently.
But this year? They have been building their own sand castles… and smashing them together. They run down to the Little Water and pull each other in the surf. They put on their swimmies and swim and swim and swim in the Little Water. They chase the seagulls away… together. They sit on the raft and float out to sea (which obviously involves some adult standing around and pulling them back every 10 minutes). They search for shells. They try to catch fish with the net and bucket. They argue, but they play.
It’s freaking heavenly.
I said to FireDad that the next handful of years (plus) should be great. They will play together. They will get in trouble together, too. But they’ll play. And build. And swim. And float. And we’ll join in, but we won’t have to provide the entertainment. Shortly after this discussion, a pair of brothers walked down the beach. The older one was slightly shorter and more broad shouldered than the younger one. The older one had darker hair and a better tan. The younger one was quite thin, light haired and super pale. My mom and I joked, “Look, it’s future BigBrother and LittleBrother.” And, so, apparently someday they will walk down the beach scoping for hot girls.
But I will always remember them this way.
6 Responses to “Beachy Brothers”
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Twitter: texasebeth
says:
Can I just say I am green with envy?
Elizabeth´s last [type] ..Conversations with Charlie – First Grade
They look like they are having so much fun! I can’t wait for my boys to get to the point where they are truly playing together.
Let me just add one small nuance of perspective to your entirely accurate predictions, Jenna. My own two formerly little and littler brothers, now ages 34 and 37? They’ve done all the things your two have and will (including trolling the beach as your mom predicted
, and they are (mostly) parents in their own right now. But, be prepared for this — they still wrestle! OMG. When they both happen to be home at the same time (far too seldom these days, it seems) batten down the hatches. Pictures become dislodged from the wall, vases of flowers occasionally go flying (“Oops, sorry Mom!”) There is panting, there is grunting, and eventually there is good-natured agreement that they’ve both still “got it”. Probably just like baby lions grown up and returning to the parental pride to show their stuff. Long may it continue!
Enjoy the rest of your beautiful vacation, and the making of all those wonderful memories
wonderful! Where did you get the arm/waist floaties? We’ve been looking for something for the kids when we go to the beach (they’re not yet confident swimmers).
Have a great time!
~ Elly
Twitter: firemom
says:
Elly; They’re called Puddle Jumpers. We originally found them at Walmart last year after the Munchkin’s mom introduced me to them on a visit. However, they were the ONLY thing we forgot at home this year and while BB is a decent swimmer this year, the waves make us nervous (us meaning me). So I had them one day shipped to the beach house from Amazon. Hooray for Amazon Prime!
awesome, thanks. I think I’m going to have to stop by Wal-mart and see if they have any! We’re doing some beachy type things on our vacay.