Weekend at Mohican

We had such a great weekend camping at Mohican this weekend. I seriously love our pop-up camper. Even with a 98 degree heat advisory issued we could sleep in air conditioning and take some moments through the day to escape the heat. We also rafted and then tubed down the Mohican River most of yesterday. We were on the water six hours, along with hundreds of hillbilly drunk Americans who had air horns and beer bongs and mouths like sailors. It's a good job my kids hear a lot of swearing at home or else they might have been shocked.  But joking aside, the people were such fun and very easy going. I like the camping crowd.

Our friend Maureen joined us and said she loved the weekend away. Thankfully I have great neighbours who could look after Ben. He'll tag along on future trips, just not when it's 98 degrees.

Some highlights: dancing with Jack to our summer anthem (Justin Timberlake's "Can't stop the feeling") at the campsite disco last night, playing cards with the kids, watching Jack master some tricks on his BMX, people-watching on the river, carrying Danny, with his arms around my neck and his face nuzzled into my neck when he crosses gravel roads (he refuses to wear shoes, just like I did at his age), and just having quality family time.

I already can't wait for the next camping trip. As Craig said on the way home "this will be the shortest summer ever".

A Little Reminder

When I was in England last August I dropped weight, walked a TON, dropped 2 trouser sizes and felt GOOD.  Back in the USA now I'm toxic, overweight, and tired. And I don't play active stuff with the kids anymore. We are going camping soon and I can kayak or not. I thought "not" because I'm too heavy. PAH!

I saw this tonight on FB and it struck a cord. I do believe this is true. Eye opener for me.

All in One Place: My favourites

Rather than search for my favourites on You Tube I have created  this page, which I will add to.
My Favorites....



 

Camper Love

We camped for a second time this weekend and loved it. We love our pop up so much! I could just sit in there all day long and I'd be as happy as a sandboy. While the whole purpose is to set up camp and go out to have fun at the campsite a little bit of me wants to just hide in there all day, reading, listening to music and re-arranging my new camping stuff that I found on Pinterest. I made new valances and tie backs and could happily of sat and looked at them.

Owning a camper is like having a grown up "den" because you feel like you're at one with nature, being adventurous and also you have a special spot just for you. "Just for you" is not normal for me - I go through life thinking I don't deserve or can't afford things, so it feels extravagant and a little self indulgent to have this. But I'm 47 and I deserve it!  I've worked my ass off since I was 13 years old, so I definitely do. Some women want diamonds, this is my thing, my want.  Today Craig said "I wish we'd have bought a camper years ago, thanks for making it happen because I would never have made the plunge. You are more impulsive that me (true) so thanks ".


So this weekend we ....     rode on a boat for 7 hours,  went swimming in the dark (I was scared about that but bit my tongue when Craig & the lads jumped in. I'm a great swimmer but scared of deep water),  went fishing (Jack caught 2 Bluegills), made smores, played cards, abused SIRI and laughed till our sides ached, rode bikes, went to a beach-side birthday party, and the kids played the new and all the rage Pokemon Go game.

My memories are so sweet:

Spending it with friends who swear like sailors, drink like sailors,  reveal all family secrets as soon as they hang out with you (I do too), and live life with a loud, crazy passion.

Jack always tagging along on his bike to escort me and back forth from the bathrooms. He said his favorite part of the day was swimming with me and talking with me.

Daniel swimming up to me and saying "water hug!"  When we got home we watched Rio 2 and he snuggled into my arm and fell asleep.

Craig getting up early each day to enjoy his little bit of alone time and I'd wake up later & see on Facebook that he'd hiked a little or just sat and enjoyed life at the fire pit before making coffee and breakfast and taking care of us all. He's such a good egg, such a good Dad and husband.

Swimming in the lake with my family. I can't think of anything better.

Learning a new card game (called Kidney, but we're going to call it Chicken Liver)

I can't wait to go camping again. Life is good. :)

Double Digits

Dear Jack,

Happy 10th Birthday! I'm so glad I know you. You're funny, social, and easy going. You'll eat anything and you'll try anything. In fact you WANT to try everything, whether it's kayaking or tubing or zip lining. You want to know everyone, know everything, and do everything.  You exhaust me sometimes, but I'm secretly proud of you and your thirst for life.

Me and your dad love you to bits. Our hope for you in this 10th year is that you find a little independence, be  a little kinder to your brother, and just keep loving life.  We are very proud of you, happy that you are playing the cello and loving sports and find it easy to make friends.

That's it really my love. We are just proud of you and happy that you love life and are a happy kid. Oh, and you grew 1.5" this year.

xxx

Camps and Campers

Well that 3 weeks since my last post ended faster than a pack of Curly Wurly's last in our house.

Where to begin? Summer camps are on: Jack at acting camp (yes darling, he wants to rule the stage), and the local Rec. Center for Danny.  Both boys started off happy with their choice and then grew a bit jealous of each other; Jack wanting to spend time with neighbour friends, Daniel sad he can't do the Star Wars acting camp. But they made their choices so ...

Jack's camp

With his school friend Aaron. Nice "dab" Jack. Apparently a "Dab" is  a cool thing these young 'uns do. 

I have no pictures of Danny at camp. When I drop him off he drops me like a hot brick and would be mortified if I got my camera out. Sigh. But he's loved being with his neighbor friends and had a blast, so that's very good :)  This week he's been with my friend Erika and her boys and loved every minute. I'm so so lucky.

-----------------------------------

We bought a Pop-up Camper. HURRAH! We've wanted one for a while. I'm going to post a lot of pictures later as there will be a "before" and "afters". Of course.

Here's what I have to say so far about having a camper versus a tent:

Thank the Good Lord for air conditioning, walking upright and not having to find a zipper at 4am. Especially when tipsy with a bladder the size of a bowling ball. Done that too many times.

Thankful for a place to escape and hide from people. Yes I'm social, but yes I need  alone time every day. If I don't have alone time who knows what will happen.

It's too damn hot in a tent to do anything during the day, but not a camper with AC. Yes AC. AC!!

Waking up in a dry place means a lot. Waking up covered in condensation on a damp pillow sucks ass.

I can sit, at a table, and play card games with my lads. Priceless.

So here's to a summer of camping and making great memories!

Vacation: Day 5

This morning I picked up Lyn & grand kids and we went to Columbus Commons, where they have a free kids event each week. It was a tad too young for Jack but we met some other friends there and they had fun. Afterwards we wandered over to the Ohio Statehouse lawn and let them play in the fountain and we got them ice cream from our friend's food truck. All in all a successful morning.

Then they went to a friend's house for a little while and I found myself at home alone. Woohoo! Time  alone in the house is so very rare for me!  I got to do housework (I'm lying of course). I used the  time to catch up on my blog and email. And goof off.

Craig finished work a tad early so we got the boys and went to the pool, and had some family time. The best.

Vacation: Day 4

Last night I was working on Daniel's quilt and then fell asleep on the couch. Woke up at 4am with my new bifocal lenses stuck to my eyeballs like glue. Dragged myself to bed,  but then Craig got up 2.5 hours later and I did too. I snook down to the basement so I could work on his quilt again.

By 8.30am both boys were up but we had a lazy morning. I'll rephrase that. They had a lazy morning. I quilted, cleaned the kitchen, did housework, and did laundry etc etc.

But it was a great day: Chilled at home, pool with Lyn and grandkids,  Mexican food truck for tea,  Jack's fist cello lesson, my new Jamberry nail wraps, and being able to carry my little one to bed. That never gets old.

A fab day again.