Category Archives: outdoors

Camping: Part 1

You never know how something is going to go until you try it, right? As with anything, we knew camping could go either way with two small kiddos and the uncertainty of weather and a lack of routine (lack of sleep especially). While it wasn’t the most relaxing weekend away, overall the kids had a good time, and so did we. There were the frustrations of bugs, of course, and poor Enzo may have gotten bit even more than I did, which led to a trip to the store for some antihistamines. Thankfully the bites didn’t seem to bug him too much, though.

Setting up camp went fairly smoothly since both kids were finishing up a nap in the van. Once they did wake up, though, the process slowed down a lot as things often do with kids. We had kind of planned on a slow afternoon with more activities for the next day, but did take the kids for a walk by the river so that Josh and Enzo could try their hand at some fishing. We stuck with easy food and readied ourselves for some cranky kids as they got tired, but had no blackout curtains to help them fall asleep. Judge if you want to, but the portable DVD player was kind of a lifesaver because we were able to get them to lay down and kind of relax once we were done reading books. Josh and I were also exhausted, and I think we all fell asleep as soon as it got dark enough. Bliss.

Morning came all too quickly, and the kids were up with the sun, but that’s actually later then they typically get up, so it was nice. It was surprisingly chilly, so we got everyone bundled up and while Josh made a fire and I attempted to prepare some breakfast we wrapped the kids up and let them use the Kindles to do some coloring.

While I don’t want to always bring along electronics, they were really helpful at keeping the kids occupied so they could sit close to the fire and I didn’t have to worry about them too much (Miss Graceful especially). Poor kiddos were too cold and Phoebe just wanted to be held, so the Kindle helped free up our arms so we could tend to more important things. Once the sun started peeking through the trees and we all had food in our bellies, the kids perked up and we knew it would be a good idea to get our day started before the kids got too antsy.

We knew we could only spend so much time hanging around the campsite and exploring the river, so we had already decided in advance to take the kids out for some fun riding some rides and hopefully getting them nice and tired out. So, off we went to Paul Bunyan Land! To be continued… after some coffee. 😉

The F Word (no, not that one).

We’ve reached that point in the year where there is no denying that fall is just around the corner and I am doing everything in my power to hold onto summer. I’m avoiding fall because of what it inevitably becomes and I simply can’t think about that right now. Granted, I wish stores would hold off when it comes to putting out Halloween and Thanksgiving items and it is way too early for pumpkin beverages. I refuse to rush through the last days of summer.

So, from here on out we’re going to get good use out of our shorts and short-sleeved shirts and hit up the zoo as many times as we can, the arboretum, and pretty much anyplace that is outside and more enjoyable in sunshine. I even signed up Josh and I for a Grape Stomp at a local winery. I channeled my inner Lucy years ago working very briefly at a chocolate factory, but this should be a bit more fun.

We also want to try and fit in some kind of end-of-summer gathering, but we need to do a little planning and the house needs some organizing before we invite people into our chaos as we’ve moved things around since the last time we had a large group over. One day we’ll finish our various projects and I won’t stare at the basement wondering what on earth needs to be done to make it more functional and the landscaping won’t obnoxiously taunt me every time I pull up.

Oh well, one day at a time. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with too many projects, so I’m trying to work on the ones that feel the most important. They don’t always have the biggest impact, but I’m trying to focus on what will make me feel the most joy. I’m preparing for a major house decluttering, so I suppose Josh and the kids had better get ready too. Like so many others I’m reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up and I’m getting kind of excited (also really nervous) about getting rid of a ton of things and simplifying.

What do all of these random thoughts have to do with zoo pictures? Not much at all. We finally went to see the monk seals a little while ago, and are due back for another visit. I think I’m okay with putting off de-cluttering a little while longer while we make the most of the nice temperatures. Maybe we can give the carousel another whirl since Phoebe really wants to like it, but gets a little freaked out every time.

