Theo changes Mom's opinion of the beach

I never was an ocean-lover. However, this past weekend we went to Duck, NC, for Great-Grampy's happy birthday celebration, and Theo got to play on the beach. He had a great time, which means that this summer, and for the next two decades, I'll be seeing a lot more of the beach than I ever thought I would. I could see myself loving the ocean if it could bring my kids that much innocent happiness.



That is Theo and cousin Ralphie up in the air, with their dads ready to catch them on the ground. Everybody is wearing white shirts and blue jeans because we were doing a photo session at the time. Theo did get to have a chance to play on the beach wearing swimshorts, but the ocean was too cold for him. Not to worry, the sand is full of treasures for a pootie.



These last two pictures are of the Easter egg hunt. Like going to the ocean, that is something I did not do much of as a child (or a grown-up). Unlike going to the ocean, it is not something that I will incorporate into Theo and Ruby's upbringing. I'm not a big fan of candy, Easter bunnies, nor the idea that Easter has anything to do with these things. As a parent I am still trying to figure stuff out, and I won't pretend that I have a solid argument for everything that I am doing. I will admit that there is a measure of cuteness seeing Theo's excitement in locating an egg, and seeing cousin Joshua and Theo share the eggs that they have found. But I really don't understand the point of eggs and bunnies, and cuteness can be found without them.

I leave you with the first ever Manlangit-Gifford family "portrait":