Gone Camping

I'm realizing a few things these days since Jeff is rarely home and I feel like a single mother at times. I'm realizing (and I have to word this right) that I can't wait to do everything when Jeff's around, because these days he just plain isn't. I know it's killing him to miss out on fun things like this, but it's only temporary and life will get back on track soon enough.

So,feeling a very strong desire to expose my kids to life and different experiences (I really was feeling strongly that this had to be done by me because Jeff's done it with them before)-- I took the kids camping. Just me and the kids. Jeff came up for the first evening- to help get things set and and to stay for dinner-he has a lot going on right now, so I was pretty much on my own for this one. I did, however, tag along with our good neighbors who were going as well. We had a fun dinner together and then Jeff was off because he had a lot of work to do. He took Shayla too and dropped her off for a night, yet again, with my mom.

There was a burn ban going on that weekend so we couldn't set up a campfire, but we did let the kids watch a little Tangled. Love that!

Can't believe these two little guys are a year old already. They were the "very active duo" on the trip. I love that one is crying because he probably feels like he's in prison and the other is just happy to be smashing his face against the screen door at me! I had to take this shot because I don't know how my neighbor does it sometimes. 5 kids 7 yrs. and under with the last three only 13 months apart--a 2 year old and a set of twins. They're an active bunch and there is never a dull moment around these guys!

I also took that shot because it reminded me of this similar one of Sydney with her face (well, nostrils) smashed against the car window (in 2005). That one still makes me smile! : )

The kids had a ball riding down the hill on their skateboard, scooters and bikes. These hills felt like mountains to us Texans. This is just before going down the "mountain".

Lance and Lisa are the proud owners of a great camper. I was all ready to sleep in the tent with my kids. Flash lights, check. Blankets, check. Flip flops in a convenient spot for late night bathroom trip, check. But it was slightly warm (remember it's camping in Houston), so we all piled very comfortably into their nice air conditioned camper for a great night's sleep. I'm sure we all slept much better inside there than we would have in that toasty tent. I was prepared to rough it though...I'm just saying.

For breakfast I got to be on bacon duty and I have to admit that I did a pretty darn good job! Not too soggy, not too burnt. Just perfectly cooked, if I do say so myself. I was a little sad that I had a few bacon grease splatters on my overly worn shirt. Liquid dish soap took it right out though, so I can keep wearing it! Pheew!

For the day, we got to take nature walks and explore a bit.

Great neighbors and now fellow campers, Lance and Lisa

I got to take my kids fishing! See? Exposure! I haven't been fishing since high school, so I needed a quick refresher course. Spencer was ready to catch an alligator.

Saryn and Rachel lounging in the sun.

Cute girl!

Spence and fishing buddy, Levi (some kid who hung out with Spencer almost the entire time we were there. I always wondered where his parents were).

Anna and Sydney

Trouble with the line.

Saryn looks so comfortable here just patiently waiting for a catch.

Love this kid!

A face I get to see all to often.

Though none of us caught anything, we still left with smiles. Even Saryn.

There was this cool tree trunk the kids crawled up. It was fun to see 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 kids crawling up through my camera lens. I wish I would have had my other camera just for the practice.

Then 5.

Syd went up just a bit higher and got spooked.

Then the same happened with Anna, then Saryn, then Spencer and then Rachel.

This is what we thought about the bacon we ate for breakfast (still hanging out of Saryn's mouth) and this is what we thought of the whole camping trip too! Two thumbs up!