The Whole Idea

As we may have mentioned last year, our annual trip to the beach with the Stitzhals and the Behrman-Johnsons is a longstanding tradition: Josie had just learned to walk the first year we went to Iron Springs. As Holden Caulfield noted about museums, coming back to the same place every year really highlights the changes in us from visit to visit. One year the old dog starts having trouble with the stairs he used to bound up and down... The little baby who could never keep up with the other kids is now running with the pack... You were just beginning to think about leaving your job last year, and now you've only got a few weeks left...

This year the place was slightly different, but the change in the kids was plenty obvious -- especially compared to the houseful of toddlers and babies next door. Watching those parents hauling their baby gates and car seats and sippy cups all over the place, we realized we've definitely left those days behind. I mean, look at these people:


Friends, we are now firmly in the realm of skateboards and eyeshadow and iPod Nanos. And whether our children are fearlessly leading the way across the river, or asking us to get them some milk even though the fridge is right there and we are up to our elbows in pie dough, or exhibiting an incredible forehand frisbee throw we didn't know they knew:


Or suddenly looking outrageously grown-up in a borrowed hat,



Or cuddling on our laps unselfconsciously (until someone pulls out the camera),


It's pretty clear they're getting ready to leave us behind.


Which is, of course, the whole idea -- right?