Lena is EIGHT!

While the big day didn't go exactly as expected, Lena is officially EIGHT, and that is GREAT!

Arriving at the end of a week of snow, ice, and sickness, we had to pivot a bit on our plans, but the day was GREAT nonetheless and full of some of the birthday girl's favorites.

Cozy on a cold day

Lena, our girl who knows what she wants, definitely has some favorites. It is not just whimsical language to say that she gets lost in a book. No, she literally focuses so intently on her book du jour that it requires getting right up in her face to rouse her even for food or sleep. Most of the time, this is GREAT for our family of readers, although books do occasionally land in "book timeout."

She also still has an affinity for art of all kinds, particularly drawing and dancing. Lena continues to gracefully dance her way through ballet class and once again took to the Nut Remix stage, this year as a soldier. As usual, it was a GREAT performance. 

It should come as no surprise that Lena is doing GREAT in the second grade. She saves most of her big emotions for home and consistently receives top marks in both grades and conduct, of which we are very proud. She also has a GREAT group of friends who share her love of pretend games and "scooter gangs" at the park.

The original plan for her birthday was that we would celebrate with that group of friends after school, but the weather had different plans. We all spent the week prior at home due to snow and then ice. But, honestly, the snow days were a blessing because both Lena and Elsa were sick with presumably the flu the entire time anyway. 

By the time her birthday rolled around on Friday, Lena was feeling well enough to enjoy a birthday breakfast of homemade donuts and bacon. We then put on all the clothes to go outside for a bit of sledding at the park, so everyone did get to enjoy the snow a bit after all. Back inside, Lena enjoyed some art time and more cozy reading time in front of the fire. All in her birthday pajamas, of course.

Still plenty of snow to enjoy

We opted to postpone the birthday dinner out and instead had a movie night with snacks, the highlight being our inaugural use of Grandma's Stir Crazy to make popcorn. Lena chose to watch the "original" 90s version of Beauty and the Beast, which surprisingly the kids had never seen. Lena also opened some GREAT presents and enjoyed some brownies homemade by Elsa. All in all, it turned out to be a GREAT day.

Postscript: We did make it out for Lena's steak dinner (the girl has expensive taste!) the next night, and we did make up the birthday party the following week. It was quite the parade of second graders marching to our house after school. Fortunately the weather was favorable for lots of time at the park before pizza and a movie (and more Stir Crazy action). Against our better judgment, we also loaded everyone up with an 8-shaped cake and ice cream as well. Lena does have a GREAT group of friends, but she's not wrong when she says they're also crazy (like the popcorn popper!). Everyone had fun, though, and it was a GREAT way to celebrate turning EIGHT!  

 

Erik is FOUR!

I recently read something online (check out Bunmi Laditan, the Honest Toddler lady) that described the age of four as "...a handful, albeit a smart and funny one. Fours are threes with intensity and vision." This definition perfectly describes our "four-nado" and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Erik continues to be a big boy but also has done some impressive growing in other areas as well. He has plenty to say--a lot of things are "amazing"--yet he is also quite perceptive. Jon says that he is a good foil to his sisters' plans, and while he is becoming an expert at the annoying little brother role, he is also very sweet with all members of the family. When he's not wrestling with his dad, that is.

He has upped his preschool attendance to three days a week and seems to genuinely enjoy it. This schedule still leaves us plenty of time for adventure. Now that naps have become sporadic (and pretty much non-existent at home), we've had plenty of zoo and children's museum trips in addition to all of the digging in the yard and playing on the deck. I'm truly impressed at Erik's ability to focus and entertain himself in this way.

Erik has big plans. As his birthday approached, he eagerly shared all the things that he will be able to do when he turned four, most of which were pretty reasonable. I am a little worried for the future, however, as he claims that he will be able to use a nail gun at six and drive a car at eight.

Despite a rocky start of waking up with a bit of a cough, Erik's birthday celebration began in earnest at school as he partied with his classmates...and homemade donuts. We were so relieved that he rallied to enjoy the day at school as well as hunting for treats at the neighbor's and playing with a "car house" that Elsa constructed for him. The day was beautiful, so there was plenty of outside time before pizza for dinner. 

