Marie loved the beach. It was her favorite place in the entire world. It didn't matter which beach it was. She had visited many beaches in many places and she loved them all. What mattered to her was the sand between her toes, the sound of the waves crashing, and the wind blowing in her hair. Most of the time, thinking of the beach made her heart feel at peace, and it always made her smile.
beach - n.海滩；沙滩
favorite place - 最喜欢的地方
entire world - 整个世界
matter - v. 有重大关系；有重要性；要紧
sand - n. 沙子；沙地；沙滩
between - prep. 在……之间
toe - n. 脚趾
sound - n. 声音
waves crashing - 海浪拍击
wind blowing - 风在吹拂
heart - n. 内心；心脏
peace - n. 平静；和平
Now Marie has two young children, and she is pregnant with a third, which makes going to the beach much more difficult than it used to be. She used to just hop in the car and go whenever she pleased, but now it was not so easy! She still loved to be at the beach, but now she had to consider the kids' schedules, along with her own and her husband's, just to plan the trip. Then Marie and her husband had to get the kids ready to go, get themselves ready to go, and get everyone's luggage packed. Then they had to drive to the beach and the closest one was four hours away! Marie felt exhausted just thinking about it.
child - n. 孩子；儿童
pregnant - adj. 怀孕的
difficult - adj. 困难的；不随和的
hop in the car - exp. 跳上车
whenever - conj. 无论何时；每当
pleased - adj. 高兴的；喜欢的
not so easy - exp. 没那么简单；不太容易
consider - v. 考虑；认为
schedule - n. 时间表；计划表
husband's - 丈夫的
ready to go - exp. 准备出发
themselves - 他/她/它们自己
luggage packed - 收拾好行李
drive - v. 驾驶；驱动
closest - adj. 最近的
hour - n. 小时
exhausted - adj. 精疲力尽的；疲惫的
Spring break was coming up, and the kids would be off school for a week. She and her husband, John, decided that they would plan a trip to the beach and stay in a hotel for a couple of days. They had not been on vacation in years, and they needed to relax.
spring break - 春假[1]
off - prep. 离开；脱离
hotel - n.酒店；旅馆
couple - n.数个；一对
vacation - n.假期；休假
year - n.年
relax - v.放松；休息
"We're going to the beach for your spring break," John told the children.
"Yay!" the children cried.
"I want to build a great big sandcastle," said Trevor, the eldest, who was eight years old.
"I want to find a white seashell," said Kitty, the youngest, who was five years old.
"I want to drink a cocktail on the balcony," John said under his breath. Marie playfully slapped his arm and reminded him that he shouldn't say such things around the kids.
"I want to get a nice tan," Marie sighed.
sandcastle - n.沙子城堡
eldest - adj.最年长的
years old - ……岁（年龄）
seashell - n.贝壳
youngest - adj.最年幼的
five years old - 5岁
cocktail - n.鸡尾酒
balcony - n.阳台
playfully slapped - 开玩笑地拍打
remind - v.提醒
shouldn't - 不应该
tan - n.日晒后皮肤的黝黑色
sigh - v.叹气；叹息
They waited and waited, making plans and talking about how excited they were about going on vacation to the beach. They were staying for five whole days. It would be expensive for Marie and John because the hotel was not cheap, but they knew it would be worth it.
go on vacation - exp.去度假
expensive - adj.昂贵的
worth it - exp.值得的；有必要的
Spring break finally arrived. Marie woke the children up very early in the morning while it was still dark. She helped them get their suitcases and luggage into the car while John loaded hers and his own. Then, they started on the long drive to the beach.
arrive - v.抵达；到达
wake somebody up - exp.叫醒某人
suitcase - n.手提箱
load - v.装载
For the first hour the kids slept, Marie dozed, and John drove. It was still dark. The sky turned pale blue, then pale pink, then brilliant pink and orange as the sun rose. They stopped at a little cafe to get some breakfast and coffee. The kids ate pancakes, Marie had oatmeal and fruit, and John had an omelet. John and Marie got some coffee to go, then they piled back in the car and kept driving.
sleep - v.睡觉
doze - v.打瞌睡
drive - v.驾驶
brilliant - adj.闪亮的；灿烂的
rise - v.升起；增加
cafe - n.咖啡馆
pancake - n.薄煎饼[2]
oatmeal - n.燕麦粥
omelet - n.鸡蛋饼[3]
pile - n.挤；塞
"Mama, I'm bored," whined Trevor.
"Count all the red cars," suggested Marie.
"Mama, I'm bored too," said Kitty.
"Count all the white cars," suggested Marie.
"Mama, I'm bored too," John teased.
"Count all the miles between here and the beach," Marie laughed.
bored - adj.无聊的
whine - v.发牢骚；抱怨
suggest - v.建议；暗示
tease - v.戏弄；取笑
laugh -v.笑；嘲笑
As they drove, Marie thought about their third child, who was due to be born in a few weeks. She and John did not want to know whether the baby was a boy or a girl until the baby was born, so Marie had come up with many names she liked. She wondered if Trevor and Kitty would get along with the new baby. She wondered if she would ever fit into her old blue jeans again. She wondered if the child would like sports or if they would prefer indoor activities like reading. Kitty was an outdoor girl, while Trevor liked both but preferred things like video games and cooking with Mama. She wondered if John ever minded that she was a stay-at-home mom. Was he ever resentful that she quit her job to raise the kids? He always seemed grateful when he came home to a clean house full of happy children and a good home-cooked meal, so Marie tried not to worry too much.
due - adj. 到期的；预期的
born - v.出生
week - n.周；星期
whether - conj.不论；是否；是……还是
come up with - exp.想出
like - v.喜欢
wonder - v.不知道；怀疑；想知道
get along - exp.和睦相处；进展
fit - v.合身；合适
blue jeans - 蓝色牛仔裤
sport - n.运动
prefer - v.更喜欢；宁愿
indoor - adj.室内的
reading - n.阅读；朗读
outdoor - adj.室外的
video games - 电子游戏
cook - v.烹饪
mind - v.介意
stay-at-home mom - 全职妈妈
resentful - adj.不满的；厌恶的；怨恨的
raise the kids - exp.养育孩子
grateful - adj.感谢的；感激的
clean - adj.干净的
home-cooked - 家常的；家里做的
worry - v.担心；烦恼
"How many red cars have you counted?" Marie asked after a while.
