Monday+Beach=Good

Hudson, Hadley and I went to the beach this morning.  A lot of work is required to spend just an hour and a half on the sand.  It is so much work, that at times one may wonder if it is worth it.  But it is worth it... usually.

Hadley is getting the hang of the whole "don't eat the sand" rule.  She is such a thumb sucker that without trying, loads of sand end up in her mouth.  Poor dear.  Today however, she discovered the joy that is rubbing sand into her scalp.  She scooped fist fulls of sand onto her head and rubbed in.  It was painful to watch, knowing how annoying it would be to try and get out later, but I let it happen because she delighted in it.  And I was having fun watching her joy.  

 

While considering Hadley on the beach today, the question now strikes me... as a mom, how much harmless delight have I curtailed because it was going to be too much work?  Would living in the moment with my kids mean that I could always see the delight in the now, instead of seeing the mess to come later?  If the beach is always worth the work, then I am inclined to believe that the mess of delight is usually worth it too.