Family Camping Trip (The First Ever)

Camping is something Chris and I have always talked about doing as a family. We went on a handful of trips prior to having children and Chris has gone with his men's group several times, but going all together seemed challenging and I wasn't sure I was up for the work required. But the desire never left. So this year, with our boys ages 5 and 7 we ventured out for a 1-night camping trip.

We drove north to Tomalas Bay/Point Reyes area and camped in a little town called Olema. The campground had a fun little playground and decent bathroom facilities. Great for our first attempt. The boys were enamored with the fire -- mostly interested in putting out the fire with their squirt guns (which I had packed for the beach trip on day 2). 

We arrived in late afternoon with just enough time to set up the tent and start dinner. We cooked macaroni and cheese on the stove and grilled hotdogs once we got the fire going. Then of course, roasted marshmallows for our s'mores dessert. The boys did great roasting their own dinners (with a lot of supervision of course).

The sun finally started setting around 8:30 so we got the boys ready for bed. They were much too excited and talked in the tent until 10 p.m. when we joined them. We finally had to separate them with Chris and I in the middle. And no one slept well (which was expected). I guess we didn't realize how active Stephen is in his sleep; and William couldn't quite hold still either (at one point he was sleeping on my knees!). We got up a little before 6 a.m. and noticed this guy walking nearby:

Heron

(Other animals spotted over the weekend: deer, fawn, raccoon, pheasant, rabbit, gophers, and chipmunks.)

After a leisurely breakfast of instant oatmeal, scrambled eggs, coffee, and hot chocolate, we packed up our site and headed for a nearby hiking trail. We decided to make our way to the "Divide Meadow" which was a 3 mile round trip hike. We don't do a lot of hiking so this was going to be a stretch for the boys, but the trail was well marked and an easy walk. That didn't stop Stephen from begging to be done 5 minutes from the starting point. 

Chris did a great job keeping Stephen motivated and he did walk the entire thing on his own. On the way back Chris started singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall to keep him entertained and it worked! He loved counting down with dad . . . and singing about beer.

The Destination: Meadow Divide

After the hike we took a drive up to Tomales Bay; there is a small beach called "Heart's Desire" which was beautiful. It was a really warm day which was a treat. Very rarely are we warm when at a beach! I even went in the water to cool down. We only stayed about an hour and then packed up for home. We were all very tired.

Our first camping trip was a success. I do hope we can try it again soon. (Really helped to have friends lend us everything we needed for this one!)

Camping is something Chris and I have always talked about doing as a family. We went on a handful of trips prior to having children and Chris has gone with his men's group several times, but going all together seemed challenging and I wasn't sure I was up for the work required. But the desire never left. So this year, with our boys ages 5 and 7 we ventured out for a 1-night camping trip.

We drove north to Tomalas Bay/Point Reyes area and camped in a little town called Olema. The campground had a fun little playground and decent bathroom facilities. Great for our first attempt. The boys were enamored with the fire -- mostly interested in putting out the fire with their squirt guns (which I had packed for the beach trip on day 2). 

We arrived in late afternoon with just enough time to set up the tent and start dinner. We cooked macaroni and cheese on the stove and grilled hotdogs once we got the fire going. Then of course, roasted marshmallows for our s'mores dessert. The boys did great roasting their own dinners (with a lot of supervision of course).

The sun finally started setting around 8:30 so we got the boys ready for bed. They were much too excited and talked in the tent until 10 p.m. when we joined them. We finally had to separate them with Chris and I in the middle. And no one slept well (which was expected). I guess we didn't realize how active Stephen is in his sleep; and William couldn't quite hold still either (at one point he was sleeping on my knees!). We got up a little before 6 a.m. and noticed this guy walking nearby:

Heron

(Other animals spotted over the weekend: deer, fawn, raccoon, pheasant, rabbit, gophers, and chipmunks.)

After a leisurely breakfast of instant oatmeal, scrambled eggs, coffee, and hot chocolate, we packed up our site and headed for a nearby hiking trail. We decided to make our way to the "Divide Meadow" which was a 3 mile round trip hike. We don't do a lot of hiking so this was going to be a stretch for the boys, but the trail was well marked and an easy walk. That didn't stop Stephen from begging to be done 5 minutes from the starting point. 