"Eleventy-twelve," Trevor said confidently.
"Even I know that's not a real number!" cried Kitty."I counted five."
"There were more than five," Trevor insisted. "You're just saying that 'cause you're five years old."
count - v.数；计数
confidently - adv.自信地
number - n.数字
cry - v.喊叫；哭泣
insist - v.坚持；坚称
"Am not," Kitty protested, but secretly it was true. Five was her favorite number.
"Children, don't fight, please," Marie admonished. She could feel a headache coming on, and they still had a long way to ride. She fished in her bag for a couple of action figures and handed them to Kitty in the back seat. "Why don't you play with those? Give one to Trevor."
protest - v.抗议；抗拒
secretly - adv.秘密地；背地里
fight - v.吵架；打架；战斗
admonish - v.告诫；劝告
headache - n.头痛
fish - v.捞取；钓鱼
action figures - （会动的）公仔玩偶
The action figures kept the children occupied for a long time. They fell asleep again after that, and it was lunchtime when they arrived at the beach. Check-in at the hotel was not until 3:00PM, so they went to a sea food restaurant to eat lunch together. Marie ordered shrimp scampi, hoping it would not upset her stomach. The kids wanted fish sticks and french fries, while John opted for surf and turf.
occupy - v.占据；占领；使忙碌
lunchtime - n.午餐时间
Check-in - 办理入住手续；报道
hotel - m.酒店
seafood restaurant - 海鲜餐厅
shrimp scampi - 奶油蒜香明虾意面
hope - v.希望
upset one's stomach - exp.不喜欢吃
fish sticks - 炸鱼条
french fries - 炸薯条
opt - v.选择；做出抉择
surf and turf - 海鲜牛排套餐
Finally, it was time to check in to the hotel. The hotel lobby was spacious and airy with many potted plants and lots of sunshine. The weather was mild and all the windows were open. The lady at the desk smiled a lot. She had dark brown hair pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head and she wore bright red lipstick. Then they took their luggage to the room, which looked out over the oceanfront, and changed their clothes. There was still time to go to the beach!
Finally - adv.最后；终于
lobby - n.大厅；大堂
spacious - adj.宽敞的；广阔的
airy - adj.通风的；轻快的
potted plants - 盆栽植物
sunshine - n.阳光
mild - adj.温暖的；温和的
pull - v.拉；扯
tight bun - 紧紧的圆发髻
lipstick - n.口红；唇膏
oceanfront - n.海滨
"Wait, children, you need to put on sunscreen," Marie said as Trevor and Kitty ran for the door. "You don't want to get sunburned! John, you help Trevor and I'll help Kitty." Marie took her daughter's hand and began applying sunscreen to her hands, instructing her where and how to rub it in.
No one wanted to be at the beach more than Marie, but by the time the children were ready to go to the water she was exhausted!
sunscreen - n.防晒霜
sunburn - v.晒伤；晒黑
apply - v.涂抹；申请
instruct - v.指示；教导
exhausted - adj.疲惫的；精疲力尽的
"John, you all go ahead.I'm going to lay down for a while. I will catch up with you later."
Once everyone was gone, Marie sat on the edge of the bed in her pink bikini patting her tummy. She was excited for their third child, but this baby was wearing her out! She felt tired often these days. Her feet hurt, it was hard to eat because her appetite was irregular, and sometimes it was even hard to walk! She would be glad when this baby decided it was time to come out. For now, she would have to be content with taking a nap before she could enjoy the beach. Marie laid down and fell asleep almost immediately.
go ahead - 前进；进行
catch up with somebody - 赶上某人；抓住某人
wear one out - 让某人精疲力尽
appetite - n.食欲；嗜好
irregular - adj.不规则的；无规律的
content - adj.满足的
immediately - adv.立即；立刻
She woke an hour later, sat up with a little bit of a struggle and stretched. The sun was still out! She struggled to get to her feet too, but she made it. Marie looked at herself in the full-length mirror in the bathroom and smiled. Some women did not like how they looked while carrying a child, but Marie thought she looked perfect. She put her hair in a ponytail and made her way down to the beach.
struggle - n.挣扎；奋斗
stretch - v.伸展；拉伸
made it - v.达成；成功
full-length - adj.全身的；全长的
mirror - n.镜子
carry - v.搭载；运输
child - n.孩子
ponytail - n.马尾辫
John had rented an umbrella and the kids were playing with some new friends. Trevor was keen on making the best sandcastle on the beach and the other children had special buckets for making sandcastle shapes. Kitty was helping because she liked to do whatever Trevor was doing. John was sitting under the umbrella and watching the children, but when he saw Marie coming he stood up and took her hand and kissed her hello.
rent - v.租用
umbrella - n.伞；阳伞；雨伞
keen - adj.渴望的；热心的
bucket - n.桶
kiss one hello - exp.给某人见面吻
"How was your nap?" he asked.
"Really nice," she panted, out of breath from the short walk down to the beach. "I'll be happy to have energy again once the baby is born!"
