Two New Treats: The Beach and D.Q.

After a looong day of homeschooling, running errands, misc. appointments, a trip to the library, and baseball practice ... I would have ordinarily been ready to get the kids home, to take some time to relax. However, at Elijah's practice last night, we actually enjoyed the first semi-warm spring evening. I didn't have to put my winter jacket over my sweatshirt ... we didn't get out the blankets ... we actually felt a little warmth from the sun. It was quite relaxing to sit with close friends and watch our little t-ball boys (while Papa worked on softball skills with Hosanna and a friend).

After practice, Jim suggested that we take the kids out for ice cream. However, when I saw the beginnings of a nice sunset in the distance, I asked Jim, "How long until sunset?" He responded, "About 30 minutes. Why?" Well ... we haven't taken the kids out to the beach yet (being that we have had several snow showers in April) .... it's only a 20 minute drive ... and it looks like there will be a nice sunset ... "

So, at 7:30, when all good parents should have been taking their children home to get ready for bed ... we headed West, towards the sunset.


Papa & Hosanna enjoyed pointing out the little crabs and sea critters ...






Josiah & Elijah were excited to race down the beach to show their brother and sisters their favorite piece of drift wood for climbing ...







While Mama enjoyed taking pictures of the kids ... and the sunset. I am still learning the ins and outs of taking pictures of cute little dark faces (it is, actually, a whole lot different than taking pictures of cute little white faces). The task gets even more challenging when taking pictures of dark faces at dusk. But, I'm still experimenting and learning. I think I need to purchase a larger flash for my Nikon D70. Any photographers out there ... to give me some tips???






At 8:30, when we popped all of the kids back into the big, red van ... they definitely thought it was time to head home to bed. But, just as I climbed into the van, the big boys called. They had just finished up an evening of paintballing and asked if we had eaten. I whispered, "Well ... we were thinking about eating ice cream. Why don't you all meet us at Dairy Queen in 20 minutes." Off we headed towards home. D.Q. is just a short ways from home, so the kids got a very nice surprise when we pulled into the parking lot and told the kids it wasn't bedtime yet. Ice cream treats were a great finale to a long, fun day. (Sorry ... should have taken my camera in.)