Sea Shell Fairies on Siesta Key at Siesta Sands on the Beach

As I love to do when I visit a beach, especially my beloved, Siesta Key, I leave behind a thank you fairy after collecting shells during my stay.  

I wonder if anyone ever sees them?  I always hope a small child finds her and feels the joy I put into her.

This week, I had a never ending slew of shells to chose from, and took advantage of that by making a second sprite.

Sugarwings loves this beach too. We got in too late on Saturday night to get out in the sand, but the minute we woke up, we were out to greet the day at our home away from home for the next week.

Have you ever flown a kite at the beach? This was a first for us, but will be a tradition from now on.

(This is the yard of our condo, perfect for its beautiful views, and for providing space to play in, far enough away from the Gulf that I don't have to worry about Sugarwings being tempted by the water)

The first day, I had my eye on this umbrella that the wind had taken up into the brush.  It was there all day, no one claimed it by dark,  so I sent my husband through the scrub and sticker plants to scoop it up for Sugarwings to play under.  It was slightly broken, I guess the original owners didn't want it. (We did leave it out in case someone was looking for it)

Their loss, our gain! It was just what we needed for her to stay in the shade to play in the sand.  We also purchased a couple of folding chairs, and that made the trip much more comfy, for sitting out by the water and reading.  I don't know why I've been too cheap to do that in the past.  Low beach chairs are about $10-15 at Walmart, and we could use them all week.

 It always seemed wasteful when I'd thought about buying one in the past, but isn't when I realized that when I go to other hotels that have chair rentals, I pay $25 for one afternoon to borrow them.   Silly that I hesitated to purchase a seat for less than I'd rent one. 

I might even buy an umbrella next time, since chances are we won't be lucky enough to have one blow our way again. And it made the trip so much better for my grand fairy.  

Sugarwings was as dedicated to shell finding as I was.  We bought her a boogie board, but the waves weren't cooperating.  She used it instead as a shell transport system, pulling it behind her as she searched for treasure in the shallow water and then placing them on the board to bring them back to shore.  

We didn't have Dewdrop with us by the water, she was spending the week with her mama who lives in Sarasota.  How lucky for me that I needed to deliver her on Spring break to my favorite city in the world?!

We had a very laid back week, with some chilly temperatures that required jackets on the beach a couple of days, and I picked up a slight illness that slowed me down, while my poor husband had a horrid bought of the flu with on and off fevers.  Still, if you aren't feeling your best, where better to rest up and take it easy?  We sat by the water in our folding chairs, watched the waves and our pretty grand fairy. 

 I'll miss you, Siesta Key!