Marie walked the rest of the way down the sand to the water. She inhaled deeply, relishing the sweet, salty breeze whipping her curly black hair around, and the tangy smell of coconut tanning oil someone was using nearby. She curled her toes in the wet sand and closed her eyes to listen to the waves crashing. Right as a wave broke and washed over her feet she felt the baby kick, her eyes opened and she laughed, pressing her palm to the spot on her tummy. Even though she was tired, Marie felt content as she stood with her feet in the surf, looking at the sunset, and hearing the waves crash and her children laughing behind her.
pant - v.气喘；喘息
energy - n.精力；能量
inhaled deeply - 深深吸气
relish - v.享受；期盼
sweet - adj.甜蜜的；甜的
salty breeze - 咸咸的微风
whip - v.搅动；抽打
curly - adj.蜷曲的
tangy - adj.扑鼻的；强烈的
coconut tanning oil - 椰子美黑油
curl - v.扭曲；蜷曲
waves crashing - 海浪拍击
wash - v.冲刷；洗涤
break - v.打破
kick - v.踢
press - v.按压
palm - n.手掌
surf - n.（冲到岸边的）海浪
hear - v.听
behind - prep.在后面；晚于
They came back to the beach right after breakfast the next day. Everyone put on lots of sun block and Marie took a little nap under their umbrella while John played Frisbee with the kids. They ate lunch on the beach: peanut butter sandwiches, cold water and cold apples from a cooler full of ice. Marie went swimming with Trevor, but Kitty wasn't allowed yet because she was too small. Kitty cried until John started hunting for seashells with her and then she forgot all about swimming. Marie and Trevor swam past the breakers, where it was easy to just float on the waves like a seagull. Trevor started a splash fight, which Marie won because she was the queen of splash fights!
breakfast - n.早餐
sunblock - n.防晒霜
Frisbee - n.飞盘；飞碟
peanut butter sandwich - 花生酱三明治
apple - n.苹果
cooler - n.冰箱；冷却器；散热器
ice - n.冰
swimming - n.游泳
isn't allowed - 不被允许
hunt - v.搜寻；打猎
forget - n.忘记；忽略
breakers - n.碎浪区[4]
float - v.漂浮
wave - n.波浪
seagull - n.海鸥
splash fight - 水仗
queen - n.女王；王后
After another sandwich and some rest, the whole family decided to go for a walk on the beach.Marie walked arm-in-arm with John as the kids ran ahead, shrieking and splashing each other and throwing fistfuls of sand until John told them to cut it out.
shriek - v.尖叫
splash - v.泼洒；飞溅
throw - v.扔；投掷
fistful - n.一把
sand - n.沙子；沙地
cut it out - 停止；闭嘴
About twenty minutes in to the walk, Marie's stomach started to feel strange. It felt tight and it was painful! She stopped walking and grabbed John's hand. "I think the baby is coming!" she gasped.
"Kids, follow me!" John said. He easily lifted Marie in his arms and began carrying her up the beach. "My wife is having a baby!" he announced to no one in particular.
minute - n.分钟
stomach - n.腹部；胃
strange - adj.奇怪的；陌生的
tight - adj.绷紧的
painful - adj.痛苦的；疼痛的
stopped walking - 停止走动
grab - v.攫取；捕获
gasp - v.气喘吁吁地说；喘息
easily lifted - 很轻松地举起
carry - v.运输；拌匀
having a baby - 生孩子
announce - v.宣布
particular - adj.特别的；独有的
"Our little sister is coming!" cried Kitty.
"Our little brother is coming!" cried Trevor.
"Can someone help us? We're about a mile away from our car! I have to get my wife to a hospital!" John cried.
"I'm parked close by, let me give you a ride," offered an older gentleman wearing a colorful Hawaiian shirt.
John considered him, then considered his wife, then nodded. "All right, thank you, yes, we'd be much obliged," he said. "Come on, children."
"Daddy we're not supposed to talk to strangers," Trevor reminded John dutifully. "And never, ever get in a stranger's car!"
mile - n.英里
hospital - n.医院
park - v.停车
ride - n.旅行；乘坐；搭乘
colorful Hawaiian shirt - 色彩丰富的夏威夷衬衫[5]
consider - v.考虑；思考
nod - v.点头
be much obliged - exp.不胜感激
stranger - n.陌生人
remind - v.提醒
dutifully - adv.尽职尽责地；忠诚地
"That's right," Kitty piped up.
"You're right, kids, this is a very unusual decision," John agreed. "But it's okay because Mommy and I are both here. It'll be okay. Just never do it by yourselves, okay?"
"Is Mommy going to have the baby in the car?" Kitty wondered aloud.
"Probably not," the man in the colorful shirt said to her. "What's your name, kid?"
“...Kitty,"she said shyly.
pipe up - 高声说话
unusual decision - 不同寻常的决定
agree - v.同意；赞成
by yourselves - 你们独自地
aloud - 大声地
Probably - adv.大概；或许
shyly - adv.害羞地
"Hiya Kitty, you can call me Charlie. And what's your name, fella?" he said to Trevor.
"Trevor," he said sullenly. "Why are you driving us to the hospital?"
"Well, my own wife was in a similar situation," Charlie explained. "We were on this very same beach in fact, over thirty years ago, when she started having our first child!"
"Was it a boy or a girl?" Kitty wanted to know.
"A boy," Charlie said. "We named him Samuel, but everyone calls him Sammy to this day."
They reached Charlie's car, which was an old green station wagon. John and Marie and Kitty got in the backseat while Trevor got to ride shotgun.
"Charlie, hurry!" John urged.
"I'm hurrying!" Charlie cried. "There's a lot of traffic today. Darn tourists..."
"Hey! We're tourists," Trevor reminded him.
