beach

7 Things I Learned at the Beach (Again)

August 23, 2011 by melissa

Every year we pack up the car with sand toys, beach towels and juice boxes and head to the beach. And given that baby brain is rather permanent, every year when we hit the beach, I get smacked in the face with things I already knew.

1. Changing Sandy, Wet AND Poopy Diapers Is Ick, Ew, Gross.

At home I’m used to changing the wettest and poopiest of diapers without batting an eye. But at the beach, wet means the entire diaper is drenched. Add in some poop and it’s most likely starting to seep out the sides of the swim diaper.

Add wet sand and a wriggly toddler into the mix? Torture.

2. The Kids Will Never Be Free of Sandy Hands So Let ‘Em Eat.

I mean, is there really any use in trying to clean their hands? I gave up.

3. I Know All the Lyrics to “Baby Got Back.”

If you’ve ever been to Myrtle Beach, you know that certain parts of it are, um, trashy. There’s no shortage of shops with names consisting of various ways to say “booty” (Bummz seems to be a popular one).
All that booty talk made me re-discover that I know all the lyrics to Baby Got Back. Daddy Roo said he was “disturbed and intrigued at the same time.”

4. Labs Love Being Near (and In) Water

While our lab Trajan didn’t get to the water much, he loves it just as much as we do. Is he basking in it or what?

5. Men Should Never Wear Speedos Unless They Are in the Olympics

I got my fair share of Speedo-wear when I was in Europe in college. But here in the States, luckily they are few and far between. My eyes only burned a couple of times (it’s always those you DON’T want to wear them who are, in fact, wearing them). And in honor of “mankini” being added to the dictionary, you can burn your OWN eyes by clicking here (it’s just wikipedia but still). Good thing I didn’t see those. (You can thank Cyndi from Convertible Life for THAT link)

6. Kids Sleep Just Like at Home… but Worse

I’m not sure why I think otherwise. Each time we head to the beach, I look forward to sleeping in. Somehow I keep forgetting that kids don’t know that being at the beach means you’re supposed to ignore the sun coming up. In fact, they go to bed later, skip naps most days and still get up at the same time they do at home. Gah.

7. Sand is Magical

Despite their lack of sleep, kids can play and play and play with gritty, clingy, wet sand.

So, what do you re-learn every time you hit the beach?

Wordless Wednesday: A Beach Vacation Just Like Yours

August 18, 2010 by melissa

Okay, so it’s technically WORDFUL Wednesday but hang with me a sec!

We hit the beach last weekend for a few days. My sister lives in Myrtle Beach so we had a free place to crash, had two extra hands and didn’t have to spend a zillion dollars on eating out.

So, how was my beach trip just like ones that you’ve taken?

Just like this…

You have a kid who will play in the sand until the sun sets (or they turn into a lobster) if you let them.

Or you sit your baby in a sand pit (ya know, just for fun).

You let go of the idea that your kid’s hands will only get SO clean while on the beach. A turkey SANDwich never hurt anyone.

You come to the realization that hair never looks quite the same once the wind gets to it.

Your baby takes a least one nap at the beach, oblivious to the fun his brother is having.

Your baby makes multiple (and almost futile) attempts to eat sand.

You try to capture the perfect family-at-the-beach shot… and somehow manage to get everyone looking at the camera.

And when your baby isn’t sleeping on the beach, he’s eyeing big brother while mama awaits next year, when they can REALLY play together in the glorious sand.

Five Must-Have Shots to Take on Your Next Beach Trip

July 6, 2010 by melissa

Beach bound this summer? Well, forgive me if you’ve already taken your beach trip for the year. I’m a little late. But for all us crazies who like to sweat it out in July and August, this post is for you!

Even the rare picture taker lets the camera make an appearance during a beach vacation. Blue water, sandy beaches, kids having a blast… it’s photography magic! We all get the basic beach vacation shots – a picture of the ocean, kids making sandcastles, kids burying Daddy in the sand, kids eating sand (ha), a seagull or other wildlife, maybe some seashells. Round out your beach photos with these five must-have shots…

1. Where you stayed

I’m not gonna lie. This picture is NOT one that you will blow up to 22 x 28 and frame above your fireplace. But it IS one you’ll enjoy looking back on over the years. Whether it’s a hotel, beach house or tent, make sure to snap a picture to remember it by (bonus points if you get actual PEOPLE in the shot like I neglected to do).

2. Sandy feet

Nothing says carefree beach time more than sandy little feet. Last year, I captured the whole family’s sandy toes, not just the little guy. Do this- even if you have flat Fred Flinstone feet like me (see right set of feet). I can’t wait to get the boys’ feet together this year. It’s gonna be total cuteness.

3. Shadows on the sand

Whoa whoa- now we’re getting all artsy-fartsy aren’t we? But sun and sand epitomize the beach so why not capture them both like this? Sure beats taking a picture staring into the sun!

4. Eating those yummy beach snacks

Or in this case, squirting juice onto the sand. I really dig capturing the “everydayness” of our beach trips and eating, well, it’s just one of those things we need to do, right? When your kids take a break from playing around, snap some shots of those sandy, unsanitary little hands reaching into the Goldfish bag and stuffing their faces full of cheese and sand bits. Or of them downing the contents of their juice box.

5. Get down low.

So often, we take our pictures looking down on our kids. Change the perspective and get down in the sand with them. I often get on my belly to take beach shots. It’s a new little world down in their space. Also, notice how I shot the picture below facing the water. It weeds out a lot of the other people around and you capture what you came there for– the ocean!

So, what are your favorite shots to take at the beach?

By the way, this post is part of a sorta-series of Must Have Photography Shots. I say “sorta-series” but I’ve only done like two of them but maybe I’ll do more. Or maybe I’ll be too lazy. How’s THAT for dedication?Regardless, here are the others: Five Must Have Shots to Take on Your Next Family Hike and Seven Great Moments to Capture This Easter.