Camp Richardson - Lake Tahoe

Last week we went camping at Camp Richardson in Lake Tahoe. The weather was beautiful - warm by Tahoe standards in the high 80's. We had a relaxing time - even ordered pizza for take-out on the first night (my kind of camping). The kids both slept until 8:00 am the first morning which was wonderful for us. I couldn't believe it. The boys went fishing a few times but didn't catch anything. K and I hung out around camp and walked (I walked ... she insisted on being carried) down to the water. Keep in mind that she's 33 pounds and I had all of our water toys and stuff! The kids loved the old fashioned ice cream parlor. Here are a few pictures.

M took this one. I love it but wish he were in it.

We rode our bikes a lot. The kids loved it and I felt like I got some exercise. Are they cute or what?

What a ham!

Another photograph taken by M. We're on one of our hikes here.

Our hike to Angora Lake. K fell a few times and definitely wasn't loving it.

The hike was almost a mile each way and with a lot of encouragement M did it on his own. When I asked him if he liked hiking he said it was a lot of work. Here he is taking a little breather.

"No more pictures, Mommy!"

This isn't Angora Lake but a lake we passed on the way there. Thought this would be a beautiful photograph.

We were home for a few days and then Brian took the kids for an overnight camping trip in Santa Rosa with one of his buddies from work and his kids. I had a day and a half to MYSELF. I had a hard time deciding what to do so I ended up doing a little shopping (for the kids mostly) in the morning, taking a 2 hour nap in the afternoon and catching a card-making class at one of the local scrapbooking stores in the evening. Needless to say, it went by way too fast but I had a great time. I slept in until 9:00 am the next morning and hung out around the house until I had to go to work. Glorious!

Today was M's last day at preschool. It was difficult to say goodbye to all of his teachers and the director. They have been so wonderful to all of us. M and I made a Cinnamon-Sugar Pull Apart for the teachers this morning (I think we'll make one for us in the AM). They had a huge banner that all the kids had signed that said good-bye to the 3 kids that were leaving today. All of the teachers came over to give him a hug ... I was very proud of him. The director told me how lucky I am because he's so sweet and good. He's never been in trouble. Not once in 2 years. It was a great Mommy-Moment. I guess I'm doing something right.

K on the other hand has been somewhat of a grouch. She's a bit overtired from all of the traveling she's been doing. No naps and playing for 12 hours straight can get exhausting, I'm sure. She hasn't been listening very well and is really starting to test us. I guess it's her age ... M did the same things. The frustrating part is that she isn't staying on time-outs anymore. She repeatedly gets up. It's challenging for sure.

Lately the kids have 2 songs they can't get enough of. Their hands down favorite is "Who Let The Dogs Out?" by Baha Men. They sing it all day. They also love "Come On Ride The Train" by the Quad City DJ's. When I play it they both jump up and immediately start dancing and running around ... it's very cute. I know ... not a G-Rated song but they don't get the true meaning or even listen to most of the song. They love the, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" parts. We have the best 90's station which is where they have been hearing these. (sorry Brian ... he hates it) I figure out which ones they like and then play them on my computer at Playlist.

Well, I exhausted. Goodnight.

Happy Monday

I worked all weekend and when I wasn't working, Brian and I (OK mostly Brian) were painting our bedroom. Today I had a major work hangover so I took the kids to Ikea this morning (free childcare for 1 1/2 hours) while I wandered around the store and enjoyed my coffee. After we got home we planned on going to the pool but started playing here and before I looked up, it was 5:00 pm. I kept the kids busy with activities all day because I had some catching up to do around here. One of the things they enjoyed most was coloring on the sliding glass door - I found some window markers the other day in my craft supplies and couldn't wait to let the kids try them out. They had a great time and it cleaned up so easily with just a little Windex. I also got the ads from the Sunday paper out and asked M to go through them and cut out the things he would want. He had more fun with that ... I bet he worked on it for an hour because he also cut things out for K and myself. The things he cut out for me cracked me up ... Comet Cleanser, Lipton Iced Tea, pepperoni pizza, root beer and some ink pen (he's right about the pizza). K attempted to use the scissors but can't do it yet. M couldn't cut well until he was 4.

The kids have gotten so much easier ... I can't tell you. They still have disagreement but for the most part play together quite well now. Their favorite thing to do together is to put K's Littlest Pets on M's trains. Last week Brian and I totally gutted the playroom so it seems the kids are using it more. Another activity they are doing often is coloring. It's funny ... about a month ago M sat down to color and all of a sudden just got it - he can stay in the lines perfectly now.