Fella - n.小伙子
sullenly - adv.不高兴地；阴沉地
similar situation - 相似的情况
station wagon - 旅行车[6]
backseat - n.后排座
to ride shotgun - exp.坐在副驾驶位置；担任守卫；保驾护航
urge - v.催促
traffic - n.交通
Darn tourists - 讨厌的游客
Marie was clinging tightly to John the whole time. When they got to the hospital, she was in a lot of pain and could not walk at all. They rushed her in and John followed while Trevor and Kitty waited with Charlie. Charlie didn't mind waiting and keeping an eye on the kids. There were some puzzles and little toys for kids in the waiting room which kept Trevor and Kitty occupied for a while, but everyone was very excited about the new baby. Trevor kept running across the waiting room and asking the nurse if they could see their baby brother yet.
cling - v.依偎
keep an eye on - exp.照看；留意
puzzle - n.拼图游戏；智力游戏；谜题
toy - n.玩具
occupy - v.使忙碌；占据；占有
nurse - n.护士
"Or sister!" Kitty added every time.
It took a long, long time. Charlie got some snacks from the cafeteria because it was dinner time, and Trevor and Kitty got a kick out of eating chips and candy bars for dinner. The kids fell asleep not long after that, because it had been a long, exciting day!
Around midnight, the nurse woke them up and she led Charlie, Trevor, and Kitty through the hospital to the room where their mom was staying.
Marie looked very pale and very tired, but she could not stop smiling. The baby was in her arms, swaddled in a soft white blanket. "Children, come meet your new baby brother," Marie told them.
add - v.补充；增加
midnight - n.午夜
pale - adj.苍白的
tired - adj.疲倦的
swaddle - v.用襁褓包裹
blanket - n.毯子；毛毯
"I told you!" Trevor cried triumphantly. Kitty did not seem disappointed as she scurried over and hopped up on the bed beside her mother to look curiously at the red-faced infant.
"He's so cute," Kitty cooed.
"I'm going to teach him how to play video games," said Trevor.
"Charlie, I can't thank you enough for all your help today," said John. The men shook hands.
"It was my pleasure. You have a lovely family, John. I enjoyed my time with the kids! Reminds me of when I had little ones of my own."
"What's his name?" Kitty asked.
"His name is Charlie," Marie said with a grin.
"You're teasing me!" Charlie exclaimed.
"Not at all," Marie answered. "John wanted to call him Ernest if he was a boy, but I thought Charlie was a much better fit."
"That's mighty sweet of you, ma'am," Charlie said bashfully.
"If it weren't for you, Charlie might have been born in the sand!" John laughed. "In fact, we're calling his middle name Beach. Charlie Beach."
"That's a silly name," Kitty observed.
"Kitty is a silly name," Trevor observed.
"Oh, children," Marie sighed with a smile.
triumphantly - adv.洋洋得意地；耀武扬威地
disappointed - adj.失望的；沮丧的
scurry - v.急跑
hop - v.跳跃；蹦跳
curiously - adv.好奇地
infant - n.婴儿；幼儿
cute - adj.可爱的
coo - v.轻声地说
shake hands - 握手
