Another Sunday Night At the Beach: The Father’s Day Version

Father’s Day was a calm, warm day.  We ate brunch at one of our favorite restaurants, came home for a rest, and then decided to bring a kayak down to the rocky beach.  The kidlets, especially Mr. Sneaky Pants, had been asking about going kayaking the whole week that Dr. Peds was off fishing in Canada, so they were bouncing around with great excitement regarding the prospect of taking the kayak down to the beach.

Mr. Sneaky Pants had lots of ideas about how he could drive the kayak BY HIMSELF.  He got to do some solo kayaking at Papa Richard’s lake cabin a few weeks ago.  I tried to mention that Lake Superior was a lot different than Papa Richard’s cabin, and dissuade him, but Dr. Peds had an even better idea:  a 50 foot rope.  Really, the rope could have been a bit longer, but 50 feet worked out pretty well.  Mr. SP was in the kayak by himself running the paddle, and he couldn’t get very far away from shore at all.  Dr. Peds held on to the rope and walked up and down the beach.  Mr. SP was filled with joy and happiness.

For those waiting for their turn in the kayak (no, I didn’t participate, although I was really tempted . . . I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get OUT of the kayak once I was in) there were  rock collecting expeditions, jumping contests, and a new bit of pretend play:  since they were wearing life jackets, they pretended to be dogs fetching sticks in the lake.  They’d throw out a stick and then leap into the frigid water and doggie paddle out to retrieve it.  Mr. SP was a lot braver than Ya Ya.  The Banana rolled her eyes and watched from shore.