Basecamp

This was a new kind of trip for us in more than just the first time traveling in a pandemic. It was the first time we were just staying at one place for the full week. No packing and repacking and driving between states and fitting in as many stops as possible. One stop! 

We got to claim my sister's "tiny cabin" as our basecamp. The kids had the first floor and Brian and I got the loft. It was fun to have our own space and we felt completely pampered and spoiled. Between my dad & Kathy's cabin and my sister's they took care of our every need. Meals, snacks, drinks, dessert- the resort life extended beyond just the water activities!

The weather was absolutely perfect every day. Sunny, but not too hot, not too cold, not too windy. We ate every single meal: breakfast, lunch and dinner outside every day. The hardest part of the day was deciding which cabin and lake to make our camp for the day. Not true, that was already pre-decided, the hardest part was getting the fire started at night. Somehow we managed. 

Some pictures from Basecamp at my sister's. Not too bad a place to call home for a week.

First Stop

 After landing in Minneapolis our first stop was to see Dennis & Carrie and allow the cousins to get some quality play time in. It was a perfect afternoon and the kids were great. Etta is a natural hostess and entertainer and jumped right into playing with our kids. Ellis reminded me of Addy in that she was more cautious and skeptical and you had to earn her trust and smiles. Addy was smitten and followed her everywhere she went (even if she didn't want her to). It was so fun to catch up and see the kids together and we were lucky enough to get some great photos. 

BEST.WEEK.EVER.

 Disclaimer: this needs to be a no judgment post. I understand we are in the middle of a pandemic. I take the warnings seriously. I understand there are many unknowns ahead and everyone has a different comfort level with what is happening. So this post, and the next several (so much to tell!), are meant to help me remember just how incredibly special the last week was. 

The long story short version is that we decided to go back to the midwest and spend a week with my family and stay at my sister's cabin. In three words I would sum it up as the BEST!WEEK!EVER!

We decided to fly instead of the original road trip plan and it was very smooth. As Cameron likes to say "3 hours is way better than 3 days!" He is right! The airport and planes were not crowded, everyone was extra kind and it felt very safe and clean. For the next 7 days we were spoiled by everyone we saw, by picture perfect weather and felt the joy and relaxation that only comes with unwinding with the circle of people who love you most. 

I am not sure if it was the comparison to quarantine and COVID concerns that made it feel different but whatever it was it worked and it was one of the best weeks we've ever had. It felt normal. It felt like summer. It felt relaxing. My cup is full again. 

Summer Reading Champs

I know there are a lot of things I haven't done as well as I could have with my kids but there is one thing that I definitely got right. I've raised a couple of readers who love a good book. 

Our library is doing a Summer Reading Challenge with the goal of having kids read 20 hours over the summer to earn a free book. Both kids have already finished 40 hours and are working their way through their 3rd sheet.

Today Brian and I were making dinner and the house was silent.  I went upstairs and each kid was reading a book. We went to the library and Addy finished a new book the same day she got it, and she made her way through all of the Chronicles of Narnia books. Cameron looks forward to reading time every night and is making his way through every Roald Dahl book.  We've started a new Covid tradition of family reading time where we all just sit on the couch and read our own books.

It brings me joy to see that reading brings my kids joy. It is a gift that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. I know I've needed to escape into my books to survive this world right now, and I'm happy to see they are able to do the same. 

My Kids the Truth Tellers

While it's not as frequent as when they were toddlers, the kids still often have the perfect response or quote that makes me laugh so hard. One of the best things I've heard Addy say was back in May when we were still adjusting to the new normal of quarantine, remote learning and 24 hour/day family time. Addy was having a rough day and was pretty upset. When I asked her if there was anything I could do to help or if she could explain what was wrong she just sighed and spoke her truth, "I am just SO SICK of you guys. All of you, I'm just sick of being with you all the time." I couldn't say I blamed her since we had pretty much been together non-stop for about 2.5 months at that point. She had a strong point. 

Then just this past week I was telling Brian (in front of both kids) just how proud I was of Addy because while Brian was gone she surprised me by starting to fold clothes in the laundry basket completely unprompted. I was gushing to Brian how impressed I was to walk into her room and see her with piles of folded clothes around her, something she had never done before. I mentioned that maybe this something the kids could start doing more regularly. Then I heard Cameron whisper (or rather attempt to whisper since he really isn't capable of it) to Addy, "You really shouldn't have done that, Addy. That was a bad idea." Funny that neither child has done it since. 

Happy 4th!

Over the 4th of July while Brian was driving back to Casper WY, the kids and I had a unexpectedly full and super fun day. We were invited to a bike parade a few streets away. The neighbors on that street block it off every year so the kids can do a parade and they still did it this year. Addy & Cam got decked out in their red, white and blue attire and decorated their bikes. A bunch of neighborhood kids were there and it was super fun. We also went to the school and played kickball with a few families from the neighborhood. We went back to the same street that evening to watch some fireworks and the kids loved it. It was a great start to the unofficial beginning of summer. 

First Camping of the Season

On Father's Day, Brian and the kids ventured out for their first camping trip of the season. We got a last minute invite from some friends, but it was Sunday-Tuesday and I wasn't able to make it. Brian took on the most challenging task of them all and headed out with 2 kids, a canoe, 3 bikes, and all the camping gear SOLO. I have never seen the car so full in my life. I was teasing him that even if I could have joined there would not have been room for me because my seat was packed to the roof!

They had a great time! The site was 3 hours east so it was HOT. They brought the canoe because the campground was right next to a giant reservoir. There were 2 other families there so the kids got to hang out with other kids, which in our current environment was the most exciting part! 

They came back looking exhausted, sunburned and covered in dirt and bug bites- all signs of a successful camping trip! These pictures are additional proof that summer has started!