Maine!

We went to Maine today and spent the day at the beach. It's a mere 90 miles from our house. This translated into a 2 hour trip home and a 3 1/2 hour trip there. Quite a discrepancy. Part of the problem was that we spotted a Hanna Andersson outlet on the way there. The other "problem" was that Flannery decided to take the scenic route there. This basically resulted in her indoctrinating the twins in anti-Bush sentiment while we crawled through Kennebunkport and me getting car sick. I knew we were in trouble when the twins started giggling uncontrollably and screaming, "wheee!" as we wound up, down, and around.

But it was worth it! The beach was fabulous and the twins' first experience with the ocean. We were excited that it was off-season. This meant that we could bring our dog, Greta to the beach (Oct 1 - April 1!!!!) and that we didn't have to pay an entrance fee. We didn't realize that this also meant the outdoor gate would be locked. After consulting with another person who was parked along the road, we decided the mile trek in was doable and had a lovely walk. We've been discouraging Cayla from her favorite pastime of collecting leaves, bark bits, and grass clumps while walking in the city (broken glass, lots of dried dog poop, dirt that even I avoid . . . ) so she was in her glory on this walk. Her hands were full of pine needles the entire time. Collin played a really "long" game of hockey with a pine cone and a stick.

The beach was a bit (OK, really, really) too cold to swim, but we had a great time walking and playing in the sand. Cayla loves playing in the sand more than anything (except possibly playing with tape or eating chips) so she had a grand time. She also collected quite a few crab legs. Collin was busy collecting sea weed and digging holes. And, I often think I've missed my true life calling and attempted to be Andy Goldsworthy. And since beaches (sand, rocks, oceans, . . ) are a geologist's paradise, Flannery was in her element. Oh, wait, she's not a geologist anymore.