I was going to write “it never ceases to amaze me that we vacation in Maine every summer,” but then I looked back at previous “Maine posts” and realized that I write that same phrase almost every year after we return from Maine. But it’s true. I am amazed.

And like a good parent, I am sure to remind my children each year just how blessed they are to live in such a beautiful part of the country and not have to dodge jellyfish and tar on the beach like I did growing up going to the less-than-lovely Texas coast. (Better shells in Texas, though!)

The kids could hardly wait to join us in Ogunquit after our three nights alone in Bar Harbor. Lois drove them up to meet us, (and took them out for ice cream, because we were really late in arriving!) and they were super excited to engage in all of our traditional Ogunquit, Maine activities….

Purchasing bagfuls of various forms of sugar from the “penny candy” store and then going a few doors down for ice cream. And drinking cream soda with lunch at the beach. Yes, vacation = more sugar than my kids probably eat in a whole year.

Talking at least one parent (guess which one?) into actually ENTERING the water.

(And this would be another way the Texas cost gains some points over the north Atlantic coast: you can actually enter the water without suffering from hypothermia in a matter of seconds. Honestly, it HURTS to just stick your feet in.)

Lots of hole-digging and sand castle building and erecting sand walls or deeper moats to try and protect your just completed creation from the incoming tide.

Love this last photo of all three working intently on their individual projects.

Such a fun way to end the summer!