Camp MOM (and DAD)

We sent Ben off to Tomahawk Scout Reservation a few days ago (miss you Ben!) and in keeping with tradition, we've been having a bit of Camp MOM fun while he is away, and Dad got in on the activities this time as well.

Day 1-Saturday July 30

We started things off Saturday afternoon with letting Will and Charlie choose a movie to see.  Cars 2 was showing locally and Charlie was especially excited about that.

It was cute and clever and just right for little boys like Charlie.  Plenty of action!  Will and I enjoyed it as well.  And the Toy Story 3 short film at the start was worth the price of admission.  Love Toy Story!!  (Also: Kudos to Dad for staying awake for 3/4 of the movie!) 

In the evening Will and Charlie helped Steve BBQ and there was ice cream for dessert.

Day 2-Sunday July 31st

Sunday was warm and sunny and perfect for a family bike ride on the Gandy Dancer Trail. 

One of the many lakes the Gandy Dancer passes

Built on a former railroad corridor, this 98-mile interstate trail is named for the work crews who laid the railroad tracks. The crews used tools made by the Gandy Tool Company of Chicago. The crews were known to work by keeping their voices and the movement of their feet and tools in harmony. This manner of work led the crews to become known as "Gandy Dancers."

Enjoying the dappled sunlight and light breezes.

 We brought along a picnic lunch which we enjoyed at a trail rest area in the small town of Centuria.  

We took advantage of the lovely air-conditioned cabin-esque building. Thank you Wisconsin DNR!!

The front of the place has huge picture windows so we enjoyed watching all the (zero) happenings of downtown Centuria while we ate. Quiet place, Centuria.

 For the evening we grilled a deeelicious all-veggie dinner and enjoyed an evening on the porch.  Before bed the boys loaded up on Bullwinkle and Pink Panther cartoons until their eyes glazed over.  

Yeah, that's what Camp MOM is all about.






Day 3-Monday August 1st


Sometimes Camp MOM gets rained out.  Like today.  The weather was just not co-operative and we had to cancel our plans to picnic with our friends.

Boo to you steady-rain-all-day-long!

So we curled up on the couch to watch Despicable Me.

Hilarious movie!  Just great! 




Then we broke out the board games.  Oh how I love the board games. yawn.

Then there may or may not have been more Bullwinkle.  

Boy, Camp MOM is really going downhill these days!




Day 4-Tuesday August 2nd


Ice Cream!  We went into Downtown Smalltown to a small cafe that makes their own ice cream.  We picked out our flavors (White Chocolate Raspberry, Caramel Fudge and Andes Mint), paid and headed out the door when all of a sudden Charlie lost his grip on his cone!

Oh Noes!

It's a classic!  Child drops ice cream cone on ground, tears well up, the outing is ruined!




Well, not quite.  The owner dished up another scoop for Charlie, on the house, and this time in a bowl with a cone on the side.  Whew! Disaster averted!

Then the kids just hammed it up for me until we could stand the heat no more...

and retreated to the comfort of air-conditioning and TV.  Hey, don't judge.  It's hot out.

Thus concludes another installment of Camp MOM.  Stay tuned for news from Camp Navajo, where they make you stay outside all day, and do stuff.  Even if it is hot.