Around Here | July 2015

Wow, it's almost August. Say what?!

July has been a really full month for us. Nearly-every-square-filled-on-the-calendar-kind-of-month. 

It's been a month of playing and eating and camping and celebrating and watching movies and hiking and buying a few baby girl goodies and spending time with family and friends. 

We started the month off celebrating Fourth of July with old friends. It was HOT--totally to be expected in Sacramento in the summer--and Noah loved playing in the pool and eating ice cream. Later on in the evening, he waved sparklers around, and watched fireworks from his godfather Scot's lap. Brian and I had fun catching up with church friends whom we don't see much anymore now that we live in the foothills. 

Noah took swim lessons and gymnastics classes this month. He loved swimming, but wasn't quite sure about gymnastics. (He just wanted to jump in the ball pit, over and over again!)

I attended yoga three times in all--and twice by the river, which was such a treat. (Having a yoga buddy--my sister-in-law, Lori--the second time was great!)

Brian attended a Giants v. Mets game with some firefighter friends. (He was quite happy that night because the Mets won!)

Noah and I spent several mornings with friends at two local splash pads.

Brian and I took Noah to the movie theater for the first time, and he (well, we) loved it. Six thumbs up for Inside Out!

The three of us also tent camped for the first time this month, and we had a great time. Noah rode his Strider bike around the campground and campsite, and along the paved trail that wraps around the perimeter of Sugar Pine Reservoir. Brian and I both agreed that 3 1/2 years old is an absolutely perfect age to tent camp.

We tended to our growing vegetable plants, watering them each day and applying Miracle Gro once a week. Just this week, we harvested our first handful of cherry tomatoes and two yellow zucchinis, with -- fingers crossed -- lots more to come. Liquid fence for the win!

We celebrated Brian's cousin's nuptials in Old Sacramento. (A big thanks to Brian for keeping a close eye on Noah, so I could take photos during the ceremony and reception.)

We attended the Fast Fridays Speedway races in Auburn twice, and Noah loved it. As a kid, Brian attended the races on Friday nights with his family, and so it was really special for him to take Noah out there. (Just keeping it real: Speedway races are not my cup of tea, but it sure makes my boys happy.)

In our front yard last week, I spied a mama deer and her two babies. It's rare that we see twin fawns--and of course, with their white spots and wobbly legs--they are just the cutest!

We attended Brian's mom's family reunion last weekend in the San Joaquin Valley. There, we ate and swam and chatted and posed for photos and played a little basketball. Noah and his cousin, Sammy, loved eating at their very own kids' table! 

And as much as I enjoyed myself this month, there was a part of me, especially this past weekend, that longed for a slower pace...with more down time at home. Some time to just be in and around our home, puttering around in the yard or reading a book in the hammock or drawing hopscotch boxes on the driveway.  

Luckily, a new month starts soon, and August doesn't look to be nearly as busy as July has been. Phew!

Your turn: What are some of your memorable July moments?

Summer List 2015

Over the past few weeks, I've seen a number of summer manifestos online and in magazines. I liked this creative one by blogger Elise Blaha Cripe and this simple one from Ali Edwards. I always enjoy seeing other people's lists as well as creating my own summer list.

In fact, it's becoming a tradition of sorts; this is my fourth year making a list and posting it here on my blog. Here's a look at my previous summer lists: 2012, 2013, 2014.

Just like last year, I've written activities on our list that I think I'd like, Noah would like, and perhaps, Brian would like.

However, there's nothing that says all of us have to do every. single. activity. together.

And even though Noah is nearly a 3-1/2-year-old, (what?) there are a few "firsts" on the list -- like seeing a movie in the theater and taking private swim lessons.

This was the first year that Noah had a suggestion for our summer list. Here's the back story: A few weeks ago, he and I watched as a group of kids tossed water balloons back and forth at the park. He turned to me and said he really wanted to try it. I promised him we'd do it this summer, and as you'll see below, I added it to our summer list.  

In the past, I often felt like if I placed an item on the list, I HAD to check it off by Labor Day. That's not the case anymore. I just brainstorm a bunch of ideas, narrow the list down to 15 or less, and then go with it. If we don't get to one or two of the activities this summer, we can always do it in the fall, winter or even next summer.

