Talk About The Weather

It has been a cool summer temperature-wise this year, but finally we had a day in the high 80's worthy of a trip to the beach.  Beautiful breezes kept us cool while we played in the water, and enjoyed a good book in the shade.

And since we're talking about the weather, Charlie had a chance to meet T.V. meteorologist Lauren Casey at our local library! Charlie is my in-house weather expert, and he was very excited to meet her. She even signed his weather guidebook!

WISE Kids-The Next Generation.

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times, we are so lucky to live so close to a wonderful state park with such great programs!  For years the boys attended Nature Story Time with Naturalist Julie, and as each one has outgrown the program, they have moved on to WISE Kids.  Today was the start of the 2014 edition of WISE, with Charlie being the last of my boys left in the program.  

Today the kids hiked on Horizon Rock Trail...

...down Tallus Slope Trail

 and onto Meadow Valley Trail, with a stop at "The Squeeze" and a little rock humor.

"The Squeeze" is simply a narrow rock passageway, fun to squeeze through for kids and adults alike.

 And here Charlie is picking the nose of a rock formation. Always time for gross humor on a hike!

 

Another successful WISE Kids adventure!

At The Park

You're never too old for the swings...

Water In The Park

It was overcast and a bit rainy, but that didn't stop the kids from having fun at the water park yesterday.  We were celebrating three birthdays in the family; sibling cousins all with late August birthdays.

These Munchkins are turning 3 this year.  They actually share a birthday with my Charlie.

And this Guy, my Faaaaaavorite nephew (but shhh don't tell the others), is turning 7.

This is a great little water park right in the heart of the inner city.  Small enough to keep track of everyone, yet providing plenty for kids big and small.

And most importantly, my sister in law had some fantastic cupcakes on hand. My Mom and Charlie show off their ladybug cupcakes (there was a cherry in the center!!)....

...while Grandpa David, my brother Mike and I contemplate the animal on our desserts. After throwing out moose and camel, we finally decided on Giraffe.  So very cute and so very tasty; peanut butter frosting and a chocolate center.

And just because, here's a cute shot of me and my brother.

The end.

Last Days of Summer

Carefree summer days with friends...

On Land

In the water

On the water

In the sky

At The Pool

Free admission at a small nearby pool every Wednesday for the locals.  Never too crowded, and the perfect way for friends to pass the time and keep cool on such a beautiful, beautiful day!

Proof Of Nice Weather

We had a few 80 degree days recently, just a teaser of much anticipated summer weather. We took advantage of one of those days and went on a wonderful hike with some friends at a State Park we had never visited before. Our trail ended at a cooling waterfall and my children gave me (more) gray hairs by navigating slippery rock stairs to reach their destination. They did walk under the falls, but not all the way through because "I didn't want you to worry too much, Mom". So thoughtful. Here's a shot of Ben and friend preparing to go in. Much of the time they held their hands over their ears, the roar of the water was so loud!

On The Swing

Photo Credit: Ben

Crabby About Summer And Yet...

...here we are back at camp MOM again! We have been shuttling Ben back and forth to Ultimate Wilderness Survival camp this week. He's having a great time and learning lots of cool tricks for when Steve and I leave him out in the woods with only a crust of bread in his pocket.


This camp is far enough from our house that I don't necessarily want to travel back home after dropping him off, so Will, Chaz and I have been amusing ourselves at state and county parks near where Ben is spending his days.

Our first day we went to this newly opened park reserve where Will demonstrated just what a monkey he is.


And a dip in the reserve lake was the perfect way to cool off afterward.

Another of our adventures found us at a local state park for a day,

where we took a beautiful hike along the river.

I love this one and can't wait to get it printed and framed!


Here is Charlie with a handful of acorns and pinecones. No matter how many times I tell him which is which, he still mixes them up. I know someday shockingly soon he'll get it right and it will be another one of those adorable kidisms that I will miss so much!


Stopping along the trail to dip our toes in a creek. Cold and refreshing!

A shot of me just to prove I was there!


After we finished up our hike, we headed to another fantastic lake.
Can this boy's hair be any more blond?

And tell me, is this little boy going to grow up to be a heart-breaker, or what? I absolutely love this picture of Will.

One last stop at the visitor's center just to have a looksie. Charlie thought this fishing cutout thingy was the most hilarious thing he had ever seen.


It would have been an absolutely perfect day except Will got attacked by a barred owl at the last second. Why is it my whole family thinks it is hilarious to pretend to be attacked by taxidermied wild animals?


Ok. I'm bushed. Time for a cozy cup of tea and a quiet moment of thankful reflection on our day. Back at it tomorrow!