Sandbox

When our bathroom renovation was beginning back in February, our contractor told us he'd just finished doing a job for a family that didn't need their sandbox anymore.  He asked if CC might want it.  I said sure, thinking we could always toss it if we decided not to use it.

Much to my surprise, a few days later he unloaded a brand-new-looking sandbox complete with lid and four corner seats.  It is much nicer looking than I would have guessed.  (For anyone wondering, it's the Step 2 Naturally Playful Sandbox.)

Regardless, it sat in the corner of our yard, collecting rainwater that quickly turned green and scummy, and I despaired that we would ever bother cleaning it out and using it.

Kudos to MJ, who got the ball rolling this morning.  He dumped out the scummy water, scrubbed out the sandbox and lid, and then we headed to Home Depot for some sand while the box dried in the sun. 

About an hour later, CC's sandbox was complete.  And she loves it!  She dug her toes right in and seemed fascinated by the way it felt in her hands and on her feet.  There was one brief sand-eating incident, but CC seemed to realize pretty quickly that sand doesn't taste good, and didn't try again.

Coincidentally, MJ's brother and his family gave CC some sand toys for her birthday as part of a complete "beach package," so she has a bucket, scoops, and cups to use with the new attraction.

Unfortunately it's a pain to clean all the sand off of her afterwards.  Today I ended up hosing her down -- literally -- which fortunately she didn't mind.  But I told MJ that she will definitely need a bath whenever she plays in the sandbox!