K is loving preschool - the difference between boys and girls is when I pick her up from school, she will tell me everything she did. For the last 2 years, when I ask M what he did at school I get, "nothing." Typical guy, huh? She looks forward to going when I drop her off she immediately says, "good-bye Mom." It's almost embarrassing (like she just wants me to leave). She has a little bit of OCD about things ... she HAS to say good-bye and goodnight first so she says it right away. Before we even get into her bedroom, she'll say, "I wanna say goodnight to you!" She also insists on saying it to M first and he has to answer her in a certain way or she'll keep repeating it. He gets annoyed.

M has 3 days left at St. Johns. It makes me kind of sad because I love it so much. I don't want him to grow up ... I'm loving the stage he's in right now. He's a mama's boy but not in a bad way. This morning Ikea only had room for one child for the first 25 minutes so M came shopping with me ... he commented on everything I looked at and insisted on holding my hand throughout the entire store. When I took him to the play area he told me he had fun shopping with me and gave me the most wonderful smile. He is also helping out around the house a lot more and will do what I ask him to do without such a fuss.

We're leaving Wednesday morning for our camping trip to Lake Tahoe. So far we're loving the trailer and have been getting plenty of use out of it. Brian got a map of California for the playroom - he and the kids are mapping all of the places we go camping. He's taking the kids camping on his own for one night next week. He's meeting one of his friends from work and his two kids. What will I do with myself? I can't decide whether I want to stay home ALONE and enjoy it or get out and do something. Either way, I can't wait. Don't get me wrong ... I love my family more than anything but alone time is a rarity.

I have to go to bed ... why do I always stay up so late?

My CRAZY kids.

I don't' have a lot of time to write now but over the past few weeks, I've taken a few funny pictures of the kids that I would like to post. M is absolutely going to kill me if he gets sight of these when he grows up.

M put jacks in his nose and began to buzz around saying, "look Mom, I'm a propeller plane!"

I asked the kids to put their swim clothes on for swim class and this is what I found when I went upstairs! Is he going to kill me or what? They were too funny. Look at K's crazy hair. 80's hair band?

Doin' a silly dance. Look at how muscular he is.


Brian pointed out that I've never posted a picture of Roscoe so I did a mini-photo shoot with him the other day. Here's my favorite one. He always looks so sad, doesn't he? Now that he's 7 years old, he's settled down a lot and turned out to be a great dog.


We're going to a water park today because it's supposed to be SOOO hot here. All in all, we've been pretty lucky because the weather has been so mild. I'm really looking forward to our next camping trip ... Camp Richardson at Lake Tahoe.

Camping at Lawson's Landing

After our night in the RV Park, we headed to our next destination which was Lawson's Landing. It's a huge area for camping on Dillon Beach (which is approx 7 miles from Bodega Bay). Several of Brian's co-workers have camped there so we decided to give it a try. It's just a grassy area - you set up camp wherever you want because there isn't hook-ups. We found the perfect site (with a fire-pit and table) that had a huge secluded sandy area for the kids to play and look for seashells. All we had to do was climb a little sand dune and we were at the beach but it wasn't close enough that I had to worry about the kids. They have a small general store and a pier where people seem to hang out. The only downside was it was very windy both days ... the first day was also VERY cold and we weren't dressed for it. I have a feeling it's windy often.

This camping trip was much smoother than our overnight at Folsom Lake. I don't know if Brian and I have gotten better at it or are more organized or what. The kids certainly were better this time. They played on their own a lot. At one point M was in coloring at the table in the trailer. Brian and I were shocked. They walked Roscoe a lot, played in the sand, hiked up the sand dunes over and over, searched for seashells and explored. It was so good for all of us.

I've realized the one of the most challenging things for me as a parent is to let go a little (with M). While riding his bike in the RV Park, when he got out of my site (for a minute or so ... tops) I couldn't help but worrying about all the what if's. What if he gets run over, what if someone kidnaps him, what if he gets lost ... etc. Reality check -there was very little traffic in the RV Park, stranger abductions are rare, and he could practically get me anywhere in Sacramento without getting lost. Relax Melissa. I have to remember that he is getting a little older and is very responsible. I can't imagine how I will feel when he starts driving.

Great one of M.

Looking up at our kite. It was the easiest kite flying ever because of the gusty winds.

She loved laying in the warm sand but ended up getting it all over her face and in her mouth. (see it)

Fun with the kite.