Here's a look at our 2015 summer list:

Visit our local splash pad ✅ 

Take private swim lessons ✅

See a movie in the theater

Attend storytime at the library ✅ 

Participate in the library's summer reading program

Work on potty training

Attend Brian's cousin's wedding

Spend time with Noah's cousins

Go tent camping for the first time as a family

Play catch with water balloons

Attend a 4-week gymnastics class

Sell our rental home
Attend our county fair
Listen to some live music 
Finish decorating the nursery 

Your turn: What's on your summer list?

Camping at Bodega Dunes

Today, I'm back with a few more photos from our recent coastal camping trip.

If you missed the first post with Sunday's photos + words, click here.  

Because we arrived so late on Sunday, we didn't get a chance to head down to the beach until Monday morning. 

These four photos were taken at North Salmon Creek Beach, just minutes from Bodega Bay.

It was a nice, flat beach with lots of surfers catching waves nearby.  And the weather was beautiful--sunny and clear with just a slight breeze.         

Noah loved the water (no surprise there!).  So much so, in fact, that his jeans got soaked in mere minutes.  Brian rolled up his pants and Noah continued to kick and splash and jump and laugh.
 

Speaking of laughing, at times, I could hear Noah's squeals of delight even over the sound of the waves crashing.

When the water receded for a few moments, Noah could be found smacking his hands on the wet sand.  (Isn't the reflection in the sand so cool?  Pure serendipity.)   

Awww...my heart was so happy watching Noah and Brian play in the Pacific Ocean. 

Later on that day after Noah's nap, we decided to let Spud Point Crab Company provide us with dinner.  I'm not used to camping so close to civilization where dinner is just five minutes away.  Talk about a treat.  We ordered sandwiches (crab for Brian and shrimp for me) and of course, clam chowder.  Everything was delicious.  Noah's favorite part?  The soup crackers.  Smile.  

After dinner, it was off to explore the sand dunes again--this time with a sweatshirt, hood up, because of the fierce wind.  As you can see, Noah loved running down the trail!

At one point, I was able to run up ahead of Noah.  I looked at him and said, "Come and get me!" and then took off running.  I could hear him laughing in the distance.  After running for about fifteen seconds, I turned back and this is what I saw: pure delight on Noah's face as he chased me.

I love, love, love our fun and happy boy!

When the sand dunes got too steep for Noah to climb, Brian picked him up and carried him--either in his arms or on his shoulders.    

Once we were back in the campground, though, Noah was off walking and running and saying "hi" to the other campers.


There were lots of "firsts" on this trip: Noah's first time in the ocean; his first time camping in the dunes; and his first time sleeping through the night away from home (thank God!). 

But there's one more first I want to mention: Noah enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate. 

While sitting in the trailer, Brian lovingly made me a mug of hot cocoa (thanks, babe!) and of course, Noah wanted to try it.  So, Brian poured some in a cup for Noah (watering it down considerably), and then prepared a glass for himself.  

Before drinking our mugs of hot chocolate, the three of us clinked our glasses together and exclaimed "Cheers!"   

It was a toast to one another, to our little family, and to great memories made on this camping trip.    

 

Week in the Life 2013 | Sunday

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, we camped at Bodega Dunes.  It was our first time camping as a family near the Pacific Ocean, so naturally I took a ton of photos, both with my iPhone and DSLR. 

What follows is a look at Sunday's words + photos.  (I'm also planning to write a blog post about our adventures on Monday, but that probably won't happen until next week.)  


Sleeping in the truck on the way to Bodega Bay.  It took us almost four hours to get to the campground because of traffic from a car accident, a detour around a burning van, and a gas stop.  Noah didn't fall asleep until 4:15 pm, which was 3 hours and 45 minutes into our trip.  While Noah didn't sleep much in the truck, he did sleep pretty well that night, which was a huge blessing.  

 

Playing with cars in the trailer.

Watching daddy cook hamburgers.  (Brian did an awesome job planning and cooking nearly all of the meals!)   


 Exploring the sand dunes.


Walking.  Running.  Smiling.  (I don't know why, but in this particular photo, Noah looks so tall, so big, so toddler boyish.)

 
Saying "hi" to daddy in the campsite.




















Taking a night ride in the truck.   

Getting ready for bed.  "Nigh-nigh" as Noah says.

A big thanks to all of you who have come along with me on this Week in the Life documentary project.

Last week, I saw this sign (pictured below) in a local shop and immediately thought, That's what Week in the Life is to me. 

