Beach life – First day trip in 3 months
Life’s a beach
It was about 9.30 in the morning, the sun was shining but I was feeling rather low and tired. I was still in bed with no intention of moving for a while. In bounded my wife and two children all excited, shouting and screaming about going to the beach.
How lovely for them, they were going to get out in the sun and enjoy themselves. All while I was stuck at home, again….
They were all getting ready. Sun tan lotion on, shorts and t-shirt on and everyone’s sunglasses looked out. As well as the million other things you need to take two children under 3 to as beach.
They were just about ready and Alba came through to me still lying in bed and asked.
“Daddy, you want to come to the beach too?”
It was the sweetest thing, she really wanted me to be able to come with them. Initially I just told her no and explained that I was too sore and wouldn’t manage. But I started thinking. What if I just got out the house for a little while? I wouldn’t need to do anything. I could just lie on my sun lounger and enjoy the sun, the fresh air and spend some time with my family.
My thoughts were drawing me to my last post about being positive. So I changed my mind and decided I would go. I got up and got ready. Didn’t need to do much, wash and throw on some clothes and I was set.
At the beach
So after getting ready I went out to the car, my unbelievable wife, packed everything we needed. Two kids – check. Rucksack with all the essentials – check. Baby carrier – check. Sun lounger for me – check. Extra bag for all my meds and snacks – check. We were finally ready to go!
The beach is only a 15 minute drive from our house and as it was a lovely sunny day so we knew the beach would be busy. We arrived and sure enough it was packed and no spaces anywhere close to the beach. I was dropped off close to the
beach so I didn’t have to walk too far. They soon joined me down on the sand. I lay there enjoying the sun, fresh air and the sand blowing in the wind – all over me. I choose the wrong spot. Every move by anyone close by and we got a mouthful of sand. It didn’t deter my spirits one bit. I was just so happy to be out and spending time with my family.
We set up our area on the sand. Mat out, snacks and drinks out then the bucket and spade for Alba to build her sand castle. She built her castle then she was off enjoying herself while Arran sat near me eating some finger foods and a lot of sand. Sand isn’t harmful to eat right…
It was so warm, windy but glorious. I didn’t need to move so for me it was peaceful. For mum chasing after Alba and watching Arran I’m sure it was anything but peaceful. I could see Alba and mum playing down by the water, running in and out as the waves came in. I wanted to join them but for today just being there was enough.
After about an hour playing Alba needed the toilet. Excellent, gave us the perfect opportunity to go for a little walk to the ice cream shop.
Ice creams all round
By this time I was getting rather worn out. So the walk was hard work. Thankfully it’s only a very short walk to the ice cream shop. I had a seat to rest while Alba had her toilet break. The view was incredible, looking out to the sea with all the hustle and bustle down on the sand. Check out my Instagram for some of the stunning pictures.
A few minutes later they were back and it was ice cream time. The aptly named Smugglers Cone has a fantastic reputation but this was my first try. Alba going for her favourite, chocolate cone with sprinkles. Mummy decided to have a tablet flavoured ice cream cone. While I went for mint choc chip with all the extras at no extra cost. This was a cone and a half. Wow…this is the life.
We grabbed a seat to eat our ice creams, which were melting faster than we could eat them. So we very quickly shovelled our ice creams down our throats. All while helping Alba lick all the drippy bits before they dripped down her hand. She’s very much like her Dad, not that keen on mess.
With ice creams finished and all the kids getting sleepy, including me, we decided to head home. We’d only been out for an hour and a bit, but that was plenty for us.
Thankfully we’d already packed up so we were ready to go. I couldn’t walk so Ruth and the children went to get the car. Ten minutes later, thankfully they appeared. By now I was ready to go. I jumped in the car and we headed home. Both kids were sleeping within two minutes. Fresh air always does that to children.
We soon arrived home and not only had the fresh air made the kids tired, it had knocked me for six too. So I went for a lie down and passed out for 3 hours. I was exhausted and very sore from doing too much.
I won’t be making a habit of going out on trips while I’m feeling this ill. However, today it was exactly what I needed and I’m so glad I made the effort to get out. For me, it was the perfect few hours and in years to come I’ll remember today as a happy day instead of one where I was too ill and stayed at home.
