Page 57 of Schooling Little Sage

“Me too. Let’s take another picture in front of Willie the Whale,” Devon suggested.

Sage’s head bobbed away. “I hope they have a stuffy of him in the gift shop.”

“Me too, and a coloring book of the park. Oh, and stickers for our memory books.”

“Good call, Devon.”

Hearing their conversation had me mentally patting myself on the back for one of the Christmas gifts I’d had sent here for Sage. Thought ahead without really thinking ahead. Yeah, my brain was about done for the day.

With their lunch boxes emptied, we were off to refill their water bottles so round two could commence. Four and a half hours of park time and they were finally ready to hit the gift shop and head back to Devon’s.

“I’ll get you each a stuffie, stickers, and a coloring book.”

“Thanks, Daddy!” You’d swear they were twins with as many times as they answered as one.

Even knowing what they wanted, it took a good half hour for them to make their final decisions. I paid for what I said I’d get plus a set of magnets for our fridge. They each bought a matching shirt so they could be twinsies. Yeah, walked myself into that one even thinking the word twins.

“Boys, do you want to stop for food on the way home or have it delivered?”

Right on cue, “Delivered,” came from both.

If the sigh of relief I felt was audible, then so be it. This was one long day for this tired-ass Daddy.

“I can’t believe I’m going to a real beach today.”

Sage talked about finding seashells and rocks all through breakfast. I only hoped this well-used beach didn’t disappoint.

“You never know what you’ll find there.” Devon was no help.

Given it was Christmas Eve, the beach was thankfully empty. That, combined with the cold, was enough to keep other humans away. Sage had the run of it and that he did, giggling, picking up who knows what, but my boy was all smiles, and I managed to capture it in photos and a couple quick videos.

“Daddy, can I put my feet in the water?”

Cold be damned, I wasn’t denying him this first. “Yes, but let Daddy roll your pants up, and fair warning, it will be cold.”

He plopped down and plucked off his shoes and socks. I made quick work of rolling his jeans up then he took off for the surf. The second the water hit his feet he squealed and ran away.

“Okay, that’s enough. Now I can say I’ve been to the ocean. Brrr, Daddy.”

I chuckled. “I tried to warn you.”

“Look”—he dug around in his pocket—“I found a seashell, it’s broken though, and a couple pretty memory rocks.”

“Nice. Sit down and I’ll wipe your feet off so we can get your shoes back on.” Devon was still laughing his ass off.

“You screamed so loud, Sage.” When Sage stuck his tongue out at him, Devon giggled and added, “I got the whole thing on video.”

So did I, but I kept that tidbit to myself.

“Alright, boys, I think a lazy Christmas Eve at home is just what we need.” Just what this Daddy needed for sure.

Traffic was light; given the day, I was happy about that. I had a lot of wrapping to do tonight and stockings to hang while the boys were in bed. As soon as we stepped inside, they kicked off their shoes and headed straight for the playroom.

“Can I trust you boys to stay in here while Daddy helps Santa for a while?” Those eyes widened as did their grins.

“Yes, Daddy.”

Why wasn’t I buying this sweet act?