Weekend camping trip also known as our three day nature study!





Sunset at camp over the lake.

We did not get to our nature center this weekend for our nature study adventure, instead we had a three day nature adventure while camping at the lake.



We did not get to observe our tree or see the changes in our favorite spots but we enjoyed discovering plants and cactus that do not grow near our home or at our nature center. 


I loved this cactus plant, I'm not sure of the name, but it was so interesting.  

The kids were not quite as excited about the different plants and cactus as they were about the lake and time with their cousins. But I was impressed with them, so I made sure to take pictures and we will look them up this week and learn a bit more about these cactus and plants. 

One of my favorites was the sunsets over the lake, they really were beautiful. I enjoy the sunsets over the mountains each night and the sunrises on the plains behind our home each morning, but I have to say that watching the sunset/sunrise over the water is absolutely beautiful.

Much of the plant life and flowers had already begun to wilt and turn, but I did find a few that were still bright and colorful. They were a welcome sight as camping in a very desert like area is very brown and colorless, with the exception of the lake and the few trees that manage to survive the summer heat.

Being out on the water is what I look forward to the most. And as every year, I love the sight of all the boats lined up along the docks. I did not have a chance to walk along the docks to the end and photograph the sail boats but the view from the water was still impressive.



We enjoyed our camping trip, the last one until next spring and summer.  Of course the kids are already asking when we can go back and to be honest, I too am ready for another trip. But since the nights are getting colder, I think I'd want to find a nice little log cabin to rent for a weekend. Actually, one of the things I hope to do within the next few years, is to rent a cozy log cabin up in the mountains and have an old fashioned Christmas with my family.

Do you enjoy camping? What are your favorite camping activities?

Me? Obviously we do enjoy camping, and my favorite part is simply being outdoors for a few days! And watching the kids be free and happy away from the city and the walls of our home.

Mom's weekend away begins in 3...2...1



A peaceful weekend filled with beautiful views and hiking...





...hot meals enjoyed in peace...



...time spent with best-friend of 20 years...





...a few good nights sleep, and peaceful beginnings each morning...





...a much needed break and time away from life.

**Actual photos will follow upon return...if we decide to come back! *wink-wink*

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Wild Thing -aka- Secret Agent J9 turnes 9

** We have an update on the screen names.

The kids have decided that they want different screen names.

Lady Bug (11 year old daughter) will now be known as: Secret Agent M12

 Wild Thing (9 year old son) will now be known as:  Secret Spy J9

Little Man (5 year old son) will now be known as: Secret Spy Storm 5

Monday was Secret Spy J9's 9th birthday. Since Daddy had to work all day the kids and I decided to enjoy the day and celebrate the next day.

Secret Spy J9 said he wanted to go to the skate park on his birthday, so we did. The kids took their bikes and skates and had a blast showing off their daring tricks.

Secret Spy Storm 5 decided he'd had enough and took off to play in the dirt.

After the skate park we decided to visit some family then do some sight seeing.

Actually we were on our way home, the scenic route, and I decided we should investigate some new roads we had not been on before.  Luckily we discovered that we were on private property before the owners found us roaming around on their beautiful land. In my defense we were in awe of the beautiful land and simply enjoying the drive.  

During our little road trip we discovered an area that I was not aware of. There were a few ranch homes with a good bit of land and beautiful dirt roads. Yes, I called the dirt roads beautiful. To me, having a dirt road running up to your home or along your land brings peace. Dirt roads are usually only found in remote areas and places not traveled by many, which means peace and quiet.

Secret Agent M12 noticed a few critters she thought to be foxes enjoying the warm pavement and cool breeze. We turned back and were able to drive quite close and see that they were coyotes before they decided to sprint off into the woods. They sat in the trees just off the road while we all watched from the car. Of course I couldn't get my camera to cooperate when we were close, so this is the only picture that turned out.

 

There was one point in our drive when I found the land that I want...someday. Maybe in the next few years the current owners will decide to downgrade and sell, to us! It was beautiful, lots of green grass, and trees, and a small pond. It was perfect! 

After our little road trip we were blessed with sunbeams all along the mountain range. It was far more beautiful than my little point and shoot camera could show. The rays of light were so bright and through the rain it was just amazing.

Sunbeams have always held a very special place in my heart. When my brother passed, as a toddler, my parents had the words; God wanted me as a sunbeam, placed on his head stone. Now, any time I see sunbeams I feel like my brother is saying hi and reminding he is watching over us all.

This morning, before Secret Agent J9's birthday party the boys and I took a trip over to our little library. The library has had some fun summer programs set up for the kids and we are taking advantage of as many as we can. This morning they had a Dinosaur Dig event. The kids were able to make dinosaur masks, a dinosaur puppet and even dig for dinosaur bones. They dug through a large box of shredded paper to find hidden bones and through another box of sand to find shells that they were able to bring home.

