Bringing the mountain to Mohammad

I loved the beach as a child. In fact, I still do. As a child, I recall 'stealing' sand home from the beach so that I'd have sand to play with at home. As a teenager, I recall walking, running and blading along the beach a lot. As an adult, I ran there, after work when work was close to the beach. And now, as a mother, I'd like to introduce my children to the joys of the beach.

The beaches in Singapore are not ideal. There is glass on the sand, junk in the water and insects and ants all over the place. But at least, there is still that expanse.

So, I packed up the entire family one afternoon and we were off.

Jordan took to the sea like a duck to water. The minute the sea was in side, her slippers got kicked off and she scampered to the water's edge and proclaimed loudly many times, "This is fun!"

Evan however, was very cautious. With a perpetual furrow on his brow, he gingerly stepped on the sand barefoot. He was happy to set up camp near the grandmas were. Gradually he moved downwards toward the water's edge where his sister was cavorting with great glee. No amount of coaxing and cajoling would convince him to run into the water.



















Eventually his sister tired of waiting and decided that he could stand still and she would build the ocean around him. And he was just happy waiting for her to do that.




By the time he moved all the way down the beach into the water, it had taken a total of an hour and a half and he had about 5 minutes with the waves lapping at his feet before we had to turn around and go home.

Muffin fared just about the same as his brother. He was happy to be carried to watch the waves but was extremely annoyed with my mother for standing him in the water. He punished her by not allowing her to carry him after that.

When I put him on the sand, he'd lift his foot that had sand and wouldn't put it down until I dusted it. He kept doing that over and over again until he realised it was an exercise in futility and was happy to just sit on the mat with Grandma and eat sand.


























All was happy and exhausted by the time we got back to the car. As expected, Jordan fell asleep the minute she got into the car. She did play non-stop at the water's edge for a good hour and a half.

Note to self though. Next time we go to the beach, a big jerry can of water is necessary to wash off all the fine sand that gets everywhere.

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