pleasure - n.快乐；高兴
lovely family - 幸福的家庭
little one - exp.小家伙；孩子
tease - v.取笑；戏弄
answer - v.回答
fit - v.符合；适合
sweet of you - exp.你真好
bashfully - adv.羞怯地
middle name - 中间名
silly - adj.愚蠢的
observe - v.评论；观察；注意
Summary
Marie is a woman who just loves the beach, and in fact, it is her favorite place to be in the whole world. When Marie was late in her pregnancy with her third child, she worried that going to the beach would be too difficult a task when considering her two young children and how tired she was with her pregnancy. Despite Marie's fears, she and her husband set off to the beach on spring break for a five day vacation with their two children, Trevor, who was eight, and Kitty, who was only five.
After a very long drive, Marie and her family arrived at the beach. Marie was so exhausted that she took a nap while her husband John took the kids to the beach. The next day, Marie was able to spend much more time at the beach, and she had a wonderful time playing with her children.
After lunch, Marie suddenly went into labor and was rushed to the hospital by an altruistic local man named Charlie. After a long and arduous labor, Marie bore a son who she named—Charlie Beach!
词汇表：
beach - n.海滩；沙滩
favorite place - 最喜欢的地方
entire world - 整个世界
matter - v.有重大关系；有重要性；要紧
sand - n.沙子；沙地；沙滩
between - prep.在……之间
toe - n.脚趾
sound - n.声音
waves crashing - 海浪拍击
wind blowing - 风在吹拂
heart - n.内心；心脏
peace - n.平静；和平
child - n.孩子；儿童
pregnant - adj.怀孕的
difficult - adj.困难的；不随和的
hop in the car - exp.跳上车
whenever - conj.无论何时；每当
pleased - adj.高兴的；喜欢的
not so easy - exp.没那么简单；不太容易
consider - v.考虑；认为
schedule - n.时间表；计划表
husband's - 丈夫的
ready to go - exp.准备出发
themselves - 他/她/它们自己
luggage packed - 收拾好行李
drive - v.驾驶；驱动
closest - adj.最近的
hour - n.小时
exhausted - adj.精疲力尽的；疲惫的
spring break - 春假
off - prep.离开；脱离
hotel - n.酒店；旅馆
couple - n.数个；一对
vacation - n.假期；休假
year - n.年
relax - v.放松；休息
sandcastle - n.沙子城堡
eldest - adj.最年长的
years old - ……岁（年龄）
seashell - n.贝壳
youngest - adj.最年幼的
five years old - 5岁
cocktail - n.鸡尾酒
balcony - n.阳台
playfully slapped - 开玩笑地拍打
remind - v.提醒
shouldn't - 不应该
tan - n.日晒后皮肤的黝黑色
sigh - v.叹气；叹息
going on vacation - exp.去度假
expensive - adj.昂贵的
worth it - exp.值得的；有必要的
arrive - v.抵达；到达
wake somebody up - exp.叫醒某人
suitcase - n.手提箱
load - v.装载
sleep - v.睡觉
doze - v.打瞌睡
drive - v.驾驶
brilliant - adj.闪亮的；灿烂的
rise - v.升起；增加
cafe - n.咖啡馆
pancake - n.薄煎饼
oatmeal - n.燕麦粥
omelet - n.鸡蛋饼
pile - n.挤；塞
bored - adj.无聊的
whine - v.发牢骚；抱怨
suggest - v.建议；暗示
tease - v.戏弄；取笑
laugh -v.笑；嘲笑
due - adj.到期的；预期的
born - v.出生
week - n.周；星期
whether - conj.不论；是否；是……还是
come up with - exp.想出
like - v.喜欢
wonder - v.不知道；怀疑；想知道
get along - exp.和睦相处；进展
fit - v.合身；合适
blue jeans - 蓝色牛仔裤
sport - n.运动
prefer - v.更喜欢；宁愿
indoor - adj.室内的
reading - n.阅读；朗读
outdoor - adj.室外的
video games - 电子游戏
cook - v.烹饪
mind - v.介意
stay-at-home mom - 全职妈妈
