After a long, long weekend of high fevers (Aidan, your strep throat was resistant to the first round of antibiotics! Yikes), house fires (Brady's house burned down, everyone was fine), house guests (the Shields family, and dogs...since, you know, their house burned down), we all might have been wary of more fireworks!
So, when the 4th of July came, the Shields did some family stuff, and so did we. Y'all had been asking to go to the Aquarium for over a week- so we went to explore, touch some sting rays and anemones, and swim with the fishies. It was a rewarding, relaxing visit:
We stayed at home and played with some big dog visitors (Marmaduke and Bella Shields)...
We played outside...
And we went to dinner all together...
By the time it started to get dark, our party had winnowed down. Aidan, you still weren't fully well yet and you needed your rest. Mommy stayed with you. Brady went to bed early as did his parents.
So that left you and me Julia to go and watch the Fourth of July Fireworks together. Just Daddy and Daughter...
We busted out the glowsticks, brought a picnic blanket, and watched the Dallas fireworks emerging from the horizon. You loved them. You watched in awe. And you said you were ready to go home and go to bed.
And we did it...just the right amount of fireworks for a perfect Fourth of July.
What better, more challenging, more rewarding way is there to celebrate the summer than by going to camp? We did it last year at Beaver's Bend and topped it this year with a trip to Robber's Cave, Oklahoma with Yaya, Baba, Uncle Joe, and Aunt Sham. Camping- getting unplugged and hanging out deep in the woods- was super duper cool. We got this camping thing down so pat that we could write a manual!
Step 0. Get all dressed and packed- you guys packed your own bags- and got ready to go.
First (and last step) to a good camping trip is... a ROAD trip! Full of fun gazing out the window, reading, and singing, and road-side attractions:
Step 2: Go Swimming. In swimmin' holes...
... and swimmin' pools. Both of you guys have done SO much amazing growth at your swimming abilities that you were confidently having fun swimming and diving. Aidan you went down the big slide at the pool like a dozen times and climbed the rock-wall! Julia you did the slide once yourself and were busy jumping into the pool.
You both are such little fishies, and were super excited to learn and show off new-found skills:
Step 3: Saddle up and Go Horseback riding!
We went on a long, cool, 90-minute horse ride through the woods and saw a rattle snake and a hidden lake and a covered wagon and some of the hidden caves where robbers used to hide.
But, y'all thought the best part was when our horses- especially Nick (who you and I rode, Julia) and Pokey (who you and Mommy rode, Aidan), kept stopping and snacking along the way. They asked us to pull the horses away from the food when they started eating; but they wouldn't budge! They kept eating branches and leaves and vines and whatever! Keep moving Nick! Keep Moving Pokey!
Step 4: Go canoeing:
For the record: Aidan, you desperately wanted to catch one of these fish! I don't know what you would have done with them if you caught them, but you totally wanted to catch one so bad! Sushi?
Step 5: Go hiking:
This was a difficult and challenging hike. It was hard for most of us because it was hot and we got a little lost…
It was hard for Yaya because of her bad knee...
And it was hard for you Aidan because it was very overwhelming and with your sensory processing issues, it was really a true challenge…
But… you want to know the amazing thing?
We all made it from the very, very bottom as a whole family...
and we climbed…and we rested (like mermaids)...
…and we climbed some more…
…and we made it to the very, very tip top together as a family!
…and then we climbed down...
…and then we saw the actual Robber's cave! Where Jesse James hid from the law and where he and other old west outlaws his treasure!
But unfortunately, and pretty disappointingly, all the treasure was gone. But, we found something even more amazing…
…VICTORY!
Step 6: enjoy camp life
Camp fires, s'mores, roasting marshmallows, eating marshmallows, a little guitar music, chilling in the cabin playing legos, playing spider-man uno on our picnic table, and more marshmallows. Playing at the playground, looking at bugs, using walkie talkies... That's camp life!
Roger roger? Roger!
Walkie Talkies!
And step 7: Go hunting for treasure... you never know what you may find...
It was a real shame that we couldn't find Jesse James' treasure in the Cave. But you wouldn't believe it…we found some clues and followed them…and you two kids actually found Jesse James' treasure up near the scenic view! Your mom, me, Aunt Sham, and Uncle Joe were all there to witness it!
You guys were SO excited when you found the treasure after hearing each clue!
…like SUPER EXCITED!
That was so cool that you guys found the hidden treasure! I think we all found some treasure on that camping trip….treasure we'll never let go of.
(I'm talking about the memories of all we did and accomplished and enjoyed all together…corny, I know…but still true. treasured memories are the best treasure of all!)
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