On-The-Beach Babies

These shots were all from the same afternoon as the hanging ten shots...  Yep, I am sitting in the water, back to the ocean, with my very precious camera in hand.  Did I care that my husband would rather me not get salt spray on it?  Not when I was getting shots like these!!  Example:  This is what you get when you say, "Smile!" to Addison when she's got the ocean, the sand and a found-spoon to contend with.

And this is what Caden gives you, as if to say, "This piece of sea grass is way cooler than your camera Mom"...

It's pretty much the patented Jennifer grin.  My Papa once got so bothered by it when I was younger, that he offered me a quarter to show my teeth each time I smiled.  Let's just say, while the moolah inspired me to smile bigger when he was watching, it never really changed my grin.  Though he faithfully kept his pockets stocked with quarters, just in case.  Thankfully, more often than not this is what you get from Caden...

...  and Addison.  This is her winking face ; )

Those tidal pools were awesome.  Minus the crab that kept running over my toes, that is.  Actually, pretty much everything about the beach was awesome.  Great weather, not too hot or bright.  Plenty of space to run and plenty of sea gulls to watch.  Even a few shrimp boats came close to shore!  And of course, having Gramzy and Pop there made everything way cooler.  Way more relaxing.  And way more memorable.  Here are a few shots that illustrate what each kid was all about while on the beach:

Caden?  Snack.  Standing.  Watching.  Taking it all in.  Lots of looking down.  And lots of trying to get his feet to keep up with the rest of his body when he got the itch to run...

Addison?  Energy to burn.  The girl was always on the move.  Running down to the water, then trying to outrun the waves.  Running to catch sea gulls.  Examining new treasures and giggling.  Just because.  

Check this little clip to see what I mean.  Addison takes off and doesn't look back.  She almost ended up in Virginia once ; )

Now read this, and then watch again.  

Addison runs like she's dancing.  She sort of prances about, like she's lighter than air.  A beach fairy, bouncing along.  Unbounded and free..  Blissful even.  Not a bit in need of any entertainment or supervision.  Just happy to be.  How beautifully independent she is.  Sure of herself.  And she laughs with such abandon.  Almost like a shriek of excitement that just can't be contained.  Oh, sweet girl, may your joy always shine so brightly!  

Caden is no less joyful, he's just different.  A little clingy when he's tired or nervous.  More inclined to observe than act at first.  And honestly, kind of bumbly.  Like the mass of his upper body is just a teensy bit ahead of his lower body and his legs are constantly trying to keep up.  Like Road Runner, leaning full-on into the journey so he can go fast (or get snack).  So different, those two. So wonderfully, perfectly different.

I am eternally grateful that I caught Caden's little voice asking to "walk wit Mama".  Yes, little man.  YES.  I will always walk with you.  On beach days, just to see what's ahead.  On school days, when we're both nervous about a new year.  On important days and ordinary days.  When you want to hold my hand and when you don't even realize I'm there.  When you ask and even when you don't.  

Yes, sweet boy.  

Mama will always walk with you.