Raising Boys

Some fun in the sun April 17, 2006

One hot, lazy Saturday, we made our way to the beach for some fun and sun, and boy, did we get both in abundance. My sons couldn’t wait to jump into the sea when we arrived and it was not even 8 a.m. yet.

No amount of remonstration could get them to break their communion with the sea and when they finally stopped, some six hours later, no SPF lotion–even at a high of 50 and applied at least four times–could stop Lennon’s sunburn and no amount of rest alleviated Dylan’s dizziness and nausea. Serves them both right.

Minor inconveniences notwithstanding, Dylan and Lennon did have a good time at the beach. They built sandcastles, destroyed sandcastles, played with a flotation device made out from a discared tire part and rented for 30 pesos, wore goggles, went boating, swam in the sea, played on the sand, and all the things one can possibly do on the beach with all those sand and water around.

Lennon, 3, even took things a little further by tasting seawater. No, he did not drink it. He opened his mouth, got his tongue out, and slowly lowered it to the sea. You should have seen his face when his tongue touched the salty water. He is funny that way.

Dylan told me while watching me swim that he now realized that knowing how to do it was useful.

I asked him if he wanted to learn but he begged off, telling me to hold the lessons until he turns eight. But that is less than two months from now, I replied. Why wait? I forgot if he ever answered me back.

We went home at around 3 p.m. spent and looking like burnt toast, likely an exaggeration, but with our fill of fun and sun.