Camping

We decided to try and go camping... It was really fun. Dora was a bit young and she spent a lot of time running around like a loon, which left us chasing her away from the fire, but we had a good time. Here's some shots of the kids' first game. Dora would take charcoal out of the bag and throw it, and Eli would squawk and go get it and put it back. This was fun, but it turned their hands black.

Here he is getting the charcoal back...

This is to show you how gorgeous it is, and how Dora was a total nut running around!

Dora loved the fire... Also, can you tell Dora's clothes are too small? Her winter clothes are way too small, and I don't have new ones but it's really cold out in the Redwoods!

This was our "Tunnel."
We had delicious tin foil dinners.

And lots of snacks.

Dora makes this funny face periodically. She looks like a duck.

Eli carried these all over calling them his "scissors".

Another shot of the campsite.

We had some fun toasting marshmellows. The kids basically took mine every time I had a good one and Eli would trade me his scorched or non-hot but charcoal-dusty one. Yum.

Happy baby.

We pulled this mossy log over because we forgot chairs! oops! Packing to go camping with kids is like mobilizing an army.

Dad's a real trooper to carry Dora around on his shoulders when she's dripping marshmallow goo.

YAY! Marshmallows!
Eli LOVED the s'mores.

My kids DEFINITELY never chased each other around with sticks.

Dora got into everything. Did I mention, everything? Including the food? Instead of stopping her, I got my camera.

Libby and David's visit

This week's theme was company. First we had Aunt Libby and Uncle David (whom I had never met) and the kids had a great time with them. Sadly, Whit had to work so he wasn't home that much. Then, Aunt Katrina and Uncle Garth and two of their girls came to visit too... It was neat to have everyone here. I was not very good with the camera and missed documenting their visit! Sorry!!

Also, before the photos of Uncle David and Aunt Libby, here's a shot of my two boys sleeping. Eli's had some rough nights for some reason. It has left him tired and crabby during the morning.

While Whit was working, I took the kids (Dora, Eli, Libby and David) to the park. It was hard watching 4 at once, but I managed. Here are a few shots.

This last photo has a story. The other day I heard Dora playing in the dining room. I didn't think much of it. Then I wondered, what is she doing in there? I ran in to find her sitting in the middle of the table, playing with the salt and pepper shakers. Eli would have covered the table with salt and pepper. Dora, being Dora, found a paper plate and put pepper on one side and salt on the other. She wasn't very happy when I pulled her off the table and threw her art away.

I did take a snap shot first.

Boogers

Eli was picking his nose in nursery.

Me, to Eli, "Eli, don't pick your nose."

Eli to me, "But mom, there's a booger in there!"

Bouncy House

I confess. My kids watch way too much TV. Some moms are great during the summer and they go play outside with their kids every day. I HATE SUMMER. It's SO HOT! And it's so much work to do anything outside with tiny kids. Sandbox--change clothes and power hose the kids. Pool/Sprinkler/Water Table--put them in water clothes and diapers, then bathe, lotion and reclothe and diaper them. Running around outside--clean off and change clothes. AGHH! It's all so much work and I HATE being hot! SO, during the summer I am a terrible mother. My kids watch lots of TV. I am much better during the winter. We do walks, and exploring, etc.

Today I decided I would be a better mom. On my terms. So, we played with the bouncy house.

Inside. See for yourself.

The kids loved it. I got the balls out for it too, but no photos of that.

Also, after bath time tonight, I reached over and grabbed a towel for Eli and one for Dora. They usually use the same towel, but they both wanted out at the same time. Turns out Dora's towel was a bathrobe. I got this when the kids were tiny. I am sorry to say I never used it. It seemed like such a hassle. DORA LOVED IT. She wouldn't take it off. She spent the next hour in her robe, even after I put her PJs on, she put it on over them. FUNNY!

Cute!!
Oh and my random homemaking tip for the day: If you use a toaster oven like me (a lot a lot) to save on the electric bill, don't try baking a homeade-from-scratch-cherry pie in it. It will taste like poo. You will be sad.

Eli the Kid

So, since watching Toy Story (every day, I know, I am a bad mom), Eli is a bit obsessed with Buzz and lately Woody too. He has been asking for stories about the character we call Eli the Kid. Eli the Kid has a horse named Bullseye and loves to save things. Tonight's story was about Eli the Kid who saves the lost sheep from Black Bart and then takes him home. (He lives on Jennifer Way, which is off Savage and Beacon Road. I want to make sure my lost sheep can find his way home if it ever comes to that. Ha.) These stories inevitably involve Eli the Kid's Lasso, which can save pretty much anything or stop the bad guy.

Anyhow, after I finished with his story, he told me it was a good one. Then he told me he would tell me what really happened. His story to me went something like this:

Eli the Kid and mommy were walking outside on the sidewalk. Bullseye came running up to give them both a ride when Eli whistled. Then they saw a weed cutter (it took me a bit to figure out what he was saying) that was going to cut his eye. (WHIT? Have you been telling Eli weed cutters will cut his eye?? Where did he get this from?) Eli the Kid had to save us from getting our eyeballs cut. So, he got his lasso, hopped off of Bullseye and looped the weed cutter, throwing it away. Now we are safe. Phew. I was really worried. Thanks, Eli the Kid.

Thomas the Train and Riverside Park

I get on craigslist a lot. It's probably a problem... but I have been watching this Thomas Ride-Along train for a while now. It was originally posted pretty high (they retail for a LOT) but it's come down... Anyhow, I started haggling with the guy and arrived at a pretty reasonable figure. We went to Medford today to go to Costco and I went by and picked this up. Eli and Dora are pretty excited. Here's a few still shots. We ended up moving it to the family room since it runs a little better on wood with big kids like Eli. (It's rated for 45 pounds and Eli is 39, but on carpet it sorta sinks down and goes slowly with Eli).

Happy kiddos!

You can see here how big it is. It takes up a lot of space!

After naps, we went to get snowcones (around the corner--YUMMY) and then went to Riverside park. I felt bad I haven't been taking photos in at least a week and took my camera, even though it's hard to watch two kids alone and take photos (Whit's working today). We snagged this empty table and Eli immediately said, "Mom, that's a chess table." That is one smart kid.

This is right before Dora dumped her snowcone all over her shirt.

Oh, did I mention she climbs. EEEK. This is as far as I let her go while I was snapping photos and not hovering, but she went way higher.

Zoom!

I loved this mischievous smile...

Look at that messy shirt!

Fun in a tube.

Hi!!

Hope you're having a good weekend! We sure are!

And a bonus, a video. I am not sure why it's so small.

Smiling Cousins

I wish Megan was in these, but she wasn't awake yet. The morning we left, I got some snapshots of our three kids having fun.

ALL THREE SMILING! IT'S A MIRACLE. I can't claim credit. Cassidy did it. She is just THAT funny looking. :P

Here was the beginning of the ride home.

Dora's pretty blue eyes...

I won't upload a video I took of them both screaming during the latter half, because that would be mean, but we left my mom a voicemail. I am sure she will vouch for the miserableness of the second half. :-) We had a great time, but we're also glad to be home!