a morning at the beach at low tide

This morning was a perfect morning for a beach trip, and we got to enjoy a spectacular low tide.

A little girl on a big beach... magical.

There were hermit crabs and snails in tide pools everywhere.  Ree was fascinated, but I had to save a few snails from her curious probing fingers and thumbs.

Small green and pink pails were quickly filled with treasures, including plenty of water so the little creatures could survive their experience in the hands of a two-year-old and a four-year-old.

Nell made sand castles and surrounded them with carefully selected stones.

Ree did some sand sculpting of her own, totally engrossed -- that little tongue!

My sister-in-law joined us for the morning and the girls couldn't have been more pleased with her company.  They were both particularly fond of scattering sand all over her towel and clambering into her lap uninvited!

It was a good morning, complete with lunch on the beach while some sea gulls circled us menacingly.

And oh, the treasures that made their way home with us in those pink and green pails.  Shells, a few sea gull feathers, and many, many rocks.  Nell is very fond of rocks.

As we arrived home and she walked inside with rocks in hand, I commented, "You love rocks so much; maybe you'll be a geologist when you grow up!"  Her face fell, her lower lip quivered, and she replied, "No!  I'm going to be a princess!"

And on that note, this worn out beach bum transferred to her crib without a peep...

...And the future princess settled down to "just read books" and immediately dropped off to sleep.