Thanks for reading
This real life Dad xx
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goswaminitin330
August 19, 2017 at 5:22 amI hope you enjoyed a lot there.
Amy Jackson
August 19, 2017 at 2:55 pmWhat a great day!! Thanks for sharing! It looked beautiful!
Forrest Harter
August 20, 2017 at 11:23 amLove that ice cream
becomingbritton
August 22, 2017 at 4:10 pmYes!! I love the ice cream! I’ve never had one with a flake candy bar in it!
Thisreallifedad
August 22, 2017 at 7:00 pmYou are missing out, it was fantastic.
dearmummyblog
August 22, 2017 at 7:31 pmWell done for getting out and about. My mummy knows that feeling. Two weeks after her surgery she was forced out the door by relatives to have a beach day. She was aching so much sat on a deckchair all day. However the sunshine and fresh air lifted her spirits too x looks like you guys had a great couple of hours x popping over from #DreamTeam
Thisreallifedad
August 22, 2017 at 7:36 pmThanks. Once surgery is over I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. Can’t wait. Thanks for your comment. X
globalhousesitterX2
August 26, 2017 at 7:08 amLove that area, and such a lovely scene for a family day out. Which would not be complete without an icecream 🙂
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:42 amThank you. No beach trip is complete without an ice cream. 😁
Ritu
August 26, 2017 at 7:35 amI’m so glad you decided to go out, even for a hour. IT’s good for the soul, and the sun makes everyone feel a little better!
And, what better than the delighted cries from you kids as they enjoy themselves!
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:41 amMe too Ritu. It was very therapeutic and loved seeing my kids have a great time.
Ritu
August 29, 2017 at 6:46 amIt makes it all worth while… those little smiles!
fancypaperblog
August 26, 2017 at 8:09 amMy Betsy ate tons of sand at the beach last year and I Googled it in a fit of concern! Harmless as long as the beach is safe. They call these children sand monsters😀
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:39 amTo be fair he eats everything, not just sand. 🤣
diaryofasinglemum
August 26, 2017 at 8:48 amOh the joys of parenthood. They make it all worth it
iamunbothered
August 26, 2017 at 10:32 amYour children are real cuties. Keep enjoying your time with them.
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:38 amOh of course, always. Thank you. X
Jennifer
August 26, 2017 at 12:26 pmSounds like the beach was perfect for your soul!
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:37 amIt really was. X
Lisa Orchard
August 26, 2017 at 2:31 pmI’m glad you got out into the sun. I’ve read being by the beach is a healthy stress reliever and I bet your illness is stressful. Forest bathing is another good stress reliever and it’s scientifically proven that it’s healthy for you. 🙂 Just an FYI
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:32 amIt certainly is stressful. My fav place to go on a stressful day or to wind down is the beach, just watch the waves and listen to the water.
Lisa Orchard
August 29, 2017 at 10:17 amThe beach is one of my favorite places, too.
Gary
August 26, 2017 at 3:14 pmTop draw Michael, very easy to just give in to feeling low and ill. Much harder to get that mojo to say “No” and get out there. By the sounds of it you enjoyed it too so kudos to you. Totally with you on the positive mind-set even if the inner voice is trying to resist it; sometimes seems an effort to ignore that, but well worth it if you can!
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:30 amExactly my thoughts on that day. And it was definitely worth it.
gemmaorton
August 26, 2017 at 3:46 pmI know how much of an effort it can be to go out sometimes (due to my disability), and how tiring it can be. But that hour in the sun with those adorable little cuties looked worth it!
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:29 amIt was definitely worth it. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Thewanderingdarlings
August 26, 2017 at 10:59 pmOmg that pic of your kids ready for the beach is so cute!!
Thisreallifedad
August 29, 2017 at 6:28 amThanks. They were just so exited about going to the beach and with Daddy for a change.
Jo - Cup of Toast
August 29, 2017 at 11:02 pmIt looks as though you had a super day, glad you managed to get out for a little bit #TriumphantTales
Thisreallifedad
August 30, 2017 at 1:11 pmIt really was a super day. Glad I pushed myself.
Mrs Mummy Harris
September 5, 2017 at 3:47 pmThere is nothing like a day to the beach to bring some calm to us all! I’m all for the seaside and can’t wait to see Ben enjoy it more as he gets older!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back this week! (apologies for the late comment.)