A Day at the Beach

We had the most perfect day trip yesterday to celebrate Issa's birthday. We headed out bright and early to Wrightsville Beach. The weather was our idea of perfect: overcast with a nice breeze. We love the beach when the sun isn't glaring. We had the place to ourselves, and we loved every moment.

Issa loved collecting shells in her new bag: We ended the day with 161 shells; we washed and counted them last night.

Evan loved digging in the sand:

I loved the whole day, but especially these moments:

Daddy and Issa loved walking in the waves and collecting shells, and I never get tired of capturing those father/daughter moments.

There were also kites to be flown:

And dump trucks to be driven:

And I really was there! I love this picture:

After a picnic lunch and plenty of beach fun, we headed twenty minutes down the road to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. It is amazing! We must be especially lucky; for the second time this year we looked into the eyes of an albino alligator:

The tidal pool was also a big hit!

I learned so much about horseshoe crabs. Did you know they have ten legs and ten eyes?

Meet Sugar the purple sting ray. Evan loves him:

And how can you resist "riding" a frog?

On the way home, we all sang along with Journey, even Merlia/Zuma/Dolphin (I really need Issa to settle on a name for her new friend):

And this one sums it up:

Evan made sunglasses from a water bottle label. We laughed all day. No whining. No fussing. Just fun.

We are so blessed that we live in a place where in a little over two hours we can stand beside the ocean. It was a wonderful day trip that felt like a week's vacation. Happy birthday, Issa!