A Trip to the Beach

We just returned from James's first trip to the beach (the annual Ridley-family pilgrimage to Kiawah Island, SC). (This partly, but not entirely, explains my slowness in posting an update around here recently.)

James was fascinated--and not the least bit bothered--by his first baby steps into the ocean. This was not a complete surprise, as he loves both interesting textures underfoot and baths, but it still bodes well.






We'll see if his interest and fearlessness hold up in future years. James's grandmother also rented him a beach stroller, which James seemed to enjoy both for the view and for the naps:



(Yes, it was cold and windy enough for a little guy to need a blanket at the beginning of the week--blissful for this big guy, and frankly I think for the little guy too. Then, after a passing visit from Subtropical Storm Andrea, it warmed up enough for James to wade as above.)

We all also had a lovely visit with the Ridleys (and with some of James's Ridley-side Nash and Tunney relatives). James with his Granddad Clancy:



James finally getting a much-sought-after hold of his feet:



And James just being James:





The practical lesson of the trip--we drove down there--was that James continues to be an excellent car traveler, but (1) gets fussy right on schedule at around dusk, but there's less to do about it in the car until he finally conks out for his evening nap, and (2) can be expected to go completely postal for a little while after getting to his destination. Ah well. I can hardly blame the little guy; I-95 isn't much fun. But the next day, he is reliably back to his happy self.