Bottoms (and Bald Spots) Up!

Backpacks and Burp Cloths

"Camping gear, check! Backpacks, check! Burp cloths, check!"

Check out John's Idaho Conservation League blog regarding our trip to City of Rocks and the proposed management plans there.

http://www.idahoconservation.org/blog/backpacks-and-burp-cloths

First Day of Summer

And the first day to feel like summer here in Boise. We've had a long, cool spring.

Today we ventured out to dismantle the tent that's been drying in the backyard.

I think I'll have whatever Cate's having.

Sidenote:

Yes, they are wearing blue. And yes, everyone thinks they are boys if they aren't wearing pink. Actually everyone thinks they are boys even if they are wearing pink, if it's not Easter pastel pink. Please, no lectures about raising transgender children... http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-13/news/chi-0413-nail-polish-ad-story_1_online-ad-outrage-sexuality

City of Rocks

I'm happy to report that of the three predicted camping outcomes, our experience didn't fit cleanly into any of the possibilities. If it did, it would probably be # 2, vowing to not camp again. I'm pleased that it wasn't quite that bad.

Our campsites were relatively isolated at a higher elevation near the west entrance to the reserve. With multiple groups joining us, we reserved all four camps in that location. We didn't have a view of the "the city", but we did get to avoid the crowds. If you look very closely, you can see three of our four camps in the photo below.

Friday night saw a low of 41 degrees. We were faced with the task of keeping two very small bodies warm without smothering them. A cotton sleeper, a fleece sleeper, a fleece swaddle, a furry blanket, two poorly fitted hats, and an hour of tears later, they seemed to do fine. John and I slept well in between frequent wakings to make sure those damn hats were still on.

Who would think that you'd need winter baby hats in late June? I tried shopping for them but, not surprisingly, I could only find swimsuits and sun hats.

We enjoyed nice weather and a lovely hike with friends Saturday afternoon; the primary reason I hesitate to call the trip a total disaster.

Saturday evening, a 30% chance of showers turned into a rather intense storm. With the first howls of wind came the first tears of the evening, soon followed by a night of rain and a low of 37 degrees. After setting up shelter, helping prepare chicken fajitas, and inviting everyone into our embarrasingly large new tent for dinner, we were once again faced with the task of keeping our crying babies warm and trying to get them to sleep.

I can handle bad weather and most of the time I can handle crying babies, but I've learned that I don't do so well when the two are combined. This weekend's camping trip to Grandjean (expected low of 29) has now become a day trip. We'll try again when the lows aren't in the 20's and 30's.

We're still talking about #3, the minivan option.

Slacker Mom

Oh Geez... it was inevitable, right? My once frequent blog updates have been reduced to a trickle less reliable than a drippy faucet. I've thought my way through numerous posts, but have failed to make them a reality. Unfortunately that's the way I do a lot of things. Those of you who haven't received birthday cards from me should see the stack of unmailed cards I'm hoarding. For real. I purchase another birthday card for you all every year and somehow fail to get it to the mailbox.

I'd love to say that it's genetic (is there a follow-through gene?). That it can't be helped. Actually, I've used that excuse for years. But I'd hate to try to sell Cate and Lela such a lame excuse when they wonder why there is little record of their first year.

So... that brings us to the latest update.

Cate and Lela are smiling, coo-ing, and as of last week, holding toys. They're little sponges. They watch every move we make and love to look, smile, and talk to each other. They did great with their Mum and Papa when I went back to work for three weeks (thanks Mom and Dad!) and just recently had their first ride on an airplane to Santa Cruz to visit Grandma Robison, Auntie Renee, and Uncle Tom.

Right now, they're packing for their first camping trip. City of Rocks. After seeing the loaded car this morning, they're wondering where they're going to sit. I figure this trip will have one of three outcomes... 1) all goes well, we all sleep, and we plan another trip for next weekend, 2) it's a total disaster and I vow to not camp again until they are 12, or 3) we return to Boise and buy a minivan.

Wish us luck.

And I promise to get pictures up when we return. Pinky swear.