It's been a number of years since Chuck and I have made the trek to Shenandoah. But with the Scamp, I thought it could make those cold nights more bearable. And seeing as though it was 31 degrees when we woke up on Sunday morning, I think we made a good choice. And with the three-day weekend, it makes braving Virginia's horrible roads more tolerable.
We got there Friday afternoon in time for a ranger program on bears. Then it was time for a hike. Wherever Ollie goes, piggie goes too.
Then it was time to cook dinner and work on homework, er, junior ranger badges. How much did Ollie accomplish? Oh, he wrote his name and made a maze out of the crossword. As expected.
Saturday morning we went to Big Meadows for a presentation on the screech owl, ran into some old friends, and then ran around in the meadow. It's such a geographical oddity, having this big meadow along a mountain crest.
After lunch we hiked Dark Hollow Falls. Even the million other people on the trail could not take away the beauty of this place. Gorgeous.
One hike to finish the day: Stony Man Summit. Um, it was a wee bit windy. I wore four layers on top and wasn't too hot. Wow.
These colors! Dying.
Sunday morning before our drive home, we did a very small hike to another wee summit. The trail was right on the Appalachian Trail. Rhett was excited to go back to school and report to his teacher that he hiked on the AT. You know, not like he didn't do it in Harper's Ferry a couple of weeks ago or anything.
And while the adults, er adult, readied the Scamp for departure, I helped the kids get more wiggles out by playing in leaves.
The Scamp did great in the cold. The heater ran well, and we were kept toasty warm.
Trip's Highlights (in random order):
1. Friday night's starry sky. We don't see stars like that from home, given D.C's light pollution. Gorgeous.
2. Hiking with the boys. We did about four miles total on Saturday. It gives me hope! Next year I'd like to choose one 5-6 miler and spend all day doing it.
3. The food. We ate well (more on that Wednesday).
Even with the crowds, it's just such a lovely place to be this time of year. Oh, and like we do, we saw one small black bear running through the woods. Thankfully, it was from the safety of our car.
P.S. Because it's me, here's some ugly truths: the weekend wasn't all happiness and rainbows and changing leaves. The boys had a rough week, sleeping-wise, and it showed. Ollie was pretty terrible on Friday's hike. And then later that evening, when Ollie found a dead lizard and Chuck accidentally tossed it in the fire, you'd have thought Chuck threw Rhett's best friend in there, the way Rhett reacted. Saturday and Sunday mornings were WAY too early, especially as we were in the Scamp and the sun isn't rising until after 7. Kids.
After our first date was rained out, our second date was too hastily scheduled, we found this past Monday perfect to celebrate our 7th Annual Pumpkin Day. As it was a school day, we couldn't spend all day at the pumpkin patch, but maybe that was better...for the adults at least. Last year it was a tame Pumpkin Day, but I ramped it up just a bit this year.
The day started with the presentation of breakfast: pumpkin mini wheats! Of course they didn't taste like pumpkin, but instead, all the spices that make pumpkin-flavored things delicious. The boys were also presented with their Halloween shirts. One boy has grown out of wearing them in public, but I can respect that (even if I don't like it). Then they were shoo-ed off to school. At school they were surprised with pumpkin bread in their lunches. On the way to the pumpkin patch, they got special rice krispie treats dyed orange and shaped like pumpkins with a tootsie roll for the stem. Yum.
Then it was on to the pumpkin patch! We did all the usual stuff and the boys had the usual great time. I even brought this tortilla pumpkin soup (although I called it pumpkin chili since my boys like chili and it looked like chili). In fact, their hearty approval of the soup was probably the best part of my day. (The worst part was finding out there were no apple cider donuts.) We had beautiful weather (if not even a touch too warm) and the boys went home exhausted. Success!
You'd think that with both boys in school for at least part of the day, I'd have plenty of time to keep up with the blog. You'd be wrong, obviously. I don't even know what I've been doing, but it hasn't included being present here. We are doing something fun this weekend and next week is a regular school week with no holidays, so pictures will come next week. And who knows? If I get all my stuff done tomorrow, maybe I'll post again on Friday. Until then, here are the picture-less updates:
Ollie: Doing great in preschool. In fact, hasn't cried nor dragged his feet at drop-off since the second or third week. He seems to have made friends and is always happy at the end of the day. He won't admit it, but I'm pretty sure he likes it. Outside of school, he's still Ollie! Neither of our boys is/was a true imp, but Ollie's certainly closer than Rhett. He seems to have become more attached to Piggie lately, so I wonder if he's going through something I don't know about? We tried transitioning him from his balance bike to a training wheel-free two-wheeler but it didn't work. Maybe next spring. Finally, he wants to be a green ghost for Halloween. Sound familiar? Ha.