Chris did a great job keeping Stephen motivated and he did walk the entire thing on his own. On the way back Chris started singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall to keep him entertained and it worked! He loved counting down with dad . . . and singing about beer.

The Destination: Meadow Divide

After the hike we took a drive up to Tomales Bay; there is a small beach called "Heart's Desire" which was beautiful. It was a really warm day which was a treat. Very rarely are we warm when at a beach! I even went in the water to cool down. We only stayed about an hour and then packed up for home. We were all very tired.

Our first camping trip was a success. I do hope we can try it again soon. (Really helped to have friends lend us everything we needed for this one!)

Another Covid Birthday

Everyone has had a Covid Birthday and now we are moving on to the second rounds. This time, it's a little less scary and a bit more hopeful. Stephen turned five on Tuesday and it was worth celebrating! We made it a week long party.

On Tuesday, we started the day with two presents. Enough to keep him entertained during the morning while William was in school. Then after we picked him up, we headed off to the zoo. Bruce the Hippo shares the same birthday with Stephen so we thought there might be some festivities happening, but not this year. We had fun anyway. The boys had been begging to ride the Little Puffer Train since January, and I had promised it could happen on Stephen's birthday. And they loved it.

Since the day was so busy, we waited until Wednesday for own little family party for him with presents (he loved getting so much mail and packages from all the relatives), cake and ice cream. He requested vanilla cake and vanilla frosting (his brother favors vanilla... I think he was just trying to pick something William would like) and he wanted his all time favorite Pokemon on the top. Wailord.  I did a decent job putting a whale on the cake.

And then on Thursday we did a very non-Covid thing and had a mini party at the playground. With one other family who have become such great friends over the last couple of years. I hadn't planned anything big or really planned anything ahead of time but wanted to have a game and dessert to share. So, I made up a theme on the fly and it became a Lego party. We played pin-the-head-on-the-lego-man and had lego head cupcakes. Then they played in the playground and had great fun together.

Stephen picked out this hat at the dollar store weeks ago!

These look more like jack-o-lanterns than I hoped.. but they were delicious.

It was so fun to get to do something so normal! And Stephen had so much fun. So glad we could celebrate. Mini-parties might be my new favorite thing.

Everyone has had a Covid Birthday and now we are moving on to the second rounds. This time, it's a little less scary and a bit more hopeful. Stephen turned five on Tuesday and it was worth celebrating! We made it a week long party.

On Tuesday, we started the day with two presents. Enough to keep him entertained during the morning while William was in school. Then after we picked him up, we headed off to the zoo. Bruce the Hippo shares the same birthday with Stephen so we thought there might be some festivities happening, but not this year. We had fun anyway. The boys had been begging to ride the Little Puffer Train since January, and I had promised it could happen on Stephen's birthday. And they loved it.

Since the day was so busy, we waited until Wednesday for own little family party for him with presents (he loved getting so much mail and packages from all the relatives), cake and ice cream. He requested vanilla cake and vanilla frosting (his brother favors vanilla... I think he was just trying to pick something William would like) and he wanted his all time favorite Pokemon on the top. Wailord.  I did a decent job putting a whale on the cake.

And then on Thursday we did a very non-Covid thing and had a mini party at the playground. With one other family who have become such great friends over the last couple of years. I hadn't planned anything big or really planned anything ahead of time but wanted to have a game and dessert to share. So, I made up a theme on the fly and it became a Lego party. We played pin-the-head-on-the-lego-man and had lego head cupcakes. Then they played in the playground and had great fun together.

Stephen picked out this hat at the dollar store weeks ago!

These look more like jack-o-lanterns than I hoped.. but they were delicious.

It was so fun to get to do something so normal! And Stephen had so much fun. So glad we could celebrate. Mini-parties might be my new favorite thing.

Preschooler B2: Five Years Old

My preschooler turned five on Tuesday. This feels big. It's the end of my preschool parenting. I'm no longer a Mother of a Preschooler (MOPS). I don't talk about MOPS a lot on my blog... maybe I should. It's a mother's group I've belonged to for six years -- a community of women who come together regularly to learn, grow and encourage each other. It really shouldn't be done alone! 

