Always an Adventure...

When you are a mom of little boys there is one thing you just have to do:

Camping.

Yuck...I know...

So, last night for the first time EVER we loaded up our new tent, drove 2.5 hours to a beautiful state park.  Got our spot, got the tent out & it started to rain.  No...It started to POUR, thunder AND lightning, as Kelly and I attempted to put this tent together in the dark, (except for when it would lightning...then we could see for a sec), all with 5 little faces peering out the back window of our SUV.  After 20 minutes we got back in the car SOAKED, buckled everyone in & drove home.  True story.  

The kids never pouted once, in fact, they thanked us over & over again for trying.  It really was pretty funny, 5 hours in the car with 5 kids and no vacation.  

So this afternoon...

The tent went up in the backyard.

They were all pretty pleased with themselves & I'm pretty sure they were all thinking last nights tent fail was my help vs. theirs.  

Dinner was Franks & Beans over the fire.

With camping it's the little things like cooking your own dinner,

and getting away with drinking your beans cause you can't remember where you put your spoon down,

sneaking the chocolate for the s'mores,

and chilling with Daddio.

The boys gobbled the beans,

(and apparently put their hot dogs right on the driveway.)

(Don't worry when I noticed it in the pic I got the kid a plate.)

Rocco took delight in gathering firewood...

...from my rock garden.

Okay, Okay, so we are not legit campers.

I won't be earning this badge:

I'll admit that when the rain started tonight I snuck inside with Kit as the rest of the crew hurried to the tent.  

So they are out there:

while the 2 of us will be snug in our comfy beds...

...oooh scratch that...

the door just opened & 2 boys in their tighty whities are coming in with their flashlights claiming it's too hot (Its 69 degrees).

Well, the 4 of us will be cozy 

& Annie, Rocco & Kel will earn this tonight:

Good night friends!

Spring Break

This year my kids had an extra long

Spring Break, a week & a half.

 

The first day of break Annie & I typed out

a list of things we were going to, or really wanted to, do. 

 

 Tomorrow is the very last day before

heading back to school on Monday

& we got everything on this list checked off:

 

 

They did a lot of fun "stuff"

but that's not what made it special.

 

It was the smiles.

The excitement of trying things for the first time.

But, as exciting as learning to ski AND going down your first "black diamond" all on the same night is,

(That is my husband for you)

 

 

lots of the "specialness" was in our own kitchen.

 

In the quiet moments of concentration & togetherness.

 

 

 

 In my amazement as I watched her work,

she designed & filmed her own cooking show episodes

& started a new cooking blog.

 

 

 

In the wonderment of a new fish.

 

Everyday was special.

 

Because I had my 5,

 

 

and they love each other.

 

 

Do you get a Spring Break?

 

Trisha from American Honey Home You won the

bracelet!

 

Email Shana@highintencity.com & she will get that to you!

 

 

Ocean

One reason it has been a little quite on my blog is that we took a road trip! 

A 24 hour road trip. 

No, we were not gone for 24 hours, we were in the car 24 hours...one way...

Yes...we are all still alive.

3 hours into the ride Bo started crying & howling,

"My buns hurt!  My buns are bleeding!"

& I got very worried because we had a looooong way to go & here Bo might need a bun operation.  But after a little beach towel repairs on his car seat, his buns recovered & we had a rather peaceful, long, trip to the gulf coast of Alabama.

We traveled with my family, my whole family...

and we had a blast!!!

Cruising with the dolphins,

Running on the beach,

Flying with the Blue Angels,

Splashing in the waves,

Running on the beach,

Enjoying their first foam party :),

Laying on the beach,

Souvenir shopping,

Ferris Wheel riding,

& sand castle building.

Did I mention running on the beach?

No...he never stopped :)

We laughed a ton.

We laughed at Kate's "Nature Girl's" tan,

and at Zadie on the go carts.

& even a little giggle over her hair:)

you didn't even KNOW I was so mean!

I just couldn't resist.

(Dear Lord, Please do NOT let this beautiful woman read my blog.)

We took LOTS of pictures:

And between EVERY SHOT I'd hear,

"We got a runner!"

and Kel would have to drag Rocco back for the next shot.

It looks like I love Annie the best but actually...

...she is the only one who would cooperate.

Mostly, it was just fun watching the kids enjoying themselves

and falling in love with the ocean,

Even if it did sting to get salt in your eye.

We had so much fun that when the week was done

we actually decided to stay an extra week.

And then we had to drive all the way home again.

Flat tire around hour 22.

Annie captured it all in her journal,

and I took over 2000 pictures.

So you see even if this is the longest post you have

ever read in your life,

I went easy on ya :)

But my next post will probably be our shark tale.