Truthfully speaking, it’s hard to get out these days — Catering to Sonny’s nap schedule segments the day in such a way that doesn’t allow for a lot of spontaneity or even scheduled adventures, for that matter. Not easily, anyway. But there’s a season for everything and we make do. And if it weren’t for the naps, well, nothing would get done. So ya, season for everything. In any event, I left Sonny home to nap with Willy and took the older boys to the beach; a rare warm day following the most rain I can remember witnessing having grown up my whole life in California. A day that had me dreaming of summer days. And for what felt like the first time ever, I actually got to close my eyes for a bit; not to sleep, but to relax and take in the sounds. Free from sweet Sonny, who at his tender age demands nearly all of the attention of whoever is watching him. If for nothing else than for safety alone. It was nice to enjoy Hooper and Van, to take note of how much they’ve grown and are changing. We came home more burnt than we should have, I blame the fog for deceiving us and the nearly empty spray can of sunscreen that, in hindsight, probably blew more air than actual protection. In any event, it was nice to take an afternoon ‘off’ and to enjoy these older boys of mine, one on one. Or two on one; how it always used to be.

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