Life's A Beach.

This was taken last week. One of the days that my neice, Kayla was feeling well enough to go out for a while. Some days the chemo knocks her on her butt, but this day wasn't one of them. We took her out for supper and for a walk around the man-made lake near the hospital. Here she is with me and her dad, my brother-in-law. She had a chuckle at the ducks and their antics. The fresh air put a bit of colour in those pale cheeks and best of all she escaped the confines of three walls and a curtain for a while. In July, My Mother-in-law and her sister, went to visit Kayla. When they came home they brought Kaylas brothers and little sister home with them. They will be here untill the end of the month. It gives them a break from all this worry. Also Kaylas Mom and Dad can spend more time focusing on Kayla.
So What do you do with three kids from the praries? You take them to the beach of course!
Here, at Spanish Banks, my hubby Keith, instructs Kaylas two brothers and another nephew, in the fine arts of sand-castle construction, with a little demo from my gal, Heidi. At first, these inland kids, were disgusted by the seaweed and the crab shells on the tide line! Eewie! And that salty water made them gag! But it wasnt long before they were rolling in the sand and then jumping in the waves, just like west coast kids! They even found a large branch to erect and made a moat that they filled with water. While they were swimming, not far off the shore, a seal popped up about eight feet from Heidi! It took a little look at them, maybe figured they were too big to eat, and swam off. We saw another seal later, but while the kids were on dry land!
On the left is Kaylas little sister Lexi, with another local cousin, who is close to her age. These girls took turns burying eachother in the warm sand. This is one of my favorite photos of the day. Lexi collected a pail of seashells and pretty rocks for Kayla. She talked about how next time she comes to the beach, she wants to bring her sister too.
In the next shot, the girls went for a walk with their Great Aunt to search for 'Patrick' the starfish from that popular childrens cartoon. They didnt find him, but never the less, enjoyed the hunt!
You can see the city of
Vancouver there in the distance. This beach backs onto the University of British Columbia endowment lands. All trees and cliffs. There are bald eagles living in those trees. While the kids were swimming, a huge eagle was circling overhead. Suddenly it plummeted down into the water and came up with a silver fish in its talons. It is incredible to be so close to the city, yet so close to nature at the same time.
It took two carloads to get all nine of us there. We got back to Maple Ridge by 7:30, where I promptly showered and went for a nap to ready myself for a night shift. Yes, I know, I am crazy, but I want to squeeze in what precious time I have with these little ones before they head back to Edmonton. When they go home they will regalle Kayla with their adventures and let her know that they can't wait to come back next year with her.
A special hello to CHANA. She is planning on bringing half a dozen kids from the Calgary for their first visit to the Sea. Hope you enjoy these photos girl, did they give you a taste of things to come?