Sand Castles and Mountains and Kids

I am not sure if it is because we lived on an island off the coast of Florida for ten years, but our children have always loved beaches, surf, and sand, particularly sand castle building. We were the family that would carry REAL shovels to the edge of the water to dig and build the most exotic and creative sand castles for miles and miles.

By the time our third and most rambunctious child came along, we were heading for the mountains of Tennessee—no more sandy beaches. The boys adapted well to life in the Appalachians, and I was pretty sure that they weren’t missing the beach too much. And then I discovered . . .

 . . . a MONSTER sand castle that they had been building in the huge sand pile that the masons were using during the brick-laying phase of building our house. It was so detailed—a true work of art. You can take the kids away from the beach, but you can’t take the beach out of the kids. Point well proven.

The sand castle lasted for quite some time before the masons had to dig into their sandy architecture. In the meantime, we used the opportunity to learn all about castles, the children’s Scottish forefathers, the clan castle, and so much more. By the time of the sand castle’s demise, they had moved on to knights and weapons and, well, you know, boy stuff.

Learning so often comes when you least expect it, and the memories last for a lifetime.

-Amanda