Running from the water. He had so much fun and ended up getting soaking wet .... brrrr!

Sand castles.

She wouldn't look at me but I like this one anyways.

Mr. Photogenic.

M threw the ball a few times for Roscoe but Roscoe was a little nervous with the waves. He's more of a river dog.

Our camp ... during the clean-up process. The kids climbed up this hill dozens of times and it's much bigger than it appears in the picture.

The sand dune on the other side - you're almost there K. Keep going.


I'm going to bed ... exhausted. Caught a cold while on our camping trip and have been coughing all evening. Hope I feel better tomorrow because I work all weekend.

4th of July Fun

I met Brian in Sonoma the morning of the 4th so we could go to the parade. We've never been ... I'm not sure why because it was a lot of fun and lasted over 2 hours. Brian drove the tent trailer in when he worked his regular shift so we could just leave from there to go camping. The only place we could find to stay at was an RV Park in Rohnert Park which is about 20 minutes from Sonoma. After the parade, we went to set up camp at the RV Park. The kids ended up loving it because it had a charming Clubhouse and plenty of room to ride their bikes around. We relaxed there a bit and then it was time for the fireworks show in Sonoma. The show is put on by the Fire Department so we got VIP treatment all the way. We were able to park, hang out and party in our own area without anyone else around. They had food and plenty of drinks. I stayed sober so Brian could drink. We had the best possible view of the fireworks show and all I can say about that is WOW! The show was every bit of 45 minutes long with a grand finale of about 50 at the same time!! M loved it ... poor K was so exhausted from playing with all the kids that she fell asleep 5 minutes before the show started in my arms (thank goodness because she kept me warm ... it was freezing). I don't know how she slept through the loud noise but I'm glad she did because I think she would have been scared. It was the best show I've ever seen ... even better than the Disneyland fireworks!! We'll do it again next year if Brian doesn't work.

The boys. M made his hat at school ... isn't it cute?

K and da-da (as she calls him).

Hanging out in Town Square after the Parade. A decent picture.

I like this one of K.

A picture of the kids together. Not the best quality but I still love it.

I was driving the other day when I heard M whisper, "I love you" to K. She didn't hear him the first time so he repeated it ... then she said with the happiest voice, "I love you too, M." Made my day. I've been talking to M lately about how lucky he is to have a sister. I told him he always has someone to play with and how boring life would be without her. He has been a little nicer to her lately. It must have worked.

M Funny. The other day he and Brian were horsing around and he said, "you want some of this, punk??" He has been so much fun lately and such a big help to me.

K Funny. While in Costco today we passed the Maxi-Pads and K screamed, "look Mommy ... big band aids." I told her they weren't but she persisted so finally I just got out of that aisle. A few customers got a good laugh, for sure. I'll tell you what, if she thinks she is right, you're never going to change her mind. She is so stubborn.

The kids have been loving their swim lessons and are making vast improvements. M is starting to use his arms and actually swim (freestyle). He loves going underwater and is floating much better. K just has a blast ... she is doing well with the noodle and has relaxed a lot while floating. She is fearless.

K had her second day of school today and loved it. They had a Teddy Bear Picnic and everything was bear-themed today. When I got there to pick her up she screamed, "we had cupcakes with gummy-bears on top!!" They painted and made a Teddy Bear Puppet out of a small paper bag.

I have tons of pictures to post when I get time.

K's off to preschool

Today was K's first day of preschool. We've been talking about it for weeks and she was so excited. She couldn't wait to put her new dress and backpack on this morning and asked me every 5 minutes if it was time to go to school yet. Her teacher called me a few weeks ago to ask me if we wanted to drop by a few times to visit so K wouldn't be scared or cry when I leave. I assured her that K would be fine ... she's not afraid of much. When we got ready to leave, Brian and I told K and she looked up and said "bye, mom and dad!" Just like I thought, she would do fine. Teacher Michelle couldn't believe it. That's my girl.

Her face when Teacher Michelle opened the door this morning. Priceless.

Walking out to the car this morning before school.

I forgot to post these ... we went to Target a few weeks ago to get her new backpack. She had seen a Hello Kitty backpack there before and knew that's what she wanted. That's just how she is. M would have thought it over, looked at all of them, hemmed and hawed, asked me which one I thought he should get and then made a decision (after some time). He is so much like me. K is decisive.

