Sunshade

Gran and Grandad's last morning with us today. We convinced them to stay for lunch, and packed a picnic to take to Littlehampton, to go over the dunes and play on the sandy beach.

It is so beautiful there, it really is. And it's been another stunningly hot and sunny day as well, perfect for a beach picnic! Ben and Grandad dug and built a boat in the sand to play in, and rowed using their spades. Charley investigated all the pebbles he could find, and sweltered in the heat. We had our picnic, played and chattered, relaxed and enjoyed ourselves! Steve became a portable sunshade for a while, holding the parasol over the boys - we'd not put suncream on them, they'd had a good amount of sun, and I couldn't think of much worse at that point than rubbing suncream onto sandy bodies so they were kept shaded from there on!

We stayed until the tide came and washed their little boat away, watched sailboats and powerboats leave the marina, packed our picnic away and said our goodbyes.

Well, Steve and I did. Ben refused. He was very very sad and did not want to say goodbye. He hid in my shoulder as Gran and Grandad drove away. We watched the water a little more, climbed sadly into our car, and set off home.

The boys and I fell asleep.

Three quarters of an hour later I opened my eyes, thoroughly confused, wondering why on earth we weren't home yet as I was SURE the last thing I'd seen was us almost at the end of our road. Steve had decided as we were all fast asleep to give us a chance at a decent nap! I was grateful :) We dropped him off at home to attempt to do some work, and I took two still-sleeping boys to the supermarket, and waited in the carpark until they woke up.

We headed straight to the cafe. Happy boys. Charley helped me demolish a hot cross bun (little early for them, surely?! Mince pies on Palm Sunday, anyone?) and then we got our shopping. Ben and Charley went in a double-seated trolley for the first time, Charley bounced with excitement most of the way round!!