Don't worry--we still made time for the sheep photo

We came home for cake and ice cream, and then it was time for presents. Erik's expressiveness was truly on display as he exclaimed after opening every gift: "what I always wanted!" The joy on his face was, well, amazing. After all this excitement, we expected a big reaction to our gift: tickets to the Hot Wheels Monster Truck Glow Party (that just happened to be in town that very weekend). Jon showed him a video and told him that he would get to go see the show...to which Erik very matter-of-factly replied, "Yup." This kid.

In between his actual birthday and the monster truck show, we celebrated some more with friends at the park. It was a very low-key affair that took advantage of a beautiful day, the highlight being a piñata (filled with Halloween candy collected a couple of days earlier). Never mind that Lena nearly took him out with a baseball bat.

Erik finished out his birthday weekend with Jon at the aforementioned monster truck show. With a beginning like that, the fours are off to a great start!

Living the dream

When in Doubt, Go Camping!

Even though Jon has been officially retired from the Army for awhile now, we still plan vacations with a military mentality...meaning we don't. It can be so frustrating to plan something and then have to cancel due to a last-minute training or mission, so we've become very good at waiting to settle on plans (much to my chagrin).

Fall break this year was no different. We knew we wanted to do something with the week the kids were out of school, but since I still had to teach in the middle of the week and since fall is such a busy time, we never got around to figuring it out in a timely fashion.

But never ones to back down from hastily put together plans, we decided to go camping. We opted to return to the Mountain View, Arkansas/Blanchard Springs area because it was a familiar destination. We'd never camped there and had always wanted to, so this seemed the perfect opportunity.

A bonus was that the Blanchard Springs campground didn't take reservations, so it wasn't like we were behind in that area. Thus, as soon as we could, we packed up the car (our camping prep is pretty streamlined these days) and set out.

All was going great...until we reached the turn-off for the campground and came across a giant sign that said "CAMPGROUND FULL." Being from the Show-Me-State, I was going to need to see this for myself, so we continued on. Inexplicably, several of the lower campgrounds were blocked off with caution tape (due to past/future flooding?). When we reached the upper campground, we found that it was indeed full. 

There were some smaller handwritten signs directing guests to a wedding, so we surmised that perhaps that is why every single site was taken. We stopped to re-group--getting to see some of the wedding photos being taken while we were there--and re-assess. The kids did a little exploring while we figured everything out. 

Jon knew about some more primitive campsites a little farther up the road, so we thought we'd try our luck there. With fingers crossed, we turned into a different camping area and found the most beautiful site tucked away by a bluff. The primitive part of the site was the pit toilet, but we've camped with pit toilets before, so we put up the tent and settled in. It proved to be much more scenic and much more private, so it actually worked out much better than our original (non)plan anyway.

What a view!

Being October, the mornings were starting to grow chilly, but Jon gamely woke up early on the first day and fulfilled a dream of taking Erik fishing. The venture was worth it as Erik caught his very first fish! As usual, the dad who did all the work didn't catch anything, but it was exciting nonetheless, and provided a tasty addition to our dinner. Erik wasn't so sure at first, but once he tried it, he was hooked (see what I did there?).

What a catch!

That day also included a hike full of cool rock formations and interesting bugs. The kids even got to splash around in the water for a bit at the end.

So many rocks to climb

Carrying a katydid

Cooling off after the hike

The biggest adventure of the trip was a double canoe trip down the Buffalo River. Having survived the endeavor, I will say that Jon greatly overestimated my ability to pilot a canoe. I have ridden in our canoe many times, but since our growing family no longer fits comfortably in one boat, we had to split up, meaning that I would be in charge of steering a canoe. Elsa and I paddled in one while Jon and the littles paddled in the other. I never really doubted our ability to make it...but it was hard work! (I am very glad Elsa inherited Jon's upper-body strength and not mine.) I was very thankful to see the shore where the outfitting company was waiting for our boats.

