Summer passing me by

I brought the kids to Sea Cliff beach after dinner tonight for some sand playing. I was craving some beach time, I figured the sun would be low enough so it would be safe for Emma. It would get us through the boys' witching hour (yea, they have a witching hour(s), Emma does not.)

It was a good plan.

We get there. Even with our super light packing, lugging that car seat always does me in. The boys want to play on the playground. No, wait. Unfriendly kids there. They move. They start digging a hole but too far from water. Need to move. They dislike the rocks. They can't get enough water in their bucket at the tide without help. Ryan pees in his pants. Drew breaks a shovel. Ryan's feet hurt walking barefoot. Drew, oppositely, is happy barefoot but thinks someone will steal his shoes (sorry honey, no one is in the market for secondhand Crocs....)

Eventually I nursed Emma thereby immobilizing myself. I told the boys to figure out a way to deal and stopped trying to fix anything. And then there was peace.

But sitting there trying to enjoy the beach among complaining, made me realize summer is passing me by. I know I expected it, since Emma is so young but it only hit me tonight that I've missed my normal summer stuff: the beach, seafood, some drinks, fun music, getting out on the water. If I were optimistic I'd say "let's make August count!" but realistically, I have three kids to juggle. I need to make August count for them too, not just me.