Happy Campers

This past weekend our little family of four had our first camping adventure. We decided to explore an entirely new lake by Cambridge, NE called Medicine Creek Reservoir. We invited our good friends Craig and Amy and their adorable boys Brantley (2.5) and Preston (9 mo).

Nathan and Craig decided to head out early on Friday with the majority of our junk and get a round of golf in before the chaos arrived. The rain delayed them a bit, however they still got 11 holes in before they had to meet us for dinner.

After work and school, Amy and I packed the coolers of food and the four littles into the car and headed west. Surprisingly, the road trip was fairly smooth up until the last half hour when the kids had reached their limit of sitting still and were getting hungry. Has anyone every told you that two two-year-olds equals "two" much talking.

Several months ago I had searched online and rented a cabin not having any idea what it would really be like when we arrived. I was absolutely amazed! The cabin was adorable and had the most beautiful view. It had two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, small table, love seat, deck and patio with a fire pit. It was by far above and beyond my expectations.

Unfortunately, during the first night Brantley woke up with the stomach flu. I felt so bad for him as well as his parents but they were troopers and stuck it out through the weekend. I am sure someday we will tell the story and laugh at how we had to hose down the contaminated bedding, through away a pillow and air our laundry for all the world to see.

There was a small playground across the road and the kiddos thought that was just great.

Fishing is not necessarily my thing, exploring is OK, the beach is always great and I love the water, but it is the campfires and sunsets that really melt my butter.

  

  

 

The sunrise was impressive too. The fog over the water took my breath away. It is simply stunning when God reveals to you a glimpse of heaven on earth. No filter needed.

Broken Bed

Yesterday, I converted Mason's crib into a toddler bed. We have been intentionally delaying this milestone as he sleeps so well and we hate to change that but it was time. If we are going to get serious about potty training in the near future then it might be good for him to be able to get out of bed on his own. I am dreading it all.

I was finishing up the transition when Jentry arrived home from school.

Jentry: "Whoa what happened to Mason's crib? What are you doing!?!"
Me: "Making it into a toddler bed."
Jentry: "Awwww... He is just growing up too fast."

Up until that comment I hadn't really been sad about the changes but just hearing Jentry's thoughts made it all suddenly bittersweet.  I mean wasn't it yesterday that I was pregnant and carefully decorating that very crib with adorable baby boy items?

Our plan of attack was to not act at all. Since not much change actually took place we decided it might be best not to talk about anything. We just went about our bedtime routine as usual. All was going well and unnoticed until book reading was over and then he detected something different.

I simply ignored his concern, kissed him goodnight, closed the door and prayed all the way down the hall that he would not attempt to get out. 

He slept there all through the night like a champ. I, on the other hand, was up several times thinking that I heard him awake and moving around. Ugh.

One night down but how many nights will it be until he figures out that he can escape?

Third is the Bird's Word

Yesterday, Jentry started third grade with 22 classmates and Mrs. Johnson.

"Mom it seems like 2nd to 3rd is a really big step. I mean even the desks are different."

She insisted on baking cookies the night before school to take to her class on their first day.

Mason had to get in on the action. Won't be long buddy, and you will get to ride the big yellow bus too.

She has come so far since preschool.  She got ready all by herself and even made her own bed without me asking. 

And thank you Facebook for making a picture from 4 years ago appear so that I could cry as I placed it beside the picture I just finished taking.

 Third is the bird's word!