What came before this picture was the RUN into the lake, the feet entering water, the shrill screams of laughter as the chill of the water reached to the core of the brain, and then a run back to the warmth of the beach sand. As the three musketeers plotted their second attack I reached for the camera. They didn't notice me as I hurried to catch the pre-adolescent care free moment where they were still young at heart enough to brave the frigid water of the lake (after agreeing they must do it TOGETHER!).

There comes an age where many are not brave enough to dive in and enjoy the waves. I was thrilled that, at least for this summer, my kids and niece are still impervious the cold. Sure, they notice it more now than they did as toddlers, but they still will get in there and enjoy the glory of the big waves. I wanted to jump in there with them, but the cold makes me ache. Maybe next year I can try to get past the ache -- this year I could not yet muster the fortitude.

We call it "Death Watch" when we watch our kids in the lake. We know about undertow and riptides and caution them. Big wave day is a great day to be in charge of death watch because the kids are old enough to understand hand signals. They've learned to look back at me for my hand motions on if they have gone out to far or have drifted over and need to make their way back (you lose track of these things when you don't look back to the beach). It is easy to watch them and they are very well behaved on big wave day. Calm water now means no fear -- and death watch is made more difficult by underwater and distance swimming. On BIG WAVE day death watch is fun because they still have a blast but are wise enough to look back to home base on the beach for reassurance. (The term death watch was coined when my kids were about 2 and 3. They knew no fear and could not swim -- every beach day was a death watch because you never knew what they would pull on you).

I'm so happy that MY day taking them alone to the beach was the BIG WAVE DAY. Every year there is one stand out day where the waves are crazy and the fun is doubled. It is fun being the parent in charge on this day. I like it when it is me, the kids, and my camera. This picture comes before the other picture I already posted. I will enjoy looking at it until I am a very old woman. When I see those jumping feet and see those splashing waves I will be taken back to my childhood days at the lake and to this special day at the beach with the kids. THIS is why I love being a Mom. THIS is why I can't wait to have summers off as a teacher. I know my kids will still be kids for many years to come. They are fun kids, but they are also fun people. Our adventures have barely begun!