Camping & Fi-hur

Ahh. Nature. The fresh air, the trees, the chirping of bugs, the crackle of the fire. We love all these things. And this would be our boys' first trip out into the great outdoors for an overnight trip. We've camped in the playroom, in the backyard, but not out in the wild.

Early yesterday morning we loaded up and stormed the mountains in search of the perfect spot to turn into our outdoor home away from home. Our requirements are not much: a flat level space with some shade and ideally near a river.

And good fire pit to make our fi-hur. K loves to micromanage the hell out of a fire, and this camping spot we found had a great place to just so. We had to scout for some more rocks to finish the fire circle, but in no time we had a fire going.

 I wandered about taking pictures for my science classes, which I know my students will just appreciate soooo much. (slight sarcasm). I had fun, though,

 We settled in for lunch.

 Let the fire grow.

 Got the tent ready. She's a 7 man tent, but I don't know who makes those guidelines, because we had two adults, 2 kids and a pint sized dog and that felt plenty cozy.

 And settled in for a brewski.

 Explored more and waited for our friends to arrive.

The friends on whom we were waiting were our long time camping buddies, and for each set of parents it was the first time camping with kids. All the kids did really well, especially when they learned there were s'mores at the end of the night. A good portion of the last few hours of daylight was spent searching for the perfect marshmallow roasting stick. 

 Halfway into roasting marshmallows I looked down and Obi had decided that this business of laying on dirt was buuuuuulshit, and he called dibs on a kid's chair.

 The boy whose chair was taken didn't even notice, he was deep into a s'more fest.

A great first camping trip, and I'm already considering a next one.

Games with the Grands

I'm on a roll with my posts, so let's keep the ball rolling. No telling when my motivation to post will plummet.

Mid August we had a quick visit from the Grands, GG and Grampie, who are always willing to play some games. We've come a long way in our game playing ability. Fits are minimal and we can almost play this particular game with the proper rules. 

 

Obi got into the game playing spirit and had a good time with the balloons scattered about. Why there were balloons scattered about I cannot even remember.

I was lucky to marry into a family that didn't blink twice when I said "I have to collect some frogs to take to school tomorrow", but instead just headed out and gathered up critters. Here is GG and the boys, stalking some young frogs.

Obi was out there too, but on a leash. He hasn't earned off-leash priveledges yet. Check out our biotic and abiotic factors on the container!

Man I love this dog. We are still bonding, and I miss our other two terribly, but this guy is quickly working a way into our hearsts.

Check out the snail on the shell. Neat. That snail is still loose in my classroom, presumed to be dead.

Thanks GG and Grampie! For the visit and for gathering materials. My students loved the lab.

35 and counting

I can't lie, I know how to plan a good birthday.

First, "kidnap" birthday person when he leaves his work.

Take him to the local newly redone botanical gardens, where, as luck would have it, the sunlight is magically pouring through the trees, and there is a cash bar. I kid you not. Pose with pumpkins, scarecrows, and magical plant sculptures.

Do your best to get decent smiles.

 "OOOOH, MOMMA, get a picture with me and Ariel".

 My favorite.

It has been years since we've been to the botanical gardens and they have done a splendid job improving the kid's area.

 Bees! Neat.

 

 Right before we walked through this C looked right at me and said "Man I love a tunnel". That kid cracks me up.

 I need to adjust friar tuck's haircut.

 The best way to end the afternoon is with a picnic at the park overlooking the Atlanta skyline. We did this so many times when we lived intown. Ahhh. Memories.

 Happy birthday, Dada.

Tomorrow's the day...

...for a very special birthday. And we have special plans to celebrate away from home, and there might not be time for presents, so we decided to have a pre-birthday celebration today at home.

Who is our guest of honor? Dada, of course.

So we prepped the house before he got home. We set the dining room table for a special meal. No shirt required.

 Then we sat and waited and waited for him to arrive. And when he did, we met him at the back door with a cold one, and made him close his eyes so we could lead him to the pile of gifts.

 There's no sense in wasting time with pleasantries so gifts were opened.

 It is pretty hard to surprise a man that gets himself anything he needs, but from the look on his face I can see that he had no clue about this gift. Mission accomplished.

And now I'm so tired that I cant remember what it was either, so off to bed. Tomorrow is a big day!