1) go to the beach

Going to the beach is one of the big memories from my childhood and I hope will be a big part of the bee and the beans childhood too. Since we usually only go to the beach once or twice a year it holds this sort of mysterious awe. The girls are both fascinated and frightened by the ocean while simultaneously delighted by what is to them the worlds biggest sand box. For us a lot of this trip to the beach has been about the ocean. On our first day the bee immediately wanted to get in but was quickly knocked down by a wave and absolutely refused to go back in. Since then she has been daring to get closer and closer while still steadfastly refusing to actually get wet. This morning we were pleasantly surprised to find one of those tidal lagoons that sometimes happen, which gave her a chance to spend some time in the water safely away from the waves. We have been reading the book Ladybug Girl at the Beach by David Soman and Jacky Davis in which the main character Lulu also battles a fear of the ocean, in hopes that it will help a little.