Found this one in a series that I took back in late February while Leta and I went for a beach walk on our vacation. Our first day there we all went down to the beach and Leta refused to walk on the beach. We all took turns carrying her and I figured we’d be looking at a Florida scenario where the last possible time on the beach would be where she’d finally get adventurous and then be upset that we had to leave the beach.
After a few days, she had a case of cabin fever and we started to take walks. Every day on our walks I’d ask her if she wanted to go to the beach. Finally, the two of us made it down to the beach. I don’t know if she was afraid of the ocean, the noise and scope, the texture of the sand or just the new experience. She was particularly adventurous on this day, climbing on rocks, playing in the sand (albeit tentatively) and asking me to take her picture. The obvious pride that she felt in overcoming her fears and dislikes about the beach were obvious in these shots. Sure, she kept her shoes on, but look at that face!
Parenting is exhausting most days, but when you see your kid have a breakthrough moment or a series of breakthrough moments, it can be breathtaking.
