It's funny how one sensory thing can be so annoying and another can be so enjoyable. Sawyer had both experiences today, one right after the other.
First, we took all the boys down to play at the beach. Connor and Xander loved it - splashing in the water and running in the sand. Sawyer despised it, alternating between his "safe" island on the beach blanket and reaching his arms up for me to hold him. He did not like touching the sand, though he did cautiously pick up a handful and watch it fall - just once - from his little island. Any other time, he either cried or recoiled from the slightest touch of it against his skin. This from the boy who last year was picking up wet handfuls and slinging it with glee (as Xander eventually discovered today). Perhaps it was a bad day for the beach.
But, the pool, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. The boy absolutely loves the water. By the end of the day he was even tentatively swimming (I use the term very loosely, mind you) the few feet from Grandpa to the edge of the pool, so that he could jump in over and over again. He takes after Connor on that one. Even Xander has enjoyed the pool this time around, which is a big turnaround for him - he of the sleeping on lounge chairs at the pool last summer and crying at the sight of the indoor pool this fall.
So today was a sensory day for the boys. Connor loved every minute of all of it. Xander was pretty happy in either place, but probably happiest flinging wet sand on the beach. Sawyer was definitely only happy in the water.
Perhaps tomorrow he and Mommy will visit the pool again while everyone else enjoys the beach. Mommy's not much on sand or saltwater herself. Wonder where my quirky and cool little guy gets that from?