Rhett: Also doing great in school. Either it's his teacher or just second grade, but it seems a bit more "real" this year. As in, he's not getting straight "P"s on everything. But I'm totally fine with this. It's almost more helpful, you know? He apologized the other day that his favorite subject wasn't math; I reassured him it was okay. His favorite subject is art and least favorite? Music! Ha. He was dreading a singing test he had to take last Friday (where he'd have to sing by himself) but then he received an answer to (his) prayer when his teacher was absent! I don't understand this. I frequently sing around the house and music is always playing. Outside of school he's been doing a lot of biking. We got him a new-to-him bike with gears and he loves it. He and I rode five miles the other day and he did great (although he does stop randomly--why??--and I have to swerve to avoid him). He's had a couple playdates with a friend, Matt, from school. And he loves to run around on all fours. This drives me (illogically) crazy. Finally, he wants to be a mad scientist for Halloween. Should be easy enough, right? (Speaking of, anyone local who reads this have a kid-sized lab coat we could borrow?)
Chuck: Even though he had hoped his new job wouldn't be as busy, he was wrong. But at least he's busy doing stuff that he enjoys. He joined a pool and swims laps during lunch. He's amazing. He's home early afternoon every day, and I love it. He got released from ward Young Men calling and was called to be a counselor in the Stake Young Men. This seems like a do-nothing calling except that he was charged with working on youth conference. It's kind of a big deal. Hopefully there will be spreadsheets I can help with.
Me: If I didn't already know, I was recently reminded of the things I'm good at as a mom (getting out, doing stuff) and the things I'm bad at (entertaining my kids at home). Conference weekend was terrible. We'd been inside since the Thursday before (RAIN) and the kids were done. I had too high of expectations of what they'd watch of conference, and it didn't turn out well. Thankfully, once we get out of the house, I'm much better. So we've been hiking at a new place, celebrating Pumpkin Day, and taking lots of walks/bike rides just to get me (and them) out of the house. Plus, the weather has been spectacular, so that helps. Last Saturday Chuck and I went on a fun date night: yummy dinner (locals take note), thrift store shopping, and a spooky train ride. And I've been slowly checking off things from my to-do list, so that makes me happy. What doesn't make me happy? Another nighttime trail run with FROGS. This time maybe only six or so, but that's enough. I'm done running on the trail in the dark. DONE. Oh, I finally figured out why my grocery budget was less than a lot of people I know: side dishes with dinner. We never had them. I now making a concerted effort to include a side with most meals and yes, it's driving the budget higher. Thank goodness it coincides with raise for both me and Chuck. This dish was a recent hit.
When you get on an escalator, do you just step on the first step and stop, or take a couple steps and then stop (assuming you're not going to walk the whole thing)?
At what point do I ditch kid plates, cups, utensils? I'm so over the disaster that is the cabinet filled with colorful plastic.
How do you pronounce "syrup:" seer-up or sir-up?
A friend and I had an idea that would revolutionize missionary work for the Church. Find out what accents certain countries love (e.g., Americans love British accents). Then over-sample British hopeful missionaries to serve in the U.S. Brilliant, right?
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays when I walk Rhett to school, walk Ollie to school, walk to pick up Ollie, walk to pick up Rhett, I add an additional TWO miles to my exercise total for the day. TWO MILES.
UGH. After a month or so of our east coast drought (which is nothing compared to west coast drought), we are making up for lost time. Rain rain rain all weekend and into next week too. Now I not only have to worry about my basement flooding, but the Scamp flooding too (not that the latter is a rational fear, mind you).
I bought a lot of that Rustique fabric, so any opportunity to use it, I will. A pillow that will rarely be used! Yes please!
And of course a banner. Because every Scamp needs a banner. Duh.
Oh, want to guess how lazy I have become in prepping for our Scamp trips? So lazy that I can no longer retrieve our four pillows from our beds and take them to the Scamp. It was just too much. Instead, I bought four new pillows and sewed four new pillowcases. These new pillows will stay in the Scamp because, you know, the lazy.
Have I mentioned that next summer we're going to Germany to visit my parents? Well we are. And in order to best prepare my kids, I knew we had to visit an Oktoberfest because I'm sure it's 100% authentic and exactly like our German experience will be (end sarcasm font) We found one in rural Virginia and went Saturday morning.
