Beach combers...

I'm always wishing I spent more time out in Spain, enjoying what is here before our time is up. Today, with my Sohl-mate and Young Sohl back stateside for a week, I decided that the older two and I should hit the beach. I adore hunting for treasures at the beach here; due mostly to the sea glass. I find it completely peaceful, relaxing. My two darlings, however, have lost interest in the sea glass searching.

Sohl son likes to climb the algae-covered boulders, and flick sand and such. Little SohlGal is finally to the point of realizing that sand never tastes as good as it looks, and is instead content to pick up any, and all, pink-ish shells, rocks, candy wrappers or other pink-like beach debris she discovers.

Today we came across what I thought used to be sea anemone, and it was really quite pretty. This squishy little blob was mostly purple with stringy green tips, and a beige-colored foot. The kids were smitten with the little thing, and slightly annoyed I wouldn't let them take it home.

It interested me, and got me thinking. I know what beach treasures I enjoy; I know what little SohlGal likes; I'm pretty sure that I know what Sohl son wants from his experience. So how do I make home more like the beach?

Oh, and then there's this. As we're walking down the stairs to the beach, little SohlGal says, "Mom, can we swim in the pools?" Sohl son quickly corrects her. "Little SohlGal, that's not the pools. Those are things are HUGE BEACHES."