Instead, they wanted to spend the entire time at the new play area. I mean, who goes to a zoo to see animals? Not these two! Give us all the slides!

Lazy day at the beach

Not counting California, we’ve only gone swimming once this summer… several weeks ago. Not quite as often as I had originally planned, but what can I say? Neither Josh or I are very big swimmers, even though we do like the water. The kids are still getting plenty of water exposure, though, and are enjoying water days more and more. They do love sand, however, and that’s one thing we don’t have at home so we should probably try and take them to the beach at least once more before the summer ends.

Enzo’s an old pro at this point when it comes to wet sand and building castles, but Phoebe was a tad reluctant for me to even put her down. After a little coaxing (and once she saw Enzo digging in) she decided she was ready to get down, but she absolutely did not want to get her feet wet. Ha ha. That meant she also did not want me going in the water with Enzo, but he was having such a good time splashing in the water and didn’t even panic when he fell and got water in his face.

Eventually they both got more brave and Enzo decided he wanted to go further out than usual while Phoebe finally figured out that a little water between your toes isn’t such a bad thing. She didn’t necessarily want to go in the water, but before I knew it I was fetching her bucket after bucket of water so that she could dump it on herself. It was a nice victory. It’s funny how they surprise me in random ways almost every day.

Must do everything!

Camping was… interesting. Ha ha. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible either. Let’s just say that Baby Girl isn’t a big fan of it yet. That being said, at least it was another summer activity that we were able to cross off of our (non-existent) list. I know Summer isn’t over yet, but now that we’ve hit August and the temperatures are getting nicer, it’s apparent that there’s still so much I want to do before Fall hits.

While we never did get the kids in swimming lessons, they have started to actually enjoy water more and more this year, so perhaps this Winter we’ll see about finally getting them swimming so they’re ready for even more fun next Summer.

At the beginning of Summer Phoebe wanted nothing with water and was pretty unhappy during the first water day at day care. While she still prefers to stay on the sidelines and splash with her feet, she’s now at a point where she’ll gladly get in a kiddie pool and splash around on her stomach – if the water is warm enough. If the water is too cool she isn’t a fan, even if it’s 90 degrees out and feels awesome. She might run through a sprinkler, but that’s hit or miss if the water temperature isn’t what her ladyship likes.

Enzo has also gotten much braver this year. It helped when he got to watch his Colorado cousins run through the sprinkler and splash around, and slowly he’s getting more and more into it. He still doesn’t like to get his face wet at all (not even in the bath), but we’re working on it. I’m just thrilled he’s been much more willing to try new things and has discovered how fun it can be. It also helps that there is the whole “Monkey See-Monkey Do” aspect of siblings – if one of them does something then the other obviously has to as well.

Also… why do these little pools always look so much bigger on the box?? I guess we’ll have to get a bigger one next year. It was slim pickings when I found this one.

See you later, July!

I feel like this week has been a blur… a busy, semi-stressful, hectic, and slightly “off” week. Maybe it’s the weather or something in the air, but I’m hoping to just unwind this weekend, breathe some air and decompress. These pictures have nothing to do with anything unless you consider how easily a cat is able to just relax and simply not care about anything. Ah, such a life.

Tomorrow we are taking a very excited preschooler and his completely oblivious sister camping. Enzo has been talking about it for about a week or so now, so we’re going to stay somewhat close to the cities and hope that camping lives up to his expectations. I think the campground we’re at should have plenty of trails to walk and we’ve got a couple of ideas to hopefully run them ragged so they sleep.

Based on previous experience I have stocked up on several methods to keep mosquitoes away, but worst case we do have the big tent we can play in… and even though I’m hoping to avoid electronics this weekend, if we’re trapped in a small space due to bugs I may just use them as a fall back. Fingers crossed we don’t get eaten alive and can actually introduce the kids to the wonders of roasted marshmallows around a campfire once the sun goes down. No childhood is complete without good camping memories.

Dino and Bunnies

Every day adventures