Truth be told, Ashlyn has never really liked big parties with large groups of people. She would much rather keep it small or nothing at all. Some of the worst birthday parties have been when I forced larger gatherings on her, not realizing that my introverted girl was going to be so overwhelmed that she would either end up in tears or look back with negative memories. I've learned that it is much better to truly know your child: their likes, their dislikes & their limitations and once you know them, don't try to force them to be something they are not. God has created them as unique individuals & every child is different. Let them celebrate their differences.
I knew that the beach has always been one of her favorite places. She has fond memories of spending long lazy days in Santa Cruz with Memejo as a child or tide pooling on the cool beaches during our trips to Oregon with Hal & Jenny. So when I suggested a day at the beach to celebrate Ashlyn liked the idea. We took a couple of friends, left early in the morning to beat the crowds, stopped to pick up Memejo on the way & made our way to Rio Del Mar beach in Aptos.
It was cool & overcast when we arrived but that didn't stop the girls from heading down to water to dip their toes in.
gotta love the side-eye...
Lucie was a little more daring than Ashlyn & Hannah & she eventually ventured all the way into the water.
One thing you need to know about Memejo is that she is known for making giant bubbles. Ashlyn & Landon loved making bubbles when they were little. So my mom brought her special bubble mix & started making enormous bubbles...
The girls joined in & pretty soon we had attracted every little kid under the age of 7...
You've gotta admit, they are pretty impressive...
I'm not sure who had more fun- the girls, the little kids or Memejo...
It got a little chilly with the wind so everyone wrapped up in towels...
My mom brought the last of the boogie boards that she had in her beach arsenal from when Ashlyn & Landon were little. The girls weren't really interested & so she decided she was going to give it away. There was a teenage boy in the family camped out next to us & he jumped at the chance to have a free boogie board when my mom offered it to him. We watched as he tried & failed, time & time again, to ride a wave. Fearing that he would give up all together, I suggested to Ashlyn that she go down to the water to give him a few tips. I never assumed that she would take me up on it. To my surprise she ran off to tell him how to kick into the wave & to keep the front of the board up. We were all shocked that she went out of her comfort zone & talked to a total stranger & cheered her on from afar...
With her guidance he was able to ride wave after wave successfully!
I love this girl so much. When I asked her how she liked the girls beach day she said it was one of the best birthdays ever. So glad I got to share in this day with her.
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