Last Day of Summer (Vacation, that is.)

Yesterday, it was my kids' last day of summer vacation. A bit of a bittersweet date for us. I just love having the kids around.

   I love the lack of schedule.
   I love that they bond as brothers and learn new ways to play together.
   I love that we can be lazy.
   I love that we can travel anytime we want to.

But after two months, I could tell that the boys were suffering from a bit too much togetherness. They were starting to bicker. So the back to school day was perfectly timed. For them. For me, well, today is also my youngest's first day of Kindergarten. I told my husband that I would not cry when it's time to say goodbye. We'll see how that goes.

So to celebrate the last day, we headed off to do what we love most: hang out at the beach. The kids ran in and out of the surf, and built sand castles. Bryan played with them. And I got to people watch.

In Brazil, where I grew up, we have a saying that translates into something like, "the beach is a democracy." And it's true. It doesn't matter who you are, how much money you have, where you live, the color of your skin, who you voted for (or didn't vote at all), what language you speak, what God you believe in, your age, sex, height, weight, we all come together at the beach. Hanging out, having fun, enjoying ourselves and the company of those we love.

It was totally fascinating watching the other families around us, seeing how they interacted, eavesdropping in their conversations. Lots of languages I didn't recognize at all. Love that about America. You see all kinds, you hear all kinds in this country.

All in all, a lovely afternoon. And no one got sunburned. Win-win.

Crowded day at Venice Beach / Running back and forth carrying seawater in a yellow pail with holes  / Hoping for a prize + hoping for customers / Toddling with a saggy-soggy behind / A boy + a bat / Called back / Going home / Walking home / Sailing home / Interesting photo shoot / Pink!

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