resentful - adj.不满的；厌恶的；怨恨的
raise the kids - exp.养育孩子
grateful - adj.感谢的；感激的
clean - adj.干净的
home-cooked - 家常的；家里做的
worry - v.担心；烦恼
count - v.数；计数
confidently - adv.自信地
number - n.数字
cry - v.喊叫；哭泣
insist - v.坚持；坚称
protest - v.抗议；抗拒
secretly - adv.秘密地；背地里
fight - v.吵架；打架；战斗
admonish - v.告诫；劝告
headache - n.头痛
fish - v.捞取；钓鱼
action figures - （会动的）公仔玩偶
occupy - v.占据；占领；使忙碌
lunchtime - n.午餐时间
Check-in - 办理入住手续；报道
hotel - m.酒店
seafood restaurant - 海鲜餐厅
shrimp scampi - 奶油蒜香明虾意面
hope - v.希望
upset one's stomach - exp.不喜欢吃
fish sticks - 炸鱼条
french fries - 炸薯条
opt - v.选择；做出抉择
surf and turf - 海鲜牛排套餐
Finally - adv.最后；终于
lobby - n.大厅；大堂
spacious - adj.宽敞的；广阔的
airy - adj.通风的；轻快的
potted plants - 盆栽植物
sunshine - n.阳光
mild - adj.温暖的；温和的
pull - v.拉；扯
tight bun - 紧紧的圆发髻
lipstick - n.口红；唇膏
oceanfront - n.海滨
sunscreen - n.防晒霜
sunburn - v.晒伤；晒黑
apply - v.涂抹；申请
instruct - v.指示；教导
exhausted - adj.配备的；精疲力尽的
go ahead - 前进；进行
catch up with somebody - 赶上某人；抓住某人
wear one out - 让某人精疲力尽
appetite - n.食欲；嗜好
irregular - adj.不规则的；无规律的
content - adj.满足的
immediately - adv.立即；立刻
struggle - n.挣扎；奋斗
stretch - v.伸展；拉伸
made it - v.达成；成功
full-length - adj.全身的；全长的
mirror - n.镜子
carry - v.搭载；运输
child - n.孩子
ponytail - n.马尾辫
pant - v.气喘；喘息
energy - n.精力；能量
inhaled deeply - 深深吸气
relish - v.享受；期盼
sweet - adj.甜蜜的；甜的
salty breeze - 咸咸的微风
whip - v.搅动；抽打
curly - adj.蜷曲的
tangy - adj.扑鼻的；强烈的
coconut tanning oil - 椰子美黑油
curl - v.扭曲；蜷曲
waves crashing - 海浪拍击
wash - v.冲刷；洗涤
break - v.打破
kick - v.踢
press - v.按压
palm - n.手掌
surf - n.（冲到岸边的）海浪
hear - v.听
behind - prep.在后面；晚于
breakfast - n.早餐
sunblock - n.防晒霜
Frisbee - n.飞盘；飞碟
peanut butter sandwich - 花生酱三明治
apple - n.苹果
cooler - n.冰箱；冷却器；散热器
ice - n.冰
swimming - n.游泳
isn't allowed - 不被允许
hunt - v.搜寻；打猎
forget - n.忘记；忽略
breakers - n.碎浪区
float - v.漂浮
wave - n.波浪
seagull - n.海鸥
splash fight - 水仗
queen - n.女王；王后
shriek - v.尖叫
splash - v.泼洒；飞溅
throw - v.扔；投掷
fistful - n.一把
sand - n.沙子；沙地
cut it out - 停止；闭嘴
minute - n.分钟
stomach - n.腹部；胃
strange - adj.奇怪的；陌生的
tight - adj.绷紧的
painful - adj.痛苦的；疼痛的
stopped walking - 停止走动
grab - v.攫取；捕获
gasp - v.气喘吁吁地说；喘息
easily lifted - 很轻松地举起
carry - v.运输；拌匀
having a baby - 生孩子
announce - v.宣布
particular - adj.特别的；独有的
mile - n.英里
hospital - n.医院
park - v.停车
ride - n.旅行；乘坐；搭乘
colorful Hawaiian shirt - 色彩丰富的夏威夷衬衫
consider - v.考虑；思考
nod - v.点头
be much obliged - exp.不胜感激
stranger - n.陌生人
remind - v.提醒
dutifully - adv.尽职尽责地；忠诚地
pipe up - 高声说话
unusual decision - 不同寻常的决定
agree - v.同意；赞成
by yourselves - 你们独自地
aloud - 大声地
Probably - adv.大概；或许
shyly - adv.害羞地
Fella - n.小伙子
sullenly - adv.不高兴地；阴沉地
similar situation - 相似的情况
station wagon - 旅行车
backseat - n.后排座
to ride shotgun - exp.坐在副驾驶位置；担任守卫；保驾护航
urge - v.催促
traffic - n.交通
Darn tourists - 讨厌的游客
add - v.补充；增加
midnight - n.午夜
pale - adj.苍白的
tired - adj.疲倦的
swaddle - v.用襁褓包裹
blanket - n.毯子；毛毯
triumphantly - adv.洋洋得意地；耀武扬威地
