What Are Your Must-Haves for a Day at the Beach?

Do you keep it light and just take a towel and chair to the beach? Or do you bring such a heavy load that you're sweating before you even get onto the sand?

I used to carry a crazy amount of stuff to the beach. After all, I had little kids, and I didn't want to have to trudge back to the car or back home and interrupt our beach time by forgetting anything.

Back then I needed the wagon so that my baby boys wouldn't have to walk too far, and to carry all of their sand toys like shovels and pails. Then there was a giant beach bag swung over my shoulder containing swimmy diapers and floaties for their arms, towels, sunscreen and so much more.

A few years after that we graduated to a beach cart, still lugging all of those sand toys and chairs, etc.

I used to always bring a giant beach umbrella, too, but have given up on that. Although I love having the option of shade, I can never get the dang thing to STAY. No matter how deep I dig a hole in the sand, the umbrella either wobbles the whole time, gets sucked up in the wind and flown into the ocean, or turns inside-out because of a gust.

And now that the boys are older, there are boogie or surf boards to bring, and the cooler is heavier, filled with cold drinks and sandwiches/snacks for whatever friends are gathered round.

And our newest addition...

...the tent. I have seen some of these monstrosities on the beach. I never thought I'd be among the ones setting up such a thing, but my sister just surprised us with one. And I like it! It's a better option than the umbrella for shade, and it 'frames' your view of the ocean and gives you a whole new perspective! You can get a little privacy inside from the tourists, and you can keep the 'windows' open or shut depending on how much light or breeze you want inside.

Of course, at my short height, I must look totally ridiculous trying to set it up, because it has to be pulled up from the top. So I'm just hoping that the boys get taller than me soon and then THEY can do it!

What are your must-have's for a day at the beach?