We had another relaxing evening by the campfire, and then it was time to pack up and head back to civilization. I taught my classes the next day and then had a little bit more fall break fun with the kids before getting back to reality. 

Mountain Living

For the second year in a row, we stitched a small family vacation on to our annual Washington trip. This year's destination was not as ambitious as last year's trip up the Oregon coast, but our time in the mountains did not disappoint. We first spent a few days at a cabin near Leavenworth. This Bavarian-themed town has called to us numerous times over the years, but this may have been our first summer trip. We also didn't spend much time in the actual town (maybe a little been-there-done-that?) but rather explored the surrounding areas.

Obligatory tourist photo in Leavenworth

Our cabin was great, and just the perfect size for us. Plus, it had an amazing backyard full of toys and activities--if you've never played "hard soccer" (which I guarantee you haven't since the kids made it up), then you haven't lived. So many giggles! There was also a pond with some kid-sized kayaks (that Jon and I immediately tipped), so needless to say, we didn't need to venture too far to have a good time.

The girls were much more proficient at the kayaks than Jon and I were

We did go on a hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Wenatchee National Forest, however. Our crew are generally good hikers, although the way down was much quicker than the way up...with a lot less complaining.

We had planned a couple of activities for the next day: horseback riding and tubing. The former was a bust as there was a mix-up with the reservation, but we salvaged the day by finding a winery in the woods. Parent achievement unlocked! (Never mind that the fizzy wine we purchased exploded in the trunk of the rental car.)

Tubing down Icicle Creek was not a bust and definitely a highlight of the trip. It was a gentle float, so everyone could go, and since it was self-paced, we were able to splash around and explore on the shore.

Ready to float!

                 

When it was time to head north to visit family, we took the scenic route, stopping several times on the Cascade Loop. We were definitely in the mountains. 

Snow...in the summer?

An unexpected surprise was swimming in Lake Chelan. I have never swam in such a clear lake. We effectively tired everyone out enough for the rest of the drive.

Checking out Lake Chelan before taking the plunge

Short and sweet was our mountain vacation, but it was a great mix of relaxation and adventure.

Legacy

My grandma was laid to rest on her 95th birthday.

It still feels surreal to write that. 

It also feels strange to say that we were surprised. At 94, the past several years had been difficult for many reasons, but still, hearing the news that Grandma had passed away was a jolt. I nearly wrote that you're never ready...but Grandma was. We lost my grandpa--the love of her life--way too soon, and since then, Grandma awaited the day they would be reunited.

What a reunion that surely was! While none of us left behind can truly know what lies on the other side, I feel confident that Grandpa was waiting for her with open arms and that the two of them danced the polka to end all polkas.

The stories and memories are too many to recount in this space, but my family has been sharing plenty of gems amongst ourselves. That reconnection with my cousins especially has been such a gift in a sad time. What stands out the most from all the memories are the little ways Grandma showed her love for us, and I hope that legacy is what we all carry on. Love of faith and family.

The last time the majority of us got together was when we celebrated Grandma's 90th birthday. At the time, Grandma said it felt like she had died and gone to heaven. Now that she has, I believe that she was looking down at all of us and smiling. All two children, ten grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren. A true testament to a beautiful love.

We love you, Grandma. Happy Heavenly Birthday!   

Elsa is TEN!

This year was the birthday Elsa has been waiting her entire life for. 

Elsa turned ten years old on May 10th. Ordinarily, the first double-digit birthday is a pretty big milestone, but when it is also a Golden Birthday? Magical.

Even just the idea of turning ten seems to have resulted in an increase of maturity and insight (with maybe a hint of the attitude and emotions that accompany that growth). Whether we are ready for it or not, Elsa is growing up.

4th grade has been a big leap for her and her classmates as this was the first year they changed classes and had to navigate having multiple teachers. Yet it came as no surprise that Elsa continued to do very well in school. 

