First trip to Lake Michigan Beach

Maddie's favorite cartoon, Olivia has an episode where Olivia goes to the beach.  Maddie started asking me if we could go to the beach, assuming we had a beach near.  This would have been a different story in St. Louis but since we are in Chicago and since Lake Michigan is 2.9 miles away I bravely told Maddie we would go.  I tried to get Maddie to take an early nap so we could have a picnic lunch there (which she had also been asking to do) but Maddie wouldn't sleep so we ate lunch at home and headed for the beach.

I had done some brief internet research on which beaches were kid friendly and we headed out.  We went to Montrose Beach.  I found the sandy beach and parked near.  I loaded the stroller and both girls.  It felt so surreal to be at a beach so near to our home and a beach that really resembled any ocean beach I had ever been to.  I had to remind myself we were at a lake.  I mean, there were even sea shells!  

I was so excited for Maddie to see the beach, touch the sand and water.  We made it down the long board walk and parked the stroller at the end.  I layed the blanket out on the sand,  pulled out the beach toys and helped Maddie make sand castles while I fed Harper a bottle.  She had watched Olivia make sand castles and I think Maddie really enjoyed packing the sand in the different shaped toys, turning them upside down and then revealing the fun shapes.  

After 10-15 minutes Maddie asked to go to the water.  I covered Harper with a blanket in her car seat and took Maddies hand.  The water was cold and I thought Maddie wouldn't like it.  The last time she was at the lake was last year while visiting Chicago and she hated the sand and water.  She was used to the pool.  Maddie LOVED the water!  She couldn't get enough and wanted to go deeper and deeper and let go of my hand.  We made three trips to the water and Maddie even fell at one point soaking her dress and diaper.  She whimpered a little bit but I explained to her that we get wet when we go to the beach and then she was okay.  We packed everything up and headed back home.  Of course, Maddie fell asleep in the car.  

All in all it was a great experience and we've been waiting for good weather on a weekend so that we can show Daddy our new beach.  I'm hoping to visit the beach often this spring and summer for picnics, sand castles, swimming, walks and sun sets.  

Touching the water for the first time.

Loving it!

One of my favorite photos.

All tuckered out after a fun time at the beach.