Don't Go In Over Your Ankles!!!
http://powerofmoms.com/articles/136/1/Don039t-Go-In-Over-Your-Ankles-/Page1.html
Melanie V
I was raised on Bainbridge Island in the breath taking northwest of Washington state. I grew up riding horses, hiking through mountains, and visiting the magical places sprinkled through out the Puget Sound. After graduating, I went on a YMCA summer youth exchange to Japan and later served a mission there for my church. I have nearly finished my degree in Family Science, and now live in Japan with my goofy, sweet husband and our 5 roll-around-and-laugh-all-day kids. By Melanie V
Published on 09/3/2008
My children were drawn like magnets to the breath-taking ocean waves. The walk along the boardwalk had...bored them, so to speak, so what could be better than chasing some waves?
Don't Go In Over Your Ankles!!!
We were walking down the boardwalk in Kona, Hawaii when the kids suddenly saw a short patch of ocean waves that curled up the beach between stores. Pleading eyes batted and swooned before me for permission to "just get their feet wet." I looked at their grandpa for a second opinion. He just shrugged his shoulders. So, I said, "OK, just don't go in over your ankles and ROLL UP your pants legs first!"
The horde of little ones raced across the sand, rolled up their pant legs, and began racing the waves up the sand. That was cute. Then they started to let the waves roll up to their ankles. Soon it was mid-calf. Then a rather large, unexpected wave made my oldest lose her balance and sploosh! She fell over and was soaked up to her waist. Then the free for all was unleashed. There was splashing and shrieking and goofing off galore!
Did we have extra clothes in the van though? No. All the kids were wet and sandy from head to toe by the time grandpa returned with the rented van. Grandpa and I looked around for what was available to change them into. Just a bunch of gray plastic bags with handles were laying around the back of the van.
A vision of plastic bag like bathing suits crossed my mind. AHA! That would do! While grandpa waited, I made leg holes at the bottom of each bag and one by one carefully changed each kid out of their sopping wet outfit and placed them (disgruntled as could be) within the temporary suit. The whole troupe sat there in a row in the van wearing their dry homemade plastic bag bathing suits. It was the funniest sight we'd ever seen. They looked like a bunch of Hobo children. Well, the rented van's interior was saved and no one caught the flu and I will NEVER forget how ridiculous they looked crinkling and chagrined about having gotten a little more than their feet wet!! Oh brother! I think all of them know what it means to not go in above your ankles now!
The horde of little ones raced across the sand, rolled up their pant legs, and began racing the waves up the sand. That was cute. Then they started to let the waves roll up to their ankles. Soon it was mid-calf. Then a rather large, unexpected wave made my oldest lose her balance and sploosh! She fell over and was soaked up to her waist. Then the free for all was unleashed. There was splashing and shrieking and goofing off galore!
Did we have extra clothes in the van though? No. All the kids were wet and sandy from head to toe by the time grandpa returned with the rented van. Grandpa and I looked around for what was available to change them into. Just a bunch of gray plastic bags with handles were laying around the back of the van.
A vision of plastic bag like bathing suits crossed my mind. AHA! That would do! While grandpa waited, I made leg holes at the bottom of each bag and one by one carefully changed each kid out of their sopping wet outfit and placed them (disgruntled as could be) within the temporary suit. The whole troupe sat there in a row in the van wearing their dry homemade plastic bag bathing suits. It was the funniest sight we'd ever seen. They looked like a bunch of Hobo children. Well, the rented van's interior was saved and no one caught the flu and I will NEVER forget how ridiculous they looked crinkling and chagrined about having gotten a little more than their feet wet!! Oh brother! I think all of them know what it means to not go in above your ankles now!