At his latest doctor's appointment, he measured 44.7 inches and weighed 40 pounds! He is grown a lot in the last year! Stephen is still my cuddly little boy who loves to crawl up on my lap and roll up into a ball while I warm him up or rub his back. He still fits on my lap when I read him books and more recently when he reads to me! If he isn't in my lap while he reads, he is rolling on the floor, jumping off a chair or putting something in to his mouth. But when I hold him, he is so focused and still. And he is learning new words everyday!

We started using the Bob Book series a few months ago. By the time I had heard about this series with William he was already reading. The short simple stories and sketches are great for Stephen. He isn't quite ready for the longer books that I had for William. That's my summer goal!

This month, as more things re-opened in our city, Stephen started gymnastics classes. It's just once a week and is more of a fun movement class (and listening to a teacher!) than any actual tumbling yet. This has been so good for him for: 1) a safe place to move around and jump that isn't breaking my couch 2) exposure to a class setting with other children and 3) listening to someone other that mom or dad. We haven't actually been apart of any amount of time in a year so this is a big deal! I was afraid he was going to resist it and fight me when it's time for class but he actually loves it and doesn't resist at all! So thankful we found something he enjoys.

Stephen has really enjoyed having William home this year. They played between every zoom call and Stephen even watched a few of them. It has been an adjustment for him having William back in school two days a week. Stephen is very sweet to share anything William missed out on while at school. When we made cookies and I gave Stephen 4 chocolate chips, he saved 2 for William... and one time he waited to eat his half until William was home so they could eat them together. One of his favorite answers to the question "Stephen, what do you want?" (food, drink, color, activity, anything...) is "Whatever William wants." We are hoping he'll start voicing his own opinion again soon, but for now it's very sweet how close they have become. 

Stephen loves legos, Pokemon, and stuffed animals. This winter the boys watched dad play Zelda (video game) and created an entire set of Zelda inspired lego creations to give dad for his birthday. It's amazing what they will transfer into their play. The boys have started playing MarioKart on their scooter trips to the park; scooter rides become races with pinecones becoming "bombs" or "turtle shells" to blowup the other player. They watch a WildKrats episode and then become animals or play with their growing assortment of stuffed animals. 

He loves when we read Geronimo Stilton books and still loves Richard Scary's "What do People Do All Day?" We read a lot of chapter books for William but Stephen seems to enjoy them just as much. He can sit and listen for very long stints, which surprises but also blesses me.

He has grown and changed so much this year and I'm thankful for this space to pause and take notice of it. We have been together the entire year, so those changes are happening right before my eyes (if I'm paying attention). To see more about his actual birthday celebration, read this.

My preschooler turned five on Tuesday. This feels big. It's the end of my preschool parenting. I'm no longer a Mother of a Preschooler (MOPS). I don't talk about MOPS a lot on my blog... maybe I should. It's a mother's group I've belonged to for six years -- a community of women who come together regularly to learn, grow and encourage each other. It really shouldn't be done alone! 

At his latest doctor's appointment, he measured 44.7 inches and weighed 40 pounds! He is grown a lot in the last year! Stephen is still my cuddly little boy who loves to crawl up on my lap and roll up into a ball while I warm him up or rub his back. He still fits on my lap when I read him books and more recently when he reads to me! If he isn't in my lap while he reads, he is rolling on the floor, jumping off a chair or putting something in to his mouth. But when I hold him, he is so focused and still. And he is learning new words everyday!

We started using the Bob Book series a few months ago. By the time I had heard about this series with William he was already reading. The short simple stories and sketches are great for Stephen. He isn't quite ready for the longer books that I had for William. That's my summer goal!

This month, as more things re-opened in our city, Stephen started gymnastics classes. It's just once a week and is more of a fun movement class (and listening to a teacher!) than any actual tumbling yet. This has been so good for him for: 1) a safe place to move around and jump that isn't breaking my couch 2) exposure to a class setting with other children and 3) listening to someone other that mom or dad. We haven't actually been apart of any amount of time in a year so this is a big deal! I was afraid he was going to resist it and fight me when it's time for class but he actually loves it and doesn't resist at all! So thankful we found something he enjoys.