disappointed - adj.失望的；沮丧的
scurry - v.急跑
hop - v.跳跃；蹦跳
curiously - adv.好奇地
infant - n.婴儿；幼儿
cute - adj.可爱的
coo - v.轻声地说
shake hands - 握手
pleasure - n.快乐；高兴
lovely family - 幸福的家庭
little one - exp.小家伙；孩子
tease - v.取笑；戏弄
answer - v.回答
fit - v.符合；适合
sweet of you - exp.你真好
bashfully - adv.羞怯地
middle name - 中间名
silly - adj.愚蠢的
observe - v.评论；观察；注意
中文翻译
海滩之旅
玛丽超爱海滩，不论哪里的海滩她都爱，海滩大概是世界上她最爱的地方。她去过很多地方的许多海滩，每一处她都爱。对她来说，重要的是脚趾间的细沙、浪花拍打海岸的声音，以及吹拂着头发的清风。大部分时候，只要一想到海滩，她的内心就会感觉到宁静，而这总能让她会心一笑。
玛丽已经有两个小孩了，而且现在又怀着第三胎，因此，去海滩玩儿比以前要难得多。之前，只要来了兴致，不管什么时候，跳上车就出发，但是现在可没那么简单了！她仍然喜欢去沙滩，但现在计划行程的时候，不仅要考虑自己和老公的日程安排，还要顾及到孩子们的时间表。然后，玛丽和老公要帮孩子们做好出门准备，要收拾好自己，还要打包全家人的行李。之后才能开车去海滩，最近的海滩离他们有4小时的车程！单是想想这些繁琐的过程，玛丽就已经觉得精疲力尽了。
春假马上就要开始了，孩子们会有一周的假期。玛丽和她老公约翰决定来一场海滩之旅，并在酒店里住几天。他们已经好几年没有度过假了，需要放松一下。
“你们放春假的时候咱们去海滩玩儿。”约翰告诉孩子们。
“太棒了！”孩子们欢呼道。
“我要造一座漂亮的大大的沙子城堡。”特雷弗说道。特雷弗是家里最大的孩子，今年8岁。
“我想捡一个白色的贝壳。”凯蒂说道。凯蒂是妹妹，今年5岁。
“我想在阳台上喝鸡尾酒。”约翰压低声音说。玛丽开玩笑地拍了拍约翰的手臂，提醒他不该在孩子面前说这些。
“我想好好晒晒太阳，美黑一下。”玛丽叹了口气。
就这样，他们等啊等啊，做着各种计划，谈论着去海滩度假的兴奋。他们会在那里待整整五天。对来玛丽和约翰来说，这场旅行会开销不小，因为酒店可不便宜，但他们知道这趟旅行肯定物有所值。
春假终于到了。一大早天还黑着，玛丽就把孩子们都叫起来了。她帮孩子们把他们的手提箱和行李都搬到车上，而约翰则负责搬他们夫妻俩的行李。然后，他们就开始这趟去海滩的长途之旅啦。
最初的几个小时，孩子们在睡觉，玛丽打着瞌睡，约翰在开车。天还黑着。后来，天空开始变成淡蓝色，然后变成淡粉色，之后变成亮粉色、橘黄色，最后太阳终于升起来了。他们在一个小咖啡馆前停下车，吃点早餐喝些咖啡。孩子们吃了薄煎饼，玛丽吃了燕麦粥和水果，约翰则吃了鸡蛋饼。约翰和玛丽又买了咖啡打包带走，然后他们挤回车里继续上路。
“妈妈，好无聊啊。”特雷弗抱怨道。
“不如数数路上有多少辆红色的车吧。”玛丽给他提了个建议。
“妈妈，我也无聊。”凯蒂跟着说。
“那你数数有多少辆白色的车。”玛丽这么建议她。
“妈妈，我也很无聊。”约翰打趣地说。
“你去数数从这里到海滩还有多少英里。”玛丽笑着回答。
约翰继续开着车，玛丽想到了她肚子里怀着的第三个孩子，几周之后就要出生了。玛丽和约翰不想在孩子出生前知道性别，所以她挑了很多她喜欢的名字。她不知道特雷弗和凯蒂能不能跟新宝宝好好相处。她不知道自己的身材能不能恢复到能穿上旧蓝色牛仔裤的样子。她不知道这个宝宝会喜欢运动，还是更爱室内活动，比如读书。凯蒂是个喜欢户外活动的姑娘，特雷弗则能静能动，但他更喜欢打电子游戏，或者跟妈妈一起做饭。她不知道约翰有没有介意过她当全职妈妈。对于她辞掉工作照看孩子的决定，他有没有不满？但是约翰每次回到家，看到干净整洁的屋子、开心的孩子们和香喷喷家常饭，他似乎都心怀感激，所以玛丽努力不去过分担心这些问题。
过了一会儿，玛丽问道：“你数了多少辆红车？”
“十一十十二辆！”特雷弗充满自信地回答。
“连我都知道你说的根本不是个数字！”凯蒂大叫道，“我数了五辆。”
“肯定不止五辆，”特雷弗一口咬定，“你说五辆只是因为你今年五岁。”
“才不是呢！”凯蒂反驳道。但其实，哥哥说的是事实，五是她最爱的数字。
“孩子们，请不要吵架。”玛丽劝说他们。她能感觉到头痛正在袭来，而他们还有很长的路要开。她从包里摸索出几个公仔玩偶，递给了后座的凯蒂。“要不你玩玩具吧？给特雷弗一个。”
两个孩子玩了好一会儿的玩偶。他俩玩累了之后就继续呼呼大睡了，到达海滩的时候差不多是午餐时间。酒店在下午3点之后才能办理入住手续，所以他们找了一间海鲜餐厅去吃午餐。玛丽点了一道奶油蒜香明虾意面，希望这能合她的胃口。孩子们要了炸鱼条和炸薯条，约翰则选择了海鲜牛排套餐。
终于到酒店入住的时间了。酒店大堂宽敞又通透，摆着很多盆栽植物，洒满了阳光。天气暖和，所有的窗户都开着。前台的女士一直在微笑。她的头发是深棕色的，在脑后挽成一个紧紧的发髻，涂着亮红色的口红。接着，他们把行李搬到了房间——可以俯瞰海滨的房间，然后换了衣服。今天还有时间去海滩呢！
“等等，孩子们，你们得先涂防晒霜。”特雷弗和凯蒂往门口跑的时候被玛丽叫住了，“你们不想被晒伤吧！约翰，你去帮特雷弗涂，我来帮凯蒂。”玛丽抓着女儿的手，开始往她手上涂防晒霜，同时教给她应该在什么地方涂抹，以及如何涂抹。
没有人比玛丽更渴望去沙滩了，但是等到帮孩子们准备停当可以下水的时候，玛丽已经累坏了！
“约翰，你们先去吧。我想躺会儿。过会儿我就去找你们。”
等其他人都出门了，玛丽穿着粉色比基尼坐在床边，轻轻拍着自己的肚子。她对第三个孩子的到来很兴奋，但这个宝宝真的让她精疲力尽了！最近几天她经常会觉得很累。她的脚很疼，她的胃口时好时坏，所以吃东西也很困难，而且有的时候甚至连走路都很难！宝宝出生的那天，她肯定会如释重负的。现在呢，在去海滩之前，能小睡一下，她就心满意足了。玛丽躺下来，几乎立刻就睡着了。
她睡了一个小时后，有点吃力地坐了起来，舒展了下身子。外面还是阳光明媚！站起来也很困难，但是她还是站起来了。玛丽走到卫生间，对着全身镜打量自己，微笑了起来。有些女性并不喜欢自己怀孕的样子，但是玛丽觉得自己看起来棒极了。她把头发扎成马尾，开始出发去海滩。
约翰租了一把遮阳伞，孩子们正在跟新朋友玩。特雷弗醉心于建造沙滩上最棒的沙子城堡，其他孩子有专用的桶，用来让沙子城堡成型。凯蒂也在一边帮忙，不管特雷弗干什么她都想一起参与。约翰坐在阳伞下看着孩子们，但当他看见玛丽走来的时候，马上站了起来，牵起她的手，给了她一个见面吻。
