Unexpected blessings

Today?  I had the most amazing beach day with the boys and my Mom.  Totally unexpected for a cold day in April ... in Rhode Island no less. 

The boys had the day off from school for Good Friday and we went down to Westerly to visit my Aunt Bonnie and Aunt Sheila.  They had a blast running the storage units again at the Cornerstone.  I took photos but they all disappeared, which has been known to happen with my current phone. 

After the visit we made our way to the beach.  I had prepped the boys since yesterday.  It will be cold, windy... not a water kind of day.  We can walk around for a few minutes and then we are back in the truck.  Heck I even made them wear heavy long sleeve shirts and their winter jackets. 

50 something degrees at home inland means 40 something at the beach - before the wind.

Stepping into the parking lot to unbuckle the boys, I felt it.  No wind.  At all.  I found myself telling them to leave their shoes and socks in the truck so they could feel the sand since it didn't seem as cold as I feared... but to keep those jackets zipped. 

We made our way out over the dune at Misquamicut and my Mom and I both took a breath, surprised at how clear blue the water appeared and how not cold it was.  Before I knew it, the boys were running in and out of the water.  And while trust me it was cold, I have been to the beach on much warmer summer days where the water feels colder than that. 

We rolled up the boys jeans and in and out they went.  They found shells and a lone crab leg for my Dad (don't ask) and even managed to make 'sand angels'.  When it was time to go the Doodle Bop got mad and the Bunny Bee threw himself down in the sand because they did not want to leave. 

I am so ready for summer.  And more than grateful for this beautiful and unexpected day.  I left feeling completely blessed.