Shopping time.
K's been funny lately (and a stinker). I gave her a hot-dog for lunch the other day (while camping) and she looked at it for a while said, "I don't want this hot dog ... it's wrong for me." That's her new saying ... she said it again last night when I gave her some cereal, "Mom, this cereal is wrong for me!" Yes my kids ate cereal for dinner because we had a late lunch so they were hungry right before bed.

I have to go get K. Can't wait to see how her day went.

Chrissy's Zoo

When we go to Coalinga, we usually try to go out to my friend Chrissy's house. She has land and tons of animals for the kids to play with (along with toys - the kids love it there). She used to have a horse named Buck that we absolutely loved ... he seemed like he was part dog and was the most affectionate horse I've ever seen. He would rub up against you and almost looked like he was smiling. The kids could run around him and I knew I wouldn't have to worry. Sadly, Buck had to be put down because he broke his leg. Anyways ... this time Chrissy had a newborn alpaca so we absolutely had to go out and see him.

He's about 2 weeks old here. K kissed and hugged him until his mommy started spitting and making the strangest yelling sound. I screamed because I honestly thought she was going to bite K but I guess they only have bottom teeth (still wouldn't have been pleasant). K never batted an eye and wasn't the slightest bit scared. She loves animals. Cute, huh?

On the other hand, M immediately asked if they would spit on him right away and didn't get very close except for me to get this shot. M's kind of like me ... I like animals (from a distance).

Yes, they even have a pot-bellied pig! Tudy has gotten so much bigger! I couldn't believe it. She was sick and didn't want to get up so we let her rest.

Holding the Cockatoo.

He was on her shoulder but she started giggling and scared him away. I like this shot though.
I've been busy all day getting ready for our trip this weekend. Brian's fire department puts on the fireworks show and we haven't been in 6 or 7 years because the rooms are just crazy expensive. Now that we have the trailer, it was the perfect time to go. Everyone hangs out, parties and watches the show. The only place we could get on such short notice to stay is an RV park in Rohnert Park but it will work fine to crash. They also have a parade in the morning so I have to get an early start! We're moving on to Lawson's Landing for the second night and will be staying right on the beach so I'm sure the kids will love it.

Will right more when I get the chance ... Happy 4th of July!! Be safe.

Melissa

Our Summer-Cation (as K would say)

Brian went on a fishing trip with the guys so the kids and I went on a road-trip to my moms and my friend Dina's in Clovis. I had been telling K that we were going on our own summer vacation so on our way to my moms K exclaimed, "Yeah! We're going on summer-cation!" Too funny. The kids were so easy and got along very well so it was relaxing for the most part. Our two oldest are the same age, K is the same age as her middle child and she has a baby girl that is 8 months old ... yes, 5 kids.

Dina's oldest and M got married. M (Dina's oldest) dressed K up as the flower girl and A was the ring bearer. Here's a wedding photo.

Bath time! They had no room to breathe and had to rotate so I could get everyone washed but didn't mind at all ... they giggled and splashed until I made them get out.

A cute close-up of M and M.

In Coalinga at my sister's pool. He's using a sling-shot to get me with a splash-bomb! Look at that mischievous face.

Couldn't help but post this hilarious picture of Sadie (my sister's bulldog) wearing M's floatie in the pool. She's not the best swimmer ... she can swim for a minute or so but after much longer would just sink to the bottom.

So photos of the kids on the Slip-N-Slide at my mom's house. Remember those? I learned one thing for sure ... I'm too old to Slip-N-Slide. I went twice ... the first time nearly killed me but for some reason I decided to try it again. The second time I literally almost broke my jaw!! After I got up I had to make sure I could still open-close my jaw, had to take an Aleve and was sore the next day!! My mom was cracking up until she knew I was hurt. It's not as easy as it looks.

Preschool Graduation

Mason graduated from preschool on June 18th but I've been so busy, I haven't had time to post any pictures. He's going to continue to go to St. John's until the end of July because he would go nuts at home for a month and a half. He starts Kindergarten on August 10th and can't wait. Wow! I can't believe my baby boy is starting Kindergarten. It was so cute ... the kids marched in to Pomp and Circumstance and wore caps and gowns. M was so excited and practically running down the aisle so I didn't get ANY good pictures. He had the most wonderful grin on his face too. Bummer.

Getting his Diploma from Miss Gayle, Preschool Director.

Right after the ceremony.

Brian had his eyes closed or this would have been a great shot. I'm posting it anyways.

We surprised M with an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen when we got home ... he's not a huge fan of cake but loved ice cream cake.