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The husband and I took the boys camping this weekend and we met this awesome dog. After admiring him and making sure we would not lose a limb approaching, Joel reached out to pet him and he immediately flopped down, rolled over, ratcheted the leg up and begged him not to stop. Many of the "seasonal" campers had dogs, but most weighed in at less than 15 pounds! This big guy is obviously king of the poundage.
Well, mostly happy. Derek got in the way of the hose and is a bit disgruntled over being wet. Naturally Michael and Caylie think this is hilarious. Ah, to be a kid again. We had a busy morning, so Caylie came down to help. It is one of those perfect weather days where you just wish all summer days could be so great. The summer weather has been pretty good here, actually, and the garden produce (and weeds!) are growing by leaps and bounds.
Michael picked a carrot for the bunnies to share. These are quite yummy, so I don't share many with the critters!
Derek wanted me to include this picture of him yesterday with a rubber Python. What is it with boys and reptiles??
The "BEE TREE" Fun Run was a smashing success with volunteer teacher Mrs. Foley leading the way as the BEE!
"FiFi the Clown" with some of her masterpieces!
Horse power was the mode of transportation for the day. Shown here is Jacob as he heads a team of his Uncle's Percheron while passengers get on and off the wagon.
These happy kids sold lemonade and freezie pops raising over $200.00 for the "Make A Wish" Foundation!
"Lark the Clown" folded balloons into every shape imaginable and paused for a smile with this decorated Meteor Festival visitor.
It's a warm one today, so I took the neighbor kids and the boys down for a dip in the river. We camped in our own back yard this weekend. We have acreage back by the river and it makes for a perfect personal campground. The weather this weekend was awesome! To further our adventures we took a three hour canoe ride down the Coldwater River, driving upriver to the starting point and ending up at our house. My blood pressure was up and down for the trip as we sailed through smooth water with no trouble, but without fail, as soon as the current went faster, trees were down left and right to navigate around. The husband ended up in the river at one point, but miraculously the boys and I stayed in the canoe!
Living so simply has such a peace about it. (Well, when you aren't in a canoe in a river swollen from recent rains.) I picked wild black raspberries for pancakes on the griddle for breakfast. Cowboy coffee and bacon on the camp fire. Mmmm. Smores for all three meals. Cherry pies made with buttered bread and cherry pie filling in those camp pie maker things. There is something to be said for anticipation. Collecting firewood, waiting for coals to be ready for cooking, slow cooking food, percolating coffee...the wait makes the food taste better. All that contemplating on how good it is going to taste, taking in the aroma of the food and camp fire as it cooks. No tv, no phone, no electronics; forcing the family to work and be together. What a concept! The Amish might be on to something.
This was home for a few days over the weekend. Other than a short rain shower, the weather was perfect. We had a great spot with only one neighbor on the back side. The boys had a tent pitched just off to the left. We ate our meals cooked on the campfire and it was sure yummy. We swam, fished, went out in the canoe and had a late night trek through the woods where we saw a doe up close and personal.The boys played and swam non-stop. The husband and I took plenty of stops.
It occurred to me out here just how little one needs to get by and what peace comes from it. No phone intruding, the family talking and playing games together, walking together. Without the electronic intrusions, you reconnect as a family, as it should be. So I am home now, de-cluttering and getting life as simple as it can be.
