Sand City

I love school holidays – the sleep ins, the relaxed mornings and especially the adventures with the Munchkin.

Today, after catching up with some friends at a cafe, we went to the beach.

After exploring the rockpools for a while, we head for the shore.

“I’m making a sand city”, calls the Munchkin as he runs straight for the water’s edge. “OK”, I call back, “just don’t get wet!”

I know it is an exercise in futility, but it feels like the proper ‘Mum’ to do. While the sun is out, there is no warmth in it, and it’s an hour’s drive home.

“Come join me Mum”, he calls. I don’t really feel like making sand castles, and I certainly don’t want to kneel down in the cold, wet sand. I have other things on my mind and I’d really like some time to myself.

“I’ll look for treasures for your sand city”, I tell him, and wander off up the beach.

And such treasures… driftwood, shells of all shapes and colours, sponges, sea-worn gumnuts, a piece of bone and loads of other unidentified goodies.

One by one, I admire their delicate beauty and formation, before taking them to the Munchkin to adorn his creation.

“This one’s a window”, he says as I hand him a shell. He quickly finds it a place. “Ooohhh, that bone makes a great cannon” – and so it goes…

Secretly, I’d hope he’d stop and admire each item like I have, but instead he busies himself with building and decorating.

I pocket a couple of items to take home to photograph. I will return them another day.

It is soon time to leave, and I drag the Munchkin away. Of course he does not want to go, but it is getting late and we have a long drive home.

We are halfway back to the car when I realise something is wrong. I stop.

“Can I please go back and get that bone Mum?” he pleads. I am hesitant, but the look on his face tells me he has taken it all in.

“OK”, I reply, and he runs off to fetch it.

Today I am grateful.