Stephen has really enjoyed having William home this year. They played between every zoom call and Stephen even watched a few of them. It has been an adjustment for him having William back in school two days a week. Stephen is very sweet to share anything William missed out on while at school. When we made cookies and I gave Stephen 4 chocolate chips, he saved 2 for William... and one time he waited to eat his half until William was home so they could eat them together. One of his favorite answers to the question "Stephen, what do you want?" (food, drink, color, activity, anything...) is "Whatever William wants." We are hoping he'll start voicing his own opinion again soon, but for now it's very sweet how close they have become. 

Stephen loves legos, Pokemon, and stuffed animals. This winter the boys watched dad play Zelda (video game) and created an entire set of Zelda inspired lego creations to give dad for his birthday. It's amazing what they will transfer into their play. The boys have started playing MarioKart on their scooter trips to the park; scooter rides become races with pinecones becoming "bombs" or "turtle shells" to blowup the other player. They watch a WildKrats episode and then become animals or play with their growing assortment of stuffed animals. 

He loves when we read Geronimo Stilton books and still loves Richard Scary's "What do People Do All Day?" We read a lot of chapter books for William but Stephen seems to enjoy them just as much. He can sit and listen for very long stints, which surprises but also blesses me.

He has grown and changed so much this year and I'm thankful for this space to pause and take notice of it. We have been together the entire year, so those changes are happening right before my eyes (if I'm paying attention). To see more about his actual birthday celebration, read this.

Quilt for My Newest Niece

My brother and his wife had their second child last month, a daughter named Mabel Molly. They announced the news and I got busy picking out a quilt pattern and fabric. (I'm not local so it's not like I could run to their house to meet her. So, in my excitement, I sew!)

I had seen this pattern years ago and loved it, but back then it looked a little intimidating, to be honest. But when I came across it this time I thought it was perfect! And it was actually very similar to another process of piecing I had done, so it wasn't that hard. It was quite a process, with a lot of steps and a lot of seams. So, after working on it every spare moment for a month, I'm very happy to say, it's finished! 

And here it is:

If you've been to my house, you can tell I love teal. And I loved finding a peach/light pink and teal floral fabric as my starter. It's very bright, feminine and pretty. I'm not sure if this quilt pattern has a technical name, but I think of bows when I look at it ... or hourglasses. I'd call it my pretty bow quilt!

It's 40" x 45" and made of 90 squares! I haven't made a quilt with so many squares in a while. The last two I made had much larger squares so it wasn't nearly as many to work with. It took some perseverance to keep going this time!

The back is a peach swirl fabric. I used it on the front as well.

All folded and ready to be mailed. I never thought I would sew with white fabric. It scared me. And I'm sure it scares a new mom too, but the crisp look has grown on me and become one of my favorites. 

Congratulations to my brother and his wife! Mabel Molly, I'm looking forward to meeting you! 

My brother and his wife had their second child last month, a daughter named Mabel Molly. They announced the news and I got busy picking out a quilt pattern and fabric. (I'm not local so it's not like I could run to their house to meet her. So, in my excitement, I sew!)

I had seen this pattern years ago and loved it, but back then it looked a little intimidating, to be honest. But when I came across it this time I thought it was perfect! And it was actually very similar to another process of piecing I had done, so it wasn't that hard. It was quite a process, with a lot of steps and a lot of seams. So, after working on it every spare moment for a month, I'm very happy to say, it's finished! 

And here it is:

If you've been to my house, you can tell I love teal. And I loved finding a peach/light pink and teal floral fabric as my starter. It's very bright, feminine and pretty. I'm not sure if this quilt pattern has a technical name, but I think of bows when I look at it ... or hourglasses. I'd call it my pretty bow quilt!

It's 40" x 45" and made of 90 squares! I haven't made a quilt with so many squares in a while. The last two I made had much larger squares so it wasn't nearly as many to work with. It took some perseverance to keep going this time!

The back is a peach swirl fabric. I used it on the front as well.