“睡得好么？”他问。
“非常好。”她气喘吁吁地说，走到海滩的这短短一段路就让她喘不过来气了，“我现在就盼着宝宝出生，然后我就能重新恢复活力了！”
玛丽继续往前走过沙滩，踏进海水里。她深深地吸了口气，享受着甜蜜又有些咸咸的海风吹散她黑色的卷发，也享受着身边人涂的椰子美黑油那强烈的味道。她在湿的沙子里弯曲着脚趾，闭上眼睛聆听着海浪的拍击声。当海浪打过来冲刷着她的脚的时候，她感觉到宝宝在肚子里踢她，她睁开眼笑了起来，用手掌轻压着腹部宝宝踢过的地方。虽然玛丽很累，但赤脚站在海浪里、看着日落，还能听着海浪声和身后孩子们的笑声，这一切都让她十分满足。
第二天一早，他们吃过早餐就直接去了海滩。所有人都涂了很多防晒霜，约翰和孩子们玩飞盘的时候，玛丽在阳伞下面小睡了一会儿。他们在沙滩上吃了午餐：花生酱三明治，以及装在满是冰的小冰箱里的冰水和冰镇苹果。玛丽和特雷弗下海去游泳了，但是凯蒂还小，不能加入他们。凯蒂便大哭起来，直到约翰开始跟她一起捡贝壳，她才把游泳的事儿抛到脑后。玛丽和特雷弗游过碎浪区——在这一区域很容易像海鸥一样浮在浪花上。特雷弗开始打起了水仗，结果玛丽大获全胜，因为她可是“打水仗女王”！
每个人又吃了一个三明治，休息片刻后，一家人决定在海滩上散散步。玛丽和约翰手挽着手走着，孩子们则飞快地冲到了前面，一边尖叫，一边向对方泼水、扔沙子，一直到约翰让他们停下来才作罢。
大概二十分钟后，玛丽突然觉得肚子不舒服——感觉绷得紧紧的而且很疼！她停住脚步，抓住了约翰的手：“我觉得宝宝要出生了！”她喘着粗气说。
“孩子们，跟着我！”约翰说。他轻松地把玛丽抱了起来。“我老婆马上就要生了！”他大声宣布着，但是根本不知道在跟谁说话。
“我们的小妹妹要出生了！”凯蒂喊道。
“我们的小弟弟要出生了！”特雷弗喊道。
“有人能帮帮我们么？我们的车停在一英里外！我得带我老婆去医院！”约翰喊道。
“我的车就停在附近，我带你们去。”一个穿着花花绿绿的夏威夷衬衫的年长男士说。
约翰打量了他一下，又考虑了一下老婆的情况，然后点了点头。“好的，谢谢您，感激不尽。”他说，“孩子们，快过来。”
“老爸，我们不应该跟陌生人说话，”特雷弗尽职尽责地提醒约翰，“而且永远不能上陌生人的车！”
“没错儿。”凯蒂大声附和。
“你们说的对，孩子们，这确实是个很特别的决定。”约翰对他们表示赞同，“但是没关系的，因为妈咪和我都在这儿呢。没事的。不过没有家长在的时候你们不能这样做，明白吗？”
“妈咪要在车里生宝宝吗？”凯蒂又大声问道。
“应该不会。”穿花衬衫的男人对她说，“你叫什么，孩子？”
“……凯蒂。”她害羞地回答。
“你好啊凯蒂，我叫查理。你叫什么名字，小伙子？”他又问特雷弗。
“特雷弗。”他愤愤地说，“你干嘛这么好心要送我们去医院？”
“这个嘛，我老婆也遇到过类似的情况。”查理解释说，“事实上当时也是在这个海滩，已经是三十年前的事儿了，那时候她正怀着我们的第一个孩子！”
“是个男孩儿还是女孩儿呀？”凯蒂很好奇。
“男孩儿。”查理说，“我们给他起名叫塞缪尔，但是一直到现在所有人都喊他塞米。”
他们走到了查理的车旁，那是一辆老式的绿色旅行车。约翰、玛丽和凯蒂坐在后排，特雷弗则坐在副驾上。
“查理，快点儿！”约翰催促道。
“嘿！我们就是游客。”特雷弗提醒他。
“已经很快了！”查理大声回答，“今天路上车太多了。讨厌的游客……”
一路上玛丽都紧紧依偎着约翰。到医院的时候，她疼得太厉害，已经不能走路了。医护人员匆忙把她推进产室，约翰紧跟在后，特雷弗和凯蒂则跟查理一起等着。查理不介意一边帮着照看孩子们一边等他们。等候室里有一些拼图和小玩具，这让特雷弗和凯蒂玩了一阵儿，但每个人都对宝宝的降生感到激动。特雷弗时不时地跑过等候室，问护士现在能不能去看他们的小弟弟。
“也许是小妹妹！”凯蒂每次都这么补充一句。
就这样，过了很长很长时间。到晚餐时间时，查理从自助餐厅拿了一些零食，对于能用薯片和糖果当晚餐，特雷弗和凯蒂感到非常高兴。不久之后孩子们就睡着了，因为这一天实在是漫长又刺激！
大约午夜时分，护士叫醒了他们，带着查理、特雷弗和凯蒂穿过医院，来到他们妈妈所在的病房。
玛丽看起来苍白又疲惫，但是脸上一直挂着微笑。小宝宝躺在她怀里，身上包着一块软软的白毯子。“孩子们，来看看你们的小弟弟吧。”玛丽告诉他们。
“我就说吧！”特雷弗洋洋得意地喊道。但是凯蒂看起来一点儿也不失望，她急忙跑过去，跳到床上坐在妈妈旁边，好奇地看着这个红脸蛋儿的小婴儿。
“他太可爱了。”凯蒂轻声说。
“我要教他打电子游戏。”特雷弗说。
“查理，你今天的帮助我们实在是太感激了。”约翰说。两个男人握了握手。
“别客气。你有一个幸福的家庭，约翰。我也很喜欢跟孩子们在一起！这好像让我回到了自己孩子小时候。”
“给他起什么名字？”凯蒂问。
“他叫查理。”玛丽微笑着说。
“你在开玩笑吧！”查理惊呼。
“没开玩笑。”玛丽回答，“本来约翰说如果是男孩子的话就叫欧尼斯特，但是现在我觉得查理更合适。”
“您真是太贴心了，夫人。”查理有些害羞了。
“要不是有你在，小查理可能就要生在沙滩上了！”约翰笑道，“实际上，我们给他起的中间名就是比奇，查理·比奇。”
“这个名字太傻了。”这是凯蒂评价说。
“凯蒂这个名字也很傻。”这是特雷弗的评价。
“你们呀……”玛丽微笑着叹了口气。
小结
玛丽是个热爱海滩的姑娘，事实上，海滩是她在这世界上最爱的地方。当她怀着第三个宝宝的时候，到了怀孕后期，一想到自己身怀六甲，家里还有两个年幼的孩子，她就觉得去海滩玩实在是太困难了。但是尽管如此，她和老公还是决定春假的时候带着孩子们——八岁的特雷弗和五岁的凯蒂——来一场五天的海滩之旅。
经过漫长的旅途，玛丽一家人终于抵达了海滩。老公约翰先带着孩子们去沙滩玩，而玛丽则需要小睡一会儿，她已经精疲力尽了。第二天，玛丽精神好了很多，可以在海滩多待些时候，并且跟孩子们度过了愉快的亲子游戏时光。
午餐后，玛丽突然开始阵痛，一位好心的当地居民——查理——紧急把他们送到了医院。经过了很长时间的痛苦分娩，玛丽生下了一个儿子，叫做查理·比奇！
注释
[1]春假：欧美学校一般在三月份会放春假，时间多为7—10天。
[2]薄煎饼：用牛奶、鸡蛋、面粉、糖等制成面糊后煎成的薄饼。
[3]鸡蛋饼：西式早餐，先把蛋液煎至凝固，然后加入火腿、番茄、洋葱、芝士等馅料，对折卷起即可。
[4]碎浪区：海浪离开吹风起浪的区域，在接近岸边时，海浪底部与海底摩擦，速度降低，但水面上的浪花仍然快速前进，导致波浪越来越陡，最终破碎，这一区域被称为碎浪区，冲浪等水上活动多在此区域进行。
[5]夏威夷衬衫：一种短袖衬衫，多印有丰富的图案，色彩鲜艳，适合热天穿着。
[6]旅行车：一种两箱的轿车，与普通轿车相比后备箱的空间更大，适宜家庭出行。