She also added to her responsibilities by picking up a couple of new activities this year in addition to ballet and another amazing Nut Remix performance. Elsa participated in her school's chorus (early morning rehearsals took some getting used to) and played her first season of church league basketball. I was particularly delighted that not only did Elsa choose basketball, but also that she proved to be pretty aggressive on the court. (The added bonus was that she didn't seem to mind that I'm a loud sports mom.)

Even with these new commitments, there has still been plenty of time for reading, playing at the park, and riding bikes. And thankfully, the elaborate games of pretend with her sister, brother, and friends have continued as well.

After all the anticipation, suddenly Elsa's Golden Birthday was upon us. May 10th was a Wednesday, so the bulk of the celebrating would occur over the weekend, but there were still some traditions to attend to. Little Sister was so excited that she stayed up late to help decorate and woke up early to be the first to give Elsa a gift. 

The birthday breakfast of choice was fried eggs (from our chickens!) and was followed by the customary socks-underwear-book gift and birthday call from Grandma. Elsa celebrated at school and then passed the time during her sister's ballet class with the annual sheep photo shoot.

When did she get so long?

The birthday girl requested duck at our neighborhood Chinese restaurant as usual, but this year, we actually ate there, which made dinner much more festive. We came home with time for family gifts (thank you!) and macaron treats.

A fun day to be sure, but the big fun happened over the weekend when Elsa hosted her first sleepover. Four of Elsa's friends joined us for the night, and it was everything you'd might expect. Well, it was what I expected. I think Jon was a little overwhelmed.

Elsa and the As--all four guests have names that begin with "A," making them sound like a rock band--did all the traditional slumber party activities down to their hilarious attempts at "Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board." They stayed up way too late and got up way too early, but they had so much fun. I may regret saying this later, but I would be happy to host such a sweet group anytime.

And if that wasn't enough, Elsa finally received the gift she'd been anticipating for years: getting her ears pierced. One of the friends from the party talked her mom into letting her get her ears pierced as well, so Elsa got to share the experience with her, which was really special.

Two brand-new holes in her head

The entire birthday affair was really special. After all, Golden Birthdays only occur once in a lifetime.  

"Skunk, Be Gone!" or Our Camping Trip to the Land Between the Lakes

Well, we did it again. We got our kids and our families excited about a spring break trip out west...only to cancel before we even started to plan. I don't know what we were thinking, but I do know that paying a spring break premium for airfare--five times more than normal--made that trip infeasible.

Luckily for us, we were once again able to salvage our week off of school/work for an epic camping trip to the Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. Epic because the trip was great, but also because we came up with the idea before checking the weather.

Springtime in this part of the world is nothing short of unreliable, so while it had been starting to warm up, the week of spring break was shaping up to be unseasonably cold. However, we are stubborn people, so once we decided to camp, there was no turning back. Plus, I think we sort of viewed cold-weather camping as a challenge.

The last time we camped in sub-freezing (barely) temperatures, we were only kind of prepared, so we vowed that this time would be different. Jon was giddy to break out all the cold-weather gear he had stashed away, and I got to work gathering all the wool and layers we could find.

We set off on a Tuesday, making decent enough time that we didn't have to set up camp in the dark (which is unusual for us). Due to its proximity to both the playground and the bathroom, our campsite was actually located in the RV area, and I'm sure we stood out quite a bit in our tent. However, since it was early in the week, there weren't a lot of people camping yet anyway. 

Home sweet home

Even though we had everything set up in the daylight, by the time we found firewood, let the kids go back to the playground while we cooked, and then actually ate dinner, it was starting to get dark and cold. We knew that the first night was forecast to be the coldest, and it did not disappoint. Add in some overtired kiddos, and that walk to the bathroom was long.

Until we saw the skunk.

I had never seen a real skunk in the wild before. Sure, I've smelled roadkill remains plenty of times, and I still love to tell the story of the time when my grandpa--who lost his sense of smell as he got older--didn't know when his dog got sprayed, but this was the first time I'd encountered one for real. It didn't take long for me to realize that this skunk had the capacity to ruin our camping trip. The kids did great, though, and stopped in their tracks, not making a sound, until the skunk scampered away.

