There we were--us four moms--standing and sitting and bouncing little ones, with eleven children under the age of four between us. Oh, and there was one five-year-old, as well. And one of the moms is six months pregnant. I know it sounds rather unbelievable, but really it's just that she was there, minus her two oldest kids... and that makes it entirely believable.

At one point, three three-year-old boys were deeply involved in filling a bucket of water to pour down their "stream" made of sand. The five-year-old girl had a fast follower in the three-year-old girl. My baby slept in a playpen, shaded by some well placed trees only feet away from the sand. Another baby needed to sleep, and almost did sleep except for his older sister's needs at an untimely moment. One little guy--a year old--crawled around and seemed rather intruiged by people smaller than he. And then there were the four wanderers: the almost-two-years-old crew. Three of them will have a birthday on August 10th; Bronwyn follows two days later.

It was one of the most fun days I've had in a long time. Let's do it again!

Edit: here are some pictures from yesterday (after church) and today's outing.

Thirsty after a service in an un-air-conditioned building!


Satisfied!


Ready for a nap


The happiest little guy!


Gabriel on the beach


Past naptime!


In the shade on the water--the best place for a nap in all of the US!


Sand toys are the best!


Splashing with Aunt Abby (we'd traded kids for the moment)