The drive was lovely (yes, I am turning into my parents, or just old), and the little town was nice. The festival was good, as were the bratwurst, huge pretzel, German music, and dancing. Good times. But sadly I forgot my camera in the car and have no pictures of any of this. Bad times. Although the boys did get to sit in these little cars.
But when we finished being German around 1:30, I knew it was way too early to head home. As we were close to Harper's Ferry, we took a quick side trip and finished our day there. My only regret was that we are a couple of weeks early for fall colors, but that just means we have to go back. Oh and bonus for us! Saturday was Free Public Lands Day so we saved on the entry free to the park. I love when that happens.
Pretending to be park rangers. And first time ever banging on a typewriter. I love those WPA posters.
Confluence.
Fighting about which direction we should hike on the AT.
Church ruins.
Jefferson Rock. Can you find Ollie?
It turned out to be a great Saturday. One where you love where you live and love the people you're with.
P.S. We love this dinner. Seriously so good. Strong flavors, filling, comes together quickly. Added to our dinner regular rotation.
Last year Chuck's job had a different schedule than his new one. Then: 12 months, no automatic school holidays, must take leave for time off. Now: 10 months, automatic school holidays, can take leave, but don't need as much because of school holidays. So last year for Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah, Chuck didn't have off while Rhett did. I had this great idea to take the boys camping, just me and them. But sadly it got rained out.
Even though this year Chuck did get the Jewish holidays off, I still wanted to take the boys and give Chuck a little break. So we did it. I invited some friends and only one was crazy enough to join me. The kids did great (no middle-of-the-night bathroom trips nor wake ups!), I did great, Chuck did better than great. Maybe it'll be a new family tradition!
Since buying the Scamp, we've kind of committed ourselves to camping more often, even if it means quick one-nighters. But because we have the Scamp, the overnighters are just so easy! Except for food, most everything is ready to go. Love it.
Even though we've visited this state park before, Cunningham Falls is quick and easy and lovely. The boys particularly loved the hike as it was filled with huge boulders--the perfect medium for climbing kids. Chuck particularly loved doing it without a herniated disc in his back. I particularly loved doing it without an infant.
Yes, the banner is new. I'm sure someday we'll return to eating outside, but for now it's just still such a novelty to eat inside the camper.
Even big boys love climbing rocks.
We've got a two-nighter in the works for October. Sweet.
I knew the hours while Ollie was in school would go by quickly, but not THAT quickly! Man. It was so fast that on Wednesday I ended up doing only two things from my list. I got the haircut, but by the time I got home, my four hours were half gone. Then, because Ollie's cookies required parchment paper and because I had only one cookie-sheet's-worth of parchment paper and because I didn't want to wash dishes, I had to bake those cookies using only one cookie sheet...which took forever! By the time I finished that, I had only 50 minutes remaining. QUICK--do something productive! So I organized our small linen closet. (Which strangely produced two changing pad covers and one crib sheet. Weird.) Then it was time to go get Ollie from school.
Crazy.
I didn't read the paper. I didn't vacuum the basement. I didn't do the dishes. I didn't go to lunch with Chuck. I didn't read (so I didn't nap). It was pathetic. I promise to do better next time.
The boy was nothing but happy about preschool. Happy when doing his hand-print shirt...
happy when taking pictures the next morning...
happy when walking to school to drop off Rhett first and then go to his school...
and happy to get there.
And miracle of miracles, there was no problem when I left him in his classroom. And when I came to get him, again with the smiles! Who IS this boy?! I'm just hoping this happiness continues. Man, I like this boy!
P.S. And yes, that is the same shirt that Rhett wore on his first day of preschool. How amazing of you to notice.
It's a big day folks. Later today, Ollie will be in preschool, and I will have four blessed, quiet hours. I think I was a bit over-ambitious with my goals for today. All that's going to happen is the haircut, lunch with Chuck, and maybe I'll make a special treat for Ollie. And while that treat is baking, I'll read. I hope I don't fall asleep while reading and burn the cookies, because HEY. I'm old. Falling asleep while reading is totally a thing. In fact, it's how I set myself up for a nap.
Anyway, OLLIE. Right. The kid is a nut. I was really nervous about preschool because he does not do well at drop-offs. How many years has he been going to our babysitter? How many years have we dropped him off at either nursery or Sunbeams? A lot. And the kid still fights them both. So I knew preschool could potentially be fraught with troubles. I contacted the school's director who was happy to let us in one day to play. We stayed for an hour and he had a great time playing with toys. Last week we went to an open house for his preschool, so although other kids were there, so I was. Another good experience. Finally, last Friday I had parent orientation. Ollie was left in the room (not happily, but not kicking and screaming either). The meeting was only 45 minutes, and when it was done, Ollie was just fine! I really think he'll be okay today for the real deal. And he's been a lot happier and nicer lately, so I don't think he'll be kicked out. Or, as Vacation Bible School put it, "asked not to return." That Ollie.
