We went to North Shore again on Poppy's last day in town and we stuck to the river side and sat in the shade to play in the sand and let the kids swim in the water. Evan loved swimming in the water, although he wanted his goggles, which we didn't bring that day. Nanna and I helped Emma build a sand castle with a moat. Emma then made many trips from the water to the castle with buckets full of water to pour in the moat. Even though it never kept its water (it drained down through the sand), she enjoyed pouring it in and watching it drain away. Evan also eventually decided that was good fun and got a few buckets of water to play with as well. Just before we left the beach that day, we saw a guy on a jet ski jet pack thing that made him fly up in the air...it was really cool. As we were leaving the beach, Evan kept asking to go to the ocean side because he could hear the waves and wanted some wave play. Next time, we told him, as he had already spent quite a bit of time in the sun that day.
Calm riverside beach water, great for wading
Evan was captivated, as were we all, by the cool water jet pack!
Our last visit to North Shore, was on Sarah's last day with us, and we went back to the ocean side of North Shore. The kids were excited because their cousin Eva came with us too. The waves were really rough, and there is no swimming beach area there (meaning no lifeguard area...swimming is allowed, at your own risk). There were people surfing there though, and Evan loved having the waves crash into him and knock him over. He started squatting down low so the waves could come in and make him flip over, bottom over head. It made me nervous, and the first time it happened I thought he'd be done with it (as in not like it), but, alas, he loved it. He came up, after having swallowed lots of ocean water and sand, with sand all over his head, with a big smile on his face ready to do it again! Crazy, fearless boy! Eva was so sweet to hold onto him and help keep an eye on his for me. Auntie Sarah held onto Emma so Emma could experience the waves too, by keeping her upright when big ones came and/or picking her up to help her "jump" over them. Emma was also loving that.
Emma loved hanging out with Auntie Sarah!
Look at that wild bunch in the wild surf!
Back to Mudjimba
On our last full day in Australia, what better way to spend it than with some time at the beach and a park. We went back to Mudjimba beach and park because they have a lifeguard and swimming beach area, and then had a picnic and playtime in the part after the beach play time. The morning was more overcast and the clouds were threatening to shower at any minute, but it was still a nice comfortable temperature for being outside and the ocean water was nice and warm. I spent my time out in the water with Evan and he was playing in the waves, nearly body surfing on some of them. I also found some beautiful seashells along the beach this morning. Emma played in the water a bit with John, but then went on to play in the sand. The kids also built a small sand castle and we buried Evan's legs in the sand. As we were winding down at the beach, we felt a few sprinkles of rain so decided it was time to head to the park and find a covered shelter for our picnic. It didn't end up raining on us more than that though. It really was a perfect day at the beach and great way to start our last day of the trip. I took a nice panoramic photo of the beach before we left to remember its beauty.
First time being (partially) buried in the sand!
Saying goodbye to the ocean...
Goodbye beautiful beach...can't wait to see you again.
I'm starting to think we'll have to go to the swimming beaches back home more often now, but to be honest, I think what Evan loves the most is the ocean and the waves. Emma loves the sand, so a swimming beach on a lake will suit her alright (if the sand is decent at least), but Evan will still miss the ocean. What can I say, my kids love the ocean.
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