All folded and ready to be mailed. I never thought I would sew with white fabric. It scared me. And I'm sure it scares a new mom too, but the crisp look has grown on me and become one of my favorites. 

Congratulations to my brother and his wife! Mabel Molly, I'm looking forward to meeting you! 

Be Strong & Courageous

I started following She Reads Truth (.com) during the Advent season and loved their reading plan/book so much that I decided to do their plan for Lent too. Over the 40 days of lent we are reading the book of Joshua and Mark. I just finished Joshua this morning. Easter is coming!

The memory verse they included in the study was Joshua 1:9, which I had chosen two decades ago as my confirmation verse, and memorized it again in college so I knew it well and it came back to me easily. But as I stewed on it week after week (as the book has you do) the words took on greater meaning.

Courageous/Discouraged

Strong/Afraid

The word courage is defined as "the ability to do something that frightens one or strength in the face of pain or grief." So to be courageous is to be full of courage... to take on the things that frighten you or to move forward with strength in the midst of pain or suffering. 

To be discouraged would be the opposite -- to have a lack of courage. To be unable to move forward in the present pain or fear. The dictionary says "having lost confidence or enthusiasm; disheartened." Some Bible translations use "dismayed" which can mean to be afraid or broken, shattered. 

If Joshua were discouraged or afraid, he may not have followed the Lord's directions and taken Jericho. Or any other cities God had given them. If he were discouraged, he may have let Israel wander for another 40 years in the desert. Who knows what would have happened if Joshua forgot that God was with him!?

This exhortation to be strong and courageous certainly makes sense for Joshua who was the new leader of Israel looking to take over the land God promised them. It would indeed require strength and courage to face many battles. Does it apply to us?

I think it does. We received the same promise of God's presence of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. God is with us wherever we go because the Holy Spirit is in us. We are also told in 2 Timothy 1:7 " For God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control." 

The other word that came to mind as I read this was "encourage" -- to give someone support, confidence and hope. Our words have such strong powers -- we can encourage someone just as easily as we can discourage someone. Our self-talk can do the same. 

I'm hoping that I can fill my mind with scripture so that my self-talk is really gospel talk. That I can be encouraged by the Word of God to be strong and courageous -- for whatever task lies ahead. After all, God is with me wherever I go.

I started following She Reads Truth (.com) during the Advent season and loved their reading plan/book so much that I decided to do their plan for Lent too. Over the 40 days of lent we are reading the book of Joshua and Mark. I just finished Joshua this morning. Easter is coming!

The memory verse they included in the study was Joshua 1:9, which I had chosen two decades ago as my confirmation verse, and memorized it again in college so I knew it well and it came back to me easily. But as I stewed on it week after week (as the book has you do) the words took on greater meaning.

Courageous/Discouraged

Strong/Afraid

The word courage is defined as "the ability to do something that frightens one or strength in the face of pain or grief." So to be courageous is to be full of courage... to take on the things that frighten you or to move forward with strength in the midst of pain or suffering. 

To be discouraged would be the opposite -- to have a lack of courage. To be unable to move forward in the present pain or fear. The dictionary says "having lost confidence or enthusiasm; disheartened." Some Bible translations use "dismayed" which can mean to be afraid or broken, shattered. 

If Joshua were discouraged or afraid, he may not have followed the Lord's directions and taken Jericho. Or any other cities God had given them. If he were discouraged, he may have let Israel wander for another 40 years in the desert. Who knows what would have happened if Joshua forgot that God was with him!?

This exhortation to be strong and courageous certainly makes sense for Joshua who was the new leader of Israel looking to take over the land God promised them. It would indeed require strength and courage to face many battles. Does it apply to us?

I think it does. We received the same promise of God's presence of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. God is with us wherever we go because the Holy Spirit is in us. We are also told in 2 Timothy 1:7 " For God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control." 

The other word that came to mind as I read this was "encourage" -- to give someone support, confidence and hope. Our words have such strong powers -- we can encourage someone just as easily as we can discourage someone. Our self-talk can do the same. 

I'm hoping that I can fill my mind with scripture so that my self-talk is really gospel talk. That I can be encouraged by the Word of God to be strong and courageous -- for whatever task lies ahead. After all, God is with me wherever I go.