It's about slowing down a little.  It's about looking around at the people and activities and things surrounding me, and making a conscious choice to document them through photography and words.  It's about carving out time to think about what I'm happy with in my life.  It's about having the courage to consider what I'm not so happy with.  It's about being grateful for it all. 

I can't wait to participate again next year!

     

Week in the Life 2013 | Saturday

Hello again!

Here's a look at our Saturday in photos + words.

 
Waiting at the door for daddy.  {Lucy: almost 10; Noah: 20 months; Rudy: almost 8}

Taking my vitamins.     

 Packing for our upcoming camping trip. 

Looking forward to trying out this product, Sand-Off!  (Thanks for recommending this, Tina!)

Hanging my apple wreath on the front door.


Saying "No, thank you" and "Run, Noah, run" and "Good job" and "Boo" to Noah.

Hearing Noah say "No" and "I know" and "Owl" and "Elmo."

 Cheering on the Notre Dame football team.

Washing my face with this Avon cleanser.  I started using it about six months ago and I'm really pleased.  It's a great product, especially for a thirty-something like me who still gets breakouts. Did I mention it's only $5.49?  And you can order it directly through Avon's website.        

We're heading out on a short camping trip this afternoon, so look for my Sunday photos + words later on in the week. 

A Quick Camping Trip

During the last week of May, Brian, Noah, and I went camping at Sugar Pine Reservoir.

It was our first time camping as a family in the trailer, and while some parts of the trip were super fun, others were really challenging.

First up, the challenging parts:

• Our 17-month-old, Noah, only slept for three hours the first night and then didn't want to nap on the second day.  He eventually fell asleep when we went for a drive in the truck, but Brian and I were really tired and wanted to nap, too.  

• It was my first time staying in the trailer (Brian stayed in it during his guys' camping trip in April), so there was a bit of a learning curve.  How do I turn on each light?  How do I activate the pump so I have water?  Where is the aluminum foil?  How can we deadbolt the door so Noah doesn't accidentally fall out?  How do the two slides work?    

• Since Noah is constantly on-the-go now, one of us was on "Noah patrol," while the other person set up camp or cooked dinner or washed dishes--leaving little time to just sit and relax. 

On a more positive note:

• We scored a really nice campsite near the lake.  Definitely one of the perks that comes with being able to camp mid-week. 

•  Noah was a really "happy camper," despite not sleeping much at night.

• We got a chance to visit Morning Star, a nearby campground where my family and I stayed for three summers when I was a child.  I have so many wonderful memories there: swimming in the lake, walking on the log (and trying not to fall off), painting rocks, hiking, sleeping in tents, and (one year) getting rained out.  Still looks much the same, only now there are showers and a general store.     

• I toted my big camera around and snapped lots of photos, which always makes me happy.  Here's a look at some of my favorites:

Noah had fun checking out the camper.  He climbed the steps, walked all around it--and underneath it--and loved playing inside it.


Knock, knock.  Anyone home?!


We'd only just arrived and already Noah had "camping" dirt on his face.  Smile.  




Noah enjoyed standing on the wood blocks and turning the handle on the tongue jack.  He also played in the bear locker, watched the birds, and chased a ground squirrel. 
 
The first evening, we hung out in the trailer for a few minutes before bath time.  Brian and Noah played with some toy trucks on the sofa.  As I snapped this shot, Noah put his left hand up, made a fist and said, "Click!" mimicking the sound of my camera.  Apparently, it's something he hears quite a lot.  Smile.   

During bath time, the campground host, Jason, knocked on our trailer door.  Jason's dog had run a bear up a tree nearby.  (Earlier in the day, Jason had warned us that bears were coming into the campsites during the daytime searching for food.)  Brian, eager to see the bear in person, grabbed my camera and bolted out of the trailer.  Noah and I were perfectly content to stay in the trailer.  

The following day, we hiked around the reservoir, discovering several rope swings along the way. 

This is Noah's "I'm-tired-but-I'm-happy-because-I'm-outdoors" grin.      

Later on, after Noah's nap in the truck, he and Brian waded into the lake.  Noah was in heaven--being a huge water fan--even though it was quite cold.

I adore this shot of Noah playing in the sand.   

And these two shots are super fun, too. 

I can hear Noah giggling when I look at this photo.

And here's proof I was there.  Smile.  Love that this shot captures Noah in the backseat (facing forward now) as well as the truck and trailer.

We plan to camp again later this summer.  We're not sure when or where--but I'm hoping that Noah sleeps better.