Virginia Beach

Gran and Grandaddy stayed in Emporia for the day as we trekked to Virginia Beach to get some sun and play time in the sand. I had never been to VA beach, but Daddy had been there quite a bit growing up. The beach was packed, as it was again another very hot 105 degree day. We found a spot close to the water so that we wouldn't have to run through the hot sand to get to the waves which was a really smart choice. Joshua jumped right in playing in the sand, making a small lake with tunnelling towards the ocean to pull in water when the waves would come crashing to the shore. Taylor, on the other hand, was terrified of the crashing waves, and wanted nothing to do with the ocean. We had to pour water over her to keep her cool because she would go nowhere near the water. We did take her out in the water a couple of times, and she put up with it shortly, but then would pretty quickly ask to get out of the water. The waves were really powerful. Daddy was the only one who didn't get knocked over by them at all...Joshua and I had several times where we were pushed down by the force of them smacking against the shoreline. Daddy and Joshua made it a game for quite awhile to jump the waves when they would come crashing in, or to try to escape the waves by running towards the shore as they approached. The water was so refreshing in the heat and we stayed at the beach for a couple of hours before heading to the car to change. We ended up coming back to the boardwalk and eating at a pizza place called Bella's and then wandering around a bit, shopping and then letting the kids ride a couple of the carnival rides that were interspersed amongst the boardwalk. Joshua got to ride a fast spinning ride (it was called the Materhorn when I was growing up) which went forwards and backwards and then they both rode a helicopter that flew around in circles and could fly up and down. Taylor lastly rode the train which she had no problem boarding all by herself. We had a great time at the beach overall, and Taylor was a happy little girl again once we left the waves for shopping and carnival rides!