During the “summer” vacation from school, we spent a little time at the beach and loved it even though it is the coldest and cloudiest time of year for us. We planned to do nothing for a few days – just sit and relax. In reality, we were busy and active but with a different rhythm. Swimming, running, volleyball, fishing, crab-hunting, and building in the sand were just a few of the beach activities. There were also lots of board games, conversations, shared meals, and long walks. The tropical rain forest also provided plenty of bird-watching and monkey-watching and the boys saw a sloth when they went a little inland. Despite some bad jellyfish stings, we all enjoyed the time in nature and away from the city. A change of pace and scenery provided a necessary refreshment and renewal.