I am always a sucker for Costco. And one away from home, which might carry different merchandise, is even better. So when we had a few hours to kill between camping, and checking out a few of Micah’s houses, I suggested a browse with some free samples. Micah was in, and so were all four of my kids.
Pippi as in her happy place amongst all of the stuffed animals, while the others were in their happy place — at the Costco food court.
Costco — like usual, you filled us and entertained us.
And in the famous words of our former governer:
“I’ll be back”.
Micah decided that we needed to go camping, and he picked Joshua Tree — a place neither of us had been.
So we picked the kids up right after school (while I headed into a parent/teacher conference), and then headed out.
We got there after dark, and set up camp in Indian Cove, spot 14.
Daddy set up almost everything with the kids, while I got everyone warm, and fed for the night.
Including the Pips, who doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her, so we layered and layered her.
I am pretty sure that she was warm everywhere except her red hands and nose.
When it came time to go to bed, we all got into our family tent. But an hour in, Pippi wasn’t having it, so I then proceeded to take her into the car, so the others could sleep. That was 10:00.
After a drive around the far-off town, a call to see if my mom had plans over that night (which she had book club), a two hour stop at Walmart where we loaded up on hand warmers, a 24-hour Starbucks stop, some star gazing, and other things I don’t recall….she finally fell asleep at 4:50am. I’m not convinced that camping is her thing quite yet.
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But when the sun rose, and everyone was warm again, and she had some food….
She was back to normal. She was perfect all day long, and just cruised alongside the rest of us.
I was getting the Pips in the stroller when I heard Scout call down.
I snapped a picture and told him to get down immediately. And then I asked where Dash was. Scout informed me he was almost to the top. I sent Micah to get them ASAP, and then had a low hum of anxiety the rest of the trip.
I don’t know why?
My kids were only one fall away from brain damage at any given moment.
This group climbed and climbed and climbed.
They climbed the rocks to find the metal inlay that they tried to carve out.
They climbed rocks to find ancient petroglyphs.
They ate on rocks.
They ate and danced on rocks.
They ate it on rocks.
They got scraped up on the rocks.
These pants fell victim to the rocks.
On our way to some more rocks, this fox broke up my kid’s rock obsession.
Then it was finally time to give the rocks a rest, and sit by the campfire and roast up some of the tastiest s’mores I have ever had!
Then to warm up the kids one final time, and to tire their eyes, we drove around on a “night exploration”. We were in the middle of nowhere, and it was pitch black when I saw a bathroom. I told the kids that I would give whomever would go and use the restroom by themselves $10. Dash immediately volunteered while the other kids were in amazement. But when he was almost to the bathroom, he realized how dark it was, and booked it back! We were dying laughing. But after Scout claimed he would do it, but that was a no-go also.
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It was finally bedtime, and I am proud to report that Pippi slept the whole night through.
(I am sure it was due to Micah’s amazing bed he made her in the back of the car.)
The final morning, Micah was in his element while he whipped up a mean breakfast for us — eggs, bacon, etc.
THen I was summoned to the bathrooms, where Scout was trying to make a zip line while his biggest cheerleader watched.
Micah and I both told him we didnt think it was going to work, but he persevered on….and…
it WORKED!
We were all so impressed, and he was so proud.
And on our way back, I snapped a picture of the two most beautiful things I saw the entire time I was in Joshua Tree.
The sunrise.
And a well-rested one year old.
For the first time, we had two students attend their school carnival.
We ended up going during the last half, and as soon as we got there, the two were off with their friends like a couple of hot shots.
Scout and Navy were in constant motion.
Good thing Dash is still pretty careful on the playground, and I was able to get a picture of him that wasn’t blurry.
This little girl of ours was up way past her bedtime, but stayed entertained and happy every single minute.
One of the few times we saw our kids, it was Scout emptying his pockets that were full of loot he “got for Navy”.
Nothing makes me happier than when I see these two being sweet to one another.
On our way out, I made Scout (and kids) stand by his hand that is on the “inaugural wall”, to show us how much he has grown.
On our way out, Navy (Pippi’s 2nd mother) held the Pips.
But then I grabbed her and we took a few “selfies” that never quite caught me in them.
Pippi is the biggest lover of animals, and died over the zoo so much, I took her and Dashy to the farm today.
I nailed it, because these two LOVED it!
Obvi, the guinea pigs were a hit.
I die over this moment where a girl who claimed herself as the “guinea pig whisperer”, went to grab some of his carrots to show her skills off, and he wasn’t having it.
Another to-die-for moment, was when Dash whispered in “Butterscoth” the guinea pig’s ear that it was his birthday the other day, and that he is three.
Pippi loved hanging on the hay with all of the strays.
But I think she liked the hay most of all.
The corn was the perfect place for this boy to do cannonballs.
And this girl to lounge.
The goats were particularly calm today.
As you can see.
Overall…it was just a really fun and mellow afternoon with the youngens.
We were all really excited to hear Jingle Bells come from the piano today. And for his 6th week, it is quite the feat. I am highly impressed with Scout’s piano abilities. But thinking I might be biased, I was excited to see that Nonnie agrees (although she is for sure biased), and Mr. Holt does as well.
Just a reindeer ride to get these two girls ready for the holidays!
And the two boys?
They were on the flip side of this carousel.
Just a little purple smoothie-stash to go with the green goop.
How gross is that!
I tried fired chicken for the first time ever, and I was pleased with the results.
And since I told Micah I would bring him lunch, I thought a fried chicken salad would be perfect.
His take….thumbs up on the salad.
But maybe not the huge bowl he had to walk back to his office with?!?
Just documentation of one of the reasons my kids love the straw bowls.
They have contests to see who can get them the highest.
I think Navy might be the front runner at the moment.
Megan gave our family zoo passes last year for Christmas, and we LOVE them!
They are awesome — especially since they have them too, and we can meet up with them anytime.
Today was the perfect day — no school and 68 degrees.
Zoo time!
Of course I match them all — in case one goes missing, I can point to another and describe the outfit perfectly.
(Note: see them all touching the car? When I get out of the car in a parking lot, until I get everyone out, the others have to “touch the car” to stay safe.)
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Once we got into the zoo, each child kind of took on a role.
Navy was the “up close and personal” observer who has always had an affinity for animals.
Scout was the “silly zookeeper” who told us every fact imaginable at every animal.
(All learned from “Wild Kratts”.)
Dash was the “mischievous wanderer”, who got himself into all sorts of precarious positions while walking aimlessly.
And the Pips was the “Pointing Animal Lover” who was as happy as a clam all day long in the Baby Bjorn.
These four had a great time.
But about 95% of that great time was because of their two best buds.
Namely, “Saint Trey”.
And “Christlike Chloe”.
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