Campin'

We did it. We packed up what seemed like half the house and took 4 little kids (or 3 little kids and Caity) camping.

It. Was. Awesome.

And,

We. Are. Exhausted.

Daddy and Jacob playing with toys.

 

 

Family hike with our friends and fellow campers for the weekend, the Skitarelics. Seven kids and 4 adults. That's the way we do it.

Yes, we really take 4 kids camping in a tent. The judge in Russia was quite amused by this idea. Here's the proof:

 

I can't wait to do this next year when Jacob won't have the desire to put sand in his mouth at the beach and toss dirt in his hair at the campsite. Oh, I know there will be dirt in his hair next year too, it just wont be tossed there and rubbed in like shampoo as a sensory game... I hope.

It's amazing what 25 cents in the shower will do. Clean for at least 3 minutes.

 

 

The girls doin' their thing:

 

 



The boys doin' their thing:

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: some random stranger walked up to me, looked down at Drew and held out a fist full of tickets (for the rides) and said, "Here ya go." Fantastic! The kids were all so thrilled to be able to pick a ride.

Jacob, however, was not impressed by the California beach icon. Just a few too many sights, sounds, and people for his taste.

 

The next morning we had a bee incident. Jacob learned that if a yellow and black bug is crawling on your breakfast you should not pick it up and squeeze it. Mom and Dad learned that Jacob is not allergic to bee stings. And the bee learned that Jacob will defend his sausage to the death...

 



 

Jacob cried and was quite disturbed by the shock of the sting. But once I taped the penny to his thumb and settled the initial shock, he went right back to eating his breakfast. (The copper in the penny neutralizes the sting) You can see his little band aid on the right thumb. How could a bee steal breakfast from someone so cute?

Natural Bridges State Beach and tide pools, one of our favorite destinations:

Three nights and four glorious days of fun and adventure. I do so love camping. Even with little people.

4 almost 5

Drew is 4 years old! Last night as I tucked him into bed after his party he told me, "Now I'm almost 5, Mama!" Yeesh, gimme a minute to process 4, babe.

Drew started the day with our family tradition: donuts for breakfast. But within 5 minutes of finishing said donut Drew asked to go swimming. Yes sir, Birthday Boy!

It was HOT so our swim party was an excellent plan. Lots of friends, yummy food, and swimming.

 

To my boy: I thought you were my last. And because of that, you will always have a special place in my heart. You bring me joy. I soak up your love and affection each day and take great pride in watching you change and grow. I am trying my hardest to encourage you to grow and blossom even though I wish you could be my baby forever. Your sweet smile and beautiful eyes light up my days. I have loved watching you change this year as you've learned what it means to be a big brother. I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Happy Birthday to my first "last."

Summer fun

The kids are loving play dates and swim time every day.

Wild and crazy water fun.

Worry not, the Jacob-the-life-guard is on duty.

 

 

Plum Jam

I love plum jam. I have always wanted to make it myself. So when Brad came home from a side job with a bucket full of plums I thought I'd give it a try. It can't be that hard, right?

As I prepped my jars and pots and looked up a few online recipes I even thought this might make a fun fundraiser. Everyone loves home made jam.

I was feeling quite optimistic. Until I started pitting the plums. They were so very ripe, sweet and wonderful that cutting the pits our was just not going to work. They instantly became a juicy mushy mess dripping everywhere the moment I touched them with a knife.

So I looked up "pitting plums" on YouTube to see if anyone had a trick. Nope. All I could find were folks working with firm store-bought plums. I did an online search and noticed a few people thought it was easier to cook the plums first and just strain out the pits. That sounded better and for a moment my enthusiasm returned.

Once the plums were all cooked down and smelling fantastic I started straining out the pits. It worked for the first few and my optimism held. But then reality set in. This was going to be a huge messy task.

As I made my way through the pot of plums I promised myself I would never be doing this again.

 

But then, after I finished the whole 'pectin' part and jarred up my jam, I stood back and realized I had 12 cute little jars of jam. I had done it! There they were. My jars of jam. Beautiful. I could totally do this again!

Until...

I opened my first jar this morning for a nice English muffin/plum jam treat and... it had not set properly. I officially made cold plum soup.

Yup, not doin' that again.

Common phrases

These are a few of the most common words to leave my mouth. Every. Single. Day.

-Wwwwwhhhhaaaaaatttt? (In response to, "Mmmmmmoooooooommmmm?")

-Close the door.

-Don't slam the door.

-Put him down and let him play. (Directed to Caitlin who feels the need to pick up and carry Jacob everywhere.)

-Drew, get off your brother.

-Please don't ask me again.

-Now.

-Jacob, get down. (My little mountain goat.)

-No.

-I have already answered that question.

-1... 2... 3...


Some days feel like I have already lived them before. I have made this breakfast before. I have wiped these same hands and faces (and bums). I just dressed these people. That is the same load of laundry I just did. I said these same words. I washed these same dishes, made these same beds, and bought these same groceries. It's a bit like Groundhog Day, and sometimes just as funny.

 

But at the same time that everything feels like a daily repeat, I run across pictures like this:

 

 

And I remember how much things have changed in the last few years.

 

I realize that even though each day can feel so much the same, some day before I am ready, things will be oh so different.

 

Some day there wont be little ears here to hear me say, "Do you know that I love you?" And have them say back, "Do you know that I love you lots?" I'm sure we'll still say it to each other often. But it may be over a phone or after a long time away from each other.

 

And while many days feel the same, I do not have the luxury of having a "re-do" like in the movie. If I mess up, or say something I wish I hadn't, or miss a chance to do something fun, that day does not happen again. I don't get a second chance.

 

Oh, how the years fly. But a mother can choke on a day...

Random things that make me smile

I love summer break. I love spending time with my kids. I love having freedom to be lazy, silly, or even messy if the mood strikes me. We still get things done and cover the mandatory productivity each day. But I love being able to:

Snuggle in bed each morning with 4 smiley small people

Have 'picnics' by the pool whenever the mood strikes

Eat Oreos in the backyard dressed in swimsuits

Lay around after nap time and make silly faces just for the sake of laughing

Have bubble baths in the middle of the day

 

And go to the park, or on a bike ride, or to the library, or to Nana's house, or have a sleepover, or stay up past 8 o'clock, or watch a movie, or whatever else sounds like fun.

I love summer.

A mouse in the pantry

This boy is what we call "food motivated."

If you do not provide the food, he will find it.

Even if he has just eaten an adult sized slice of pizza and double serving of fruit salad, if there is something edible nearby he will find it.

 

I love my little house-mouse.