Camping. Seriously.

I don't camp. Ever. However I do consider myself somewhat outdoorsy. I just prefer to be outdoorsy and then go home, or to a hotel at the end of the outdoorsyness.

Nevertheless, when Eric approached me with a plan to spend one night at the girls camp and then to help with an Eagle project the next day, I acquiesced. I'm nice like that.

Getting ready to go. The sheer amount of equipment camping requires is mind boggling.



We left with the threat of monsoons and flash floods, but happily we ended up being blessed with gorgeous weather.

Sade enjoying a seat belt free ride:



Our first order of business was to pick a camp site.

 

Eric's first priority was to put up his Seahawks flag in honor of the game that evening:

Sade and I modeling our matching shirts:



There ended up being only 3 other families there, so it felt very private:



After setting up a bit, we headed over to the monkey bridge. It gets less and less scary every time I do it.

Pics:



More nature scenes:



After a while we headed back to the tents to get everything set up before dark. Eric somehow had the foresight to bring bug killer to spray our tent.



Back at the campsite we noticed that Sade was blessed with some awesome nighttime camping hair:



I'm including these next ones because she finds them hilarious. As do I:



She had been whining and complaining (surprise!), but as soon as she saw those pics, she couldn't stop herself from laughing.

Me and the girls:



Campfire lighting:



Followed by smores making and eating:



We had eaten dinner before we came. I told Eric that I struggle to make dinner with all the comforts of home, so making dinner in the mountains seemed a bit too monumental to me.

Soon it was time for bed. Jackson, Sadie and Eric all slept very well. Megan and I did not, but them's the breaks.

The next morning:



We stayed throughout the morning to help with an Eagle project. However around 1 there was a massive downpour and hail that forced us all to head home. Darn. And I say that sarcastically because I was not feeling well, had been no help with the project, and was ready to go home.

Until next time! Also said sarcastically.

First Day Of School - 2013

Oh first day of school. I am always so conflicted about you!

 This year was extra special since Miss Sade was starting Kindergarten, which means I am an empty nester having all 3 kids in school!

We had to wake up extra early to get everyone there for the earlier middle school drop off. All three were excited to go.






After we dropped Megan off, Jackson, Sadie and I had about a half an hour wait in the car for elementary school to start.




Finally it was time for the walk in! (I am most often a rule follower, but one rule I will not follow is not walking your kids into the school on the first day). Judge me if you will!



Jackson was very excited to meet up with Carson:



I hung out with Sade and my heart may have broke a tiny bit:



Especially when she walked into the school:



I then had breakfast with a few friends, only to return a scant 3 hours later to pick up Miss Kindergartner:





When asked about her first day Sadie responded with, "meh" and gave the hand signal for so, so. She reported that there was one boy who got in trouble A LOT, and that she cried during recess time. She also said they pretty much just learned the rules, colored, had recess, and carpet time. On the bright side she did say she made a new friend. Here's hoping for the best!

Then it was time for middle and elementary pick-up. As it always is, it was a nightmare! You just have to make it through the first week, and it does get better, but man it is a pain. It was softly raining when I picked up Megan, but it was a full downpour when I picked up Jackson. Happily it was still warm out, so while he was soaked, he didn't mind it:



Jackson's first day report:




He said his day was pretty good, and his teacher was pretty good too (he had such a great teacher last year, that he now holds new teachers to quite a high standard). He enjoyed having friends in his class, was disappointed recess was canceled because of the rain, only had 7 minutes for lunch (although his teacher did let them finish their lunches in class), and has requested that he be able to bring balls from home so they can play with them at recess.

Megan's report:





Megan reported that her day was great and was full of stories. She loved all of her teachers, has lots of friends in her classes and during her lunch period, learned to Double Dutch, and really just had a fabulous day.

Although they go at different times, I love having one year where they all get to go to school together.



Woo-Hoo for school!