Ridge's First Swing

We laughed 1,000 laughs during our friend camping trip. First-swings are one of my favorite firsts with my babies, and Ridge did not disappoint. 

He rocked about 2 feet back and forth and cackled. Every time he came down, he looked like the pictures people have of them coming down the roller coaster hill.  

Allison and I were rolling! We were wrapped up in fits of laughter. 

Enough was enough and Ridge got busy doing what he does so well: tasted it. 

Camping With Friends

We felt a level of joy and relaxation this weekend that filled us to the brim. We went camping with friends. We've always talked about how much fun it would be to bring some friends with us. When I realized that the campsite next to us was available, I sent out some texts and gathered some people. 

I HAD TO bring my camera, because what's the point of having fun if there aren't a slew of pictures taken? Thankfully, my friends are artsy and like taking pictures and capturing good moments, so they would pick up my camera and grab a few pictures as well. Here are some great moments with a few captions:

Our kids didn't mind that Everett was younger. They took them under their wing and included him on everything-from camping cheetos to chasing deer.

Burl got a lantern, his notebook, and his pencil because he wanted to practice his letters. He took a break to help E with his glow stick necklace. 

Pierce did great on his first camping trip. He slept well and got very dirty.

Stroller gang was in full effect in the woods.

This might be my favorite picture from the trip. Jenny took this when we were all sitting by the fire, enjoying bacon, eggs, and coffee. Waking up in the woods, surrounded by friends and babies, is my personal utopia. 

Babies on daddies is such a beautiful thing. Everyone enjoyed a small hiking break beside the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.

Everett busted out of his baby carrier and braved the trails. Sweet Burl was right there helping him navigate the rocky ground. 

Shirtless, cutoff, big stick Burl is one of my favorite Burls. 

These kids made a game of drawing funny pictures for each other and exploded into fits of laughter every time. (Also seen: Allison brought flowers and a cute tablecloth. She's my car-camping kindred spirit.)

Ridge finally got to rock our smallest pair of carhartt overalls. He and Burl wore them at four months, while Fern rocked them until she was 10 months. 

Anyone who has vacationed with friends knows they level of sharing that goes on in those days: sharing food, sharing gear, sharing parenting, sharing stories, and sharing space. (I'm one sweet moment away from moving into communal living.) I'm all about some sharing, and to do that in the middle of woods is a picture of heaven for me. I'm still buzzing off the whole weekend. It was a great break from living by a clock and routine for us. 

Is it clear that I had fun? Put another way: if I had some of Tinkerbell's fairy dust, then I would fly away with all my happy thoughts. {leprechaun kick}

Lately,

Lately, I've been filling up my iPhone memory, because 1,000 pictures isn't enough. Here's a few good moments from our ordinary, not exciting life that I found fun:

I realized that every time I've had a transition with my children, one of my brothers has lived with us. This first month of kindergarten, Daniel has been here and we're about to lose him to Oregon again. It's been great having him here to add to the fun and playfulness. 

Ridge has major eyes for his big sister, and she gets it. She has her own baby voice just for Burl. Yesterday I heard her say, "bless your heart, Ridge." Little Mama is doing her thing.  

I'm crushing it in the kitchen lately, if I do say so myself. I finally made a Thai coconut soup that was delicious.  

I get the biggest lump in my throat when I catch Fern playing by herself when Burl is at kindergarten. She has always been good at playing on her own, but it seems pitiful now that the option is gone. The den should be covered with pillows and blankets and 1/2 the toys from their room! 

Another fun Daniel moment...we take a walk to the bakery after early morning drop off.  

Two uncles. Three kids. One really awesome drop off.  

She asked to sit on my bed and look at the American Girl magazine with her. Oh we dished about it together-the beach page was our favorite! 

John gave his hand at baguettes. He said they were ugly, but he's going to try again. A husband who has taken up baking as a hobby. BLESSED! 

I'm saving all these because I'm in love. R is for Rocket and this is the coolest dang picture in all the land!  

Fern snapped this picture of me without me knowing. If I had to guess, then I would say that my children will have strong memories of me half-bent over the kitchen sink. 

This kindergarten thing has me reprocessing all of my childhood and it's really heavy stuff. Thankfully, my girl, Lauren, lunched with me at the wonderful tiny greek restaurant. It was adorable and felt like we were in Greece for an afternoon.  

I happened upon this book and started it without knowing much about it. It's blowing me away because it's getting me and where I am with stuff right now. This will definitely come up in counseling! 

When times are heavy, I look for fun times and there's no more fun than a concert with these girls. Concerts and youth group are two places that I can use a lot of rowdy energy. I can act a crazy fool and it's so much fun! 

Burl had a round on the BB gun with his Big Daddy and did very well with the LARGE target.  

We might have put the TV away but we still introduced Ridge to baby Einstein on youtube. Four months old and he gets it.  

Aaaaand, big news: he can sit up, sort of. It's more like he's stuck in the folded position, but it's still as cute as can be. 

Finally, John and Daniel making homemade pizzas for dinner. It was only 11 years ago that John was helping Daniel with his tie before prom. 

The End.

I've always enjoyed sharing my life here, even though it is.nothing.special. Thank you for coming here and reading my blog. Hopefully I'll update more often than I have lately, so check back if you're interested. 

Fern's First "School" Day

Fern started "school" one day a week, and she could not love it more. She was ready and beyond excited. She woke up easily, did her chores, got ready, and was begging to go an hour before we had to leave. 

 

We really had some role reversals with school. Even though she's shy 99% of new situations, Fern was confident and eager to get to school and get going. I was completely amazed at how well she did! She loved it.  

Because I don't know what to do with myself, I got her some treats to welcome her home. She loved her surprises and told us all about her day-down to how other girls styled their hair. 

The best part is when she comes home and tells me all about her day in detail. Fern is a sweet girl, and I'm beyond thrilled that she has a day to go to school and that she loves it as much as she does.