Before the pandemic you didn't get a fall break, but I'm so glad you do now!
It's a vacation week without any holidays in it; nothing we have to do. Just relaxation.
And this year, we decided to take our relaxation on the road to Oklahoma and visit a place we hadn't been to in many years: Beavers Bend State Park!
We rented a cabin, played Monopoly during the rain, had camp fires, s'mores, hot dogs, told silly disgusting jokes, kayaked down the river, skipped stones, went into town for mini-golf and wax hands and 'mining,' rode horses, rode the train (twice...and julia you won the cotton candy raffle the second time!), hiked...and hiked more...and got lost...and hiked more to get unlost, and went on nightly walks with our headlamps.
We saw deer at night, deer during the day; creepy glowy eyes at night (deer and one opossum); a lot of cool frogs and one bigfoot (just kidding).
You two set up a trading post and system to trade precious gems.
It was a time of togetherness -and waters rose and fell- and I am so thankful we were able to do it as a family.
I can't wait to be in the woods with the four of us again...no cell signal...smell of campfire...and sore legs with fully bellies and hearts.
Aidan, look at that glow...that spark...the amount of amazement and wonder you see on your face as you stared into a stick-on-fire is the same amount of amazement and wonder I feel as I look upon you growing up before our very eyes. You are strong, you persevere, you are kind, you are adventurous, and nothing brings out these qualities more than a Daddy-and-Me camping trip with the boys and dads from WRM also known as the Hiking Laser Bears!
So I picked you up early from school one day, we loaded up the Santa Fe, and headed out on (another) rainy day to drive about 3 hours south to YMCA Camp Cullen.
...and what an adventure we had in those all-too-short days.
You've grown so much since our first campout- you're braver, stronger, kinder...and still very curious about exploring relationships with your friends, trying new activities, and pushing the limits.
This campsite had an indigenous population of Daddy-long-legs. Some of the boys were scared of them; you...not so much. But, you DID get quite upset at one of the other Dads when he accidentally stepped on one. You said 'it's a living creature!'
You stayed up late (toooo late) with your friends: hanging out, inventing and playing "Wall Sock" with infectious laughter (it's a game where socks get thrown onto walls, retrieved, and thrown again)...
We also hit every highlight on the Y map...
We all got to go Horseback riding together...and I'll never forget that my horse- who at first was described as 'energetic'- tried to buck me off his back, so they sent him to time out and gave me another horse while we were already in the field! This was your first time riding a horse by yourself, and you did so well!
We did Archery... and although you didn't hit the target this time around, you had a lot of fun, and I was impressed that you were able to move forward so readily. You really are learning to roll with the punches!
You buddied up, piled in a sled, and careened down the "Marathon Pipeline Run" many times. The ride was FUN but the responsibility to bring the sleds back to the top of run was a bit of a drag. I was impressed that after one time of not carrying the sled, you decided on your own that you would carry the sled up the stairs and ramps to the top of the run 3 or 4 more times so you could ride it again! What a good lesson to learn!
I even got to go with you one time as well!
We also went down to the lake to do some boating...
...since boats were limited, you canoed with Mr. Kennedy, Hugh, and Christian. And when a kayak opened up, I jumped in and sped out to see you guys...and got my pants soaked in the process. Good thing I brought extra pants!
At this point in the day, after a late, late night the day before, you asked to take a nap. You tried, but ultimately decided to get up and do more...like a real Hiking Laser Bear!
...and I'm so glad you had that fight in you because we saved the best activity for last!
It was a hike....and a climb...and a wait...and a bit daunting....
...but you bravely, excitedly, and ably rode a zip line for the first time. I was a bit nervous as it was my first time too, but I followed your bravery and we rode together...Once...
....and then again! The fact that you wanted to do it again is so telling, my adventurous, amazing, sweet, brave boy.
As the day slipped away and the sun gave way to the moon, there were burgers and s'mores, campfires and tired, tired boys...
...and I couldn't wait to for our next adventure!
We packed up the next day and headed home; we were both beat and tired and in need of sleep...but what an amazing adventure we had together. I cherish any time I spend with you, but there's something special about Daddy-and-me time; watching you grow, being there to try new things with you (including YMCA mess-hall enchiladas....surprisingly good!).
There was pain, sunny days, and rain....and smiles, and laughter, and an angry horse and an awesome zip line.
Just between our annual summer beach trip and the first day of school, while 3 of your amazing older cousins and an awesome Aunt and Uncle were still in town, we crammed in a LOT of family fun into one weekend:
We had a Shabbat dinner/Wrestling match:
We took a trip to a super cool comic store:
We went Kayaking on White Rock Lake:
..and we had one last burger and some sweet goodbyes (for now!) at Twisted Root
Like I said...we crammed in a LOT of love and family into an awesome weekend, and an awesome summer.
You and your cousins are such a great multi-decade-spanning friendship; and I hope that beautiful relationship continues to grow and thrive!
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