Well y'all, the oil's here.  I haven't seen it first hand, mostly because I can't bear to, but also because I know the epic battle that would take place if I went to the beach but told Syd she couldn't touch anything.  Yes, I think anyone who's still letting their kids in the water needs a head check.  I've heard reports of 'Mommy - there's black stuff on my feet' answered with 'Well go back in the water and wash it off'.  Why don't you just offer them a towel dipped in dispersants, or better yet, just encourage them to slather the petrol like sunblock? SPF 150 with a side of carcinogen. (Forgive me, I'm a grossly uncomfortable pregnant woman taking my round ligament pain out on the internets.)

But that said, I promised I'd share the pictures that Sydney actually took herself of the beach. Rather than try to explain the gravity of what floated just offshore, I gave her a point-and-shoot camera with the instructions to take a picture of anything she thought was beautiful. What follows, to me, is equal parts amusing and beautiful... thanks for indulging me!

When I first gave her the camera inside, she said "I want to take a picture of the baby."  Nice.