Adjustable plans

On Sunday afternoon, after an early morning church service, time spent serving the little ones and a fun Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt, it was time to get out of the dress up clothes and hit the sand. We had headed to church in spitting rain, so the sun was a welcome change. Lukas and Noah opted for their usual beach activity: construction. They have by now clearly defined roles and responsibilities: Noah digs, and Lukas hunts for drift wood, and other construction materials. The original plan called for a tepee like structure, in an attempt to replicate an earlier project at Carmel Beach. This time, the refinement was to dig down under the tepee so that it would give more standing room inside. Plans seemed to progress well, and this beach offered lots of easy access drift wood. Then... the large heavy piece of wood was dropped a bit too hard in to place and the tepee was no more. Not easily discouraged, the boys quickly decided this was just as good, an under ground cave, with air ventilation roofing. Noah set out to dig out more sand underneath to make the new cave a bit bigger in order to accommodate both of them at the same time. It turned out that the cave was in a prime location for admirers, just off the path to the parking lot. Several people stopped and admired, some itching to help out, and almost every little boy that walked by on his way to the car, had to be dragged forcibly by exhausted and sandy parents bogged down with large bags of sand toys, chairs and food - why leave when there was an opportunity to dig, build and remain on the beach? When it was time to leave, Noah took a last look at the inside of their handiwork to make sure it was left in satisfactory condition. We probably brought home at least five pounds of sand inside pockets, crevices and sock folds.... but that is what vacuum cleaners are for!