When Jon mentioned our wildlife sighting to the ranger the next day, she said that there were skunks all over the campground, but they were generally harmless unless provoked. So, for the rest of the trip, we were on "skunk watch."

We made it through the cold first night, relatively uneventfully, although we did hear our skunky friend trying to go through the trash (which we had suspended in the air), and I did have keep making sure that the kids weren't suffocating themselves by burrowing down too deeply in their toasty sleeping bags.

Snug as a bug in a rug

Our resident Boy Scout Jon determined that it was safe to use our mini propane heater inside the tent for short periods of time, and I, for one, was so grateful to have a heat source available first thing in the morning to take the edge off the cold. (I may or may not have stayed in the tent a little longer than I should have...)

Before we started camping semi-regularly, I had always wondered what people do all day while camping. I actually still wonder, but somehow we always manage to fill our days anyway. On this trip, we found plenty of local activities, but we also just spent a lot of time hanging out at the campsite. The kids were pretty good about keeping themselves occupied, and that fire didn't build or tend itself.

On our first full day, we did eventually head out with some fishing poles. It brought back fond memories for me of impatient kids who couldn't help but cast and reel it back in constantly and a dad who spent 90% of his time untangling line. We didn't catch anything, but it was nice to be outside. We rounded out the day with a short hike in the woods and then back for dinner and s'mores.

Here, fishy-fishy!

It was a little bit warmer the next day, and we managed to leave a little earlier as well. We spent quite a bit of time at the Woodlands Nature Station. It was a cool nature center that had some indoor exhibits, including a play area, but also an outdoor viewing area with many rescue birds and other animals. Our little turkeys fit right in.

Meeting his match

We had lots of campfire time that night after another futile attempt at fishing. Jon had aspirations of getting up early the next day to fish solo, but the weather thwarted that plan. Being in a tent while it is raining is always a bit unsettling, but we were nice and dry all night. It did stop raining the next day, but that rain brought with it some cooler temperatures again, so we planned some indoor activities for our last full day.

Our first stop was the Elk and Bison Prairie, a drive-through preserve. We initially resigned ourselves to not seeing any animals and got excited when we glimpsed some bison from afar. But then, as we traveled along the path, we noticed several cars that had stopped in front of us. As we got closer, we realized that they were watching a herd of elk just off the road. So cool!

Elk sighting

Stop #2 was the Golden Pond Planetarium. Not only was the show we watched very interesting, it was also nice to get a break from the chilly wind. Erik took advantage of the cozy dark room and even took a nap! We paused for a picnic lunch before our final tourist destination of the day: the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm. Jon and I jokingly called it "Missouri Town" all day.

Since it was St. Patrick's Day, they had set up a scavenger hunt, which encouraged us to check out all the different buildings. It is not surprising, however, that the highlight for us was the livestock, especially the chickens. We happened to be there toward the end of their day, so the docent invited the kids to help put the animals to bed, which they greatly enjoyed.

Literally carrying a bucket of chicken

We celebrated our day by having dinner at a restaurant in town, and we were definitely in vacation mode because we agreed to a ridiculous dessert.

Vacation sundae!

It was way past time for bed when we returned to the campsite. Familiar with our surroundings by this point, we sent the girls ahead of us to the bathroom. As Jon, Erik, and I were walking back, the girls ran up the path to us out of breath, telling us about a skunk that had invaded our site in the five minutes we were gone.

Even though they were a little scared, the girls did a great job of staying calm. Jon tried a couple of tactics to shoo away the skunk, who by this point was trying to nose through the trash. As a last resort, he called out in a booming voice, "Skunk, be gone!" And you know what--it worked. We all collapsed into giggles as the skunk trotted away.

The only thing left to do the following morning was to pack up our campsite. As we loaded the last items into--and onto--the car, there was a definite feeling of accomplishment and survival. We'd done it! The only thing left to do was celebrate with a giant breakfast at a diner on our way out of town.