The first beach day of the year

Yesterday was wonderful. I spent time on the beach in the morning and the rest of the day hanging out and playing with three of my grandsons. What is that stuff called again?? Oh yeah, unconditional love.
Oh and that other thing... living in the moment. Yep, that's the one. The kids are so obviously present in the moment. They are totally free to act silly, sing, scream, cry, have hurt feelings and express it all and not hold anything back, including sloppy kisses with runny noses. Or poop. Baby Jonah is delighted to share his most recent poop with you and he is deeeeelighted to have you clean his butt while he kicks his feet and gurgles with joy.

In the moment is a comfortable place for them. They don't give much thought to the things we dwell on. They aren't concerned with how they look, what other people think, how they should control their tempers. They haven't learned yet how to suppress their feelings. They wear them right out front and are happy to share with anyone. They have such joy.  Happy to have their feet buried in the sand, over and over. Happy to be hugged and give hugs. Happy to shriek at the top of their lungs. Happy to smile back. Even the baby, if he looks at you and you smile, he instantly smiles back. I could do it for hours.

Guess what college Ryan and Sonya attended? Sonya, Baby Ryan and I went to the beach on Saturday. 

This is Kristen with her new baby, Jonah at the circus in November. Nick and Kristen also have another son, James.

Here is James at Christmas dinner trying to teach me gang signs.

This is Susie, Kristen's mom. She is adorable.We are Mimi and Nini. : D

This picture is missing Baby Jonah but otherwise has all my boys and grandchildren.

From left to right on the sofa, James, Nick, Niles, Alana, Ryan, Baby Ryan, John and Griffin.

Charlie (aka Hubbie) is in the back

Nick and Niles have always had a close relationship.

Here are my two little imps, James and Ryan, climbing over the end of the sofa to jump...on me... although they have been repeatedly warned to stop. It is such fun! They are so happy!!

(It is kinda hard to get a focused picture of these two.)

Now I am off to play with these guys at a birthday party.

I am going to allow myself to be about 5 or 6 years old.

Hope you are having a fun day too!

With love and joy for this day,

B