Tag Archives: sand

Beach Baby

Living near the beach, my son has been a beach baby since he could sit up. He was crawling in the sand long before he could walk. He’s the second generation beach baby as I have plenty of photos of myself on the beach by the age of two. The beach holds a lot of fun for a toddler. The sand is fun to play in. It doesn’t seem to matter if they are playing with the sand with their hands or building a sand castle with shovels, sand is just simply fun. We’ve taken my son’s beach toys out … Continue reading →

Beach Bummer: Germs in the Sand

Bad news if you’re a beachgoer: that sand may not be as safe as you think. A study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (conducted in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency) took a look at the bacteria content of beach sand… and how it can affect your family. Researchers spoke with close to thirty thousand families about their beach visits between 2003 and 2007. Participants were asked about contact with the sand (for themselves and their children) and were asked about health issues during a follow-up interview about ten days later. Approximately six percent of study … Continue reading →

Is Your Dog a Beach Bum?

My dogs Moose and Lally have never been to the beach. I don’t trust Moose to romp off-leash in an unfenced area; Lally is not a fan of water as it is. My old dog Miko was another story. He loved the beach, and would chase waves as they ebbed and flowed — as long as he didn’t get his feet wet. It was adorable! If your dog loves the beach — and especially the water — you may have some extra grooming on your hands. If your pup stays dry, sand can more or less be brushed off the … Continue reading →

Travel Warning: The Dangers of Sand

If you thought large waves, strong rip currents, and sharks were the only dangers at the beach—-think again. There is nothing that makes my 3-year-old happier than digging a massive hole in the sand at our favorite beach in Hawaii. (Okay, she doesn’t exactly do much of the digging, but she really nails her role as sand hole foreman.) The sand hole becomes a mock playpen/playhouse for her while we are at the beach. Unfortunately, I recently learned that sand holes can become shallow graves for young children. A new report reveals that in the last ten years more than … Continue reading →

Waikiki Beach Makeover

It’s an event that hasn’t taken place in more than three decades, but now it is just days away from starting—Hawaii’s famed Waikiki beach is getting a makeover- of sorts. It’s really more of an expansion than an actual makeover, but when the project is complete you will be able to spread out on the powder white sand without worrying about elbowing the visitors tanning themselves next to you. According to state Department of Land and Natural Resource, the sand replenishment project should take a month to complete—just in time for the influx of holiday travelers. Project organizers plan to … Continue reading →

Cabinet Re-facing: Refinishing

Refinishing cabinets as well as other furnishings and accessories in the home can be an arduous task. However, anyone can do it and it is a cost effective option. It definitely costs far less than replacing cabinetry, and it can provide a beautiful transformation. If you have ever refinished a piece of furniture, you know what to expect. Refinishing cabinets requires much the same attention to detail and effort. It’s a lot like painting cabinets, but it does require a bit more time and skill. Either way, please read the previous article, Re-facing Cabinets: Five Tips for Painting, for more … Continue reading →

Simple Sandboxes

Would your child love to have a sandbox? You don’t have to spend a lot of money having one built. You can construct one yourself, or you can make a really simple sandbox using these ideas. What a Swimmingly Fun Idea Purchase a small plastic swimming pool. Measure it and dig a hole that it will just fit inside, place it in the hole, and fill it with sand. You can find bags of sand at nurseries, home improvement centers, and garden centers. You should be able to purchase 25-50 pound bags of sand for just a few dollars each. … Continue reading →