Cute pictures of the first day of school will come on Friday. Until then, you'll have to be happy with this video of him reading his self-published book. He's a charmer for sure.
So remember nearly TWO YEARS ago when I made a tooth pillow for Rhett, thinking he'd soon be losing teeth? Wow was I wrong! Only nine days shy of being 7 1/2 years old, my boy finally lost his first tooth. It had been loose for a couple weeks, but when he had some annoying instrument in his mouth (is there any other kind?) and Ollie yanked it hard, well, it got a LOT looser. Chuck started fiddling and POOF! My boy suddenly had one fewer tooth than he had before.
Update: Rhett decided he'd rather keep the tooth than have money, so we didn't even need that darn pillow.
Welcome everyone to this installment of the Hubanity's Major Awards. This morning I'll be handing out awards in the "Laundry Division."
To the male (ahem, Chuck included) who makes me turn right-side-out the fewest number of clothing items (socks, shirts, underwear, etc.) goes the "Fewest Number of Inside-out Articles" Award.
To the boy submitting the highest number of matching socks goes the "Fewest Orphan Socks" Award.
To the boy who consistently gets his dirty laundry in his hamper while keeping his laundry out of his brother's goes the "Fewest Traitors" Award.
To the boy who changes his underwear at least as many days as there are days in the week goes the "Most Underwear" Award. (I will give out two awards if that encourages entrants to get the award.)
That concludes this Hubanity's Major Award announcement. Join us next time for awards in the "Kitchen Division."
Last week while at a park, new signs were being installed on the nearby trail system. Of course I'm too embarrassed to ask for the old ones; that's why I have kids! I sent Rhett to ask what they do with the old ones and he returned with the answer of, "Take them back to the warehouse." Oh well. I tried. BUT later the guys came over and offered one to us! Of course we took it. What's a 3/4-mile walk home carrying an awkward, sorta-heavy, definitely large sign? Nothing!
And when Chuck took his math clock to work, he left a vacant spot on the wall in the playroom. Perfect.
P.S. Holy crap. Here's a math problem you've likely never seen: humidity + trail run + late dusk + light rain = ??? FROGS. For reals. My running partner and I screamed and peed like little girls. I'm pretty sure we left behind us some serious carnage. Grossest run ever.
We start the back to school traditions on Sunday, with the stamping of the shirt (which, at age seven, he's already too cool for)...
...and the back to school dinner. Which has turned into anything for the entree and a side of tots on the trays. Because tots and trays just scream school lunch to me. Also, the boys got a box of milk, which was disgusting. (I chose pepperoni sandwiches because it's been a summer staple. And now that summer is over, I'm ready to serve real meals and have real fights over them. Sigh.)
We got the picture early in the morning (can't let anyone see us)...
...with the new hand print on the sleeve.
But right as we're about to leave, Rhett decides he needs to go to the bathroom and Ollie decides he needs a drink of water...both of which somehow require the bathroom. Which, of course, leads to a fight. Which, of course, leads to Ollie biting Rhett and Rhett punching Ollie. Hence this pic. Happy First Day of School everyone.
We did it. We survived another summer where I worked full-time and Chuck stayed home full-time. It's not easy, but neither is regular life, right? Last week I reverted to part-time work while Chuck started his new job. And I think we're all happier for it. I think mostly we're happier for routines. Well, I'm definitely happier with routines.
That doesn't mean we're not having fun! (The fun just happens during our routinely-scheduled "Fun Time." Kidding.) Two Saturdays ago Chuck was with the scouts nearly all day, so I took the boys to this super awesome playground that's been on my to-do-with-the-boys list since last summer. The boys loved it, and I loved when we had to walk to the National Cathedral in search of a bathroom (the playground belongs to a private school on the cathedral's grounds). I was only saddened by the park's size (HUGE); I couldn't just sit there reading my book like I planned. Sigh. The rest of last week included errands, a bike ride to the park and then the pool, and then an open house at Rhett's school and mini golf.
But that all ends today as Ollie and I walk Rhett to school in a couple of hours. (Back to school pictures to come on Wednesday.) And then we get to do this again when Ollie starts in two weeks. Life is good!
P.S. And you know what else is good? This dinner! The first time we made it, everyone ate it. The second time, all but Ollie did, but still...I like them odds.