Since Secret Agent J9 loves dinosaurs, this was the perfect start to his day. Dinosaur dig in the morning, and a super spy party in the afternoon. Perfect!

Secret Agent J9 and Secret Spy Storm 5 showing off their masks and puppets.

This afternoon was the Spy Training Program for most of the afternoon our home doubled as spy training headquarters.

The newest graduate, Secret Spy J9, was given a new set of spy equipment. He was happy to have new tools for his job.

Much of his new equipment had to be delivered in special Top Secret packaging. You can never be too careful when shipping spy gear.

All of the new agents in training were given their new Agent ID's and fingerprinted. Their new photo and Code Names were transferred to their ID's and security clearance paperwork.

It's a messy job working on a new agent's paperwork.

Each new agent now has their own Top Secret folder and ID. Watch out there are 9 new little Secret Agent/Spies running around.



Part of today's training was to practice getting through the red lasers they will run into on their special missions.



Each trainee managed to survive the high voltage lasers used during our training session.

A string of new agents are now certified and onto their first missions.

After each training the highest ranking agent gets a special spy treat.



Happy Birthday to my new Secret Agent J9!

We love you!

Mom's night...in

   A friend and I were talking the other day about getting together with friends more. We both have had a very long year and have missed having time to spend with friends. So we have decided to start making time to spend with friends. Since we can't always get out without kids or have the extra money to spend on a night on the town we came up with a few ideas to try.

I know how hard it is for moms to get out and spend time with their friends as much as we'd like so I thought I'd share some of our ideas. Yes, some are just silly ideas but it would be time spent with friends.

• Recipe Swap- Each person makes a favorite dish, side, or desert to share. Copy the recipe down onto a 3x5 note card for each of the friends. Everyone gets to enjoy something new and take home the recipe.
• Dollar Store Goodie Bag- Each person has a limit of $10 (spent at the dollar store) to put together 1 or 2 fun little goodie bags. Get together for drinks or games and everyone gets a goodie bag to take home.
• Book Swap- Everyone brings a few books they are done with to swap with the others. This could also be done with kids books or other household items.
• Game Night- Simple pot luck dinner and games. Kids love this too, just have some kids games available as well.
• Mom's Sappy Movie and Ice Cream Night- Obviously a sappy movie and ice cream for the mom's. Pj's are a must!
• Take a Hike Mom- Everyone meet up somewhere to take a day hike. No kids! Just mom's, sunshine, and lots of water. Oh and of course a camera!
• Mom's Spa Night-  Many have done this but make it what you want. Either get together and just spend the evening pampering yourself with friends, or each person puts together a spa goodie bag (set a dollar limit) and every swaps the goodie bags to take home and enjoy.
• Homemade Christmas-  I know many of my friends enjoy making Christmas gifts for their kids and families each year. Everyone can get together and work on their own project, or everyone can decide on one project and work together.
• Clothing Swap-  I know most women have tons of clothes that are just sitting in the closet gathering dust. So why not get all those clothes you have no need for and let your friends rummage through them all. If you sew, you can get quite creative as a group and put together some great Halloween Costumes or dress up clothes for the kids.

What do you think?
Any of those ideas something you and your friends would try?
What ideas would you put on your list?

Summer Fun Bucket List

                       
The kids and I have decided to put together a Summer Bucket List. We often have great ideas of things we want to do or places we want to go see, but we seem to forget all those wonderful ideas when we actually have the time and ability to go do something. So we decided to get a head start this summer.

This is our summer bucket list. Many on our list are typical summer activities, others are some fun creative ideas the kids came up with.

Have you made your Summer Fun Bucket List yet?


                          

• pool time
• playtime at the park
• bike rides
• lots of walks
• nature hikes
• camping
• play in sprinklers
• picnics -at parks or in the mountains
• art day at the art museum
• craft day with friends
• trip to local splash park
• costume party (kids love having Halloween parties throughout the year)
• day at the county fair
• spy party (the boys came up with this one)
• dinosaur party
• build bird houses
• pajama dance party
• movie and pizza night
• trip to the zoo
• field day with friends (just like last day of school)
• art walk (walk through downtown, taking in the sights and drawing what interests the kids)
• cooking day
• museum of nature and science
• dinosaur museum
• fossil beds (local attraction)
• dinosaur dig day (boys want to go dig for dino bones)
• family game/movie nights
• go to the movies
• trip to the ice cream shop
• roller skating
• ice skating
• and pool time (kids said this one many, many times)

I think that was most of them.

So far the kids are excited about the list. We are trying to go ahead and put some activities that we can on the calendar. I do much better if something is actually scheduled on the calendar. I'm not sure if we will get to everything or not this summer, but we are really going to try.

What ideas would you put on your summer fun bucket list?