Week 21

This past week we took our biggest adventure in 5 months.  We headed out on an RV adventure with some friends to South Dakota.  Our first stop was the Oregon Trail rutts, which was pretty amazing to see.  

Our first overnight stop was in Hot Springs, South Dakota at the cutest little campground called Hidden Lake. 

All 8 of us piled into this 32 foot camper.  It was tight, but manageable and except for the first night, we had great weather and were able to spend most of our time outdoors.

The lake had kayaks and canoes to rent, as well as a dock to jump off of and swim in the lake.  We spent most of the first day swimming and boating.

We met a really friendly dad who had brought his 12 year old daughter on an adventure as well.  We ended up building a big fire and roasting smores with them (socially distanced).

After two nights, we headed to the Mount Rushmore area.  We realized how different South Dakota is handling this pandemic when we arrived at the campground.  There were very few masks and so we mostly stuck to our area.  The same was true at Mount Rushmore.  Brian estimated 5% of people were wearing masks.

The kids passed the time whittling wood, shooting arrows and using sling shots.  We also braved the pool, but honestly it was too crowded.  

Crazy horse, while you can only see it from a distance, is truly amazing.  I was there 20 years ago, and while they have made progress, its indicative of just how large this project is and how long it takes to create such a massive art piece.

After Rushmore, we headed over to the Badlands.  While beautiful and incredible, it didn't capture us the same way some national parks do.  We only spent one night in that area, though the campground was fun.  It also had a pool, bikes to rent, a mini golf course and ice cream.  

 

Week 20

I took exactly 0 pictures this week, but that doesn't mean it wasn't eventful.  We were able to book extra sessions at our pool, so we spent a lot of hours swimming (B absolutely loves the pool and has remastered swimming).  A and I helped my brother move into his new place, we did a ton of laundry and packing for our upcoming trip, we rode bikes, LT got a new graphics card for his computer, Brian resprained his ankle (total bummer) and we (older boys and parents) have been enjoying watching Alone.  Both A and I finished a few books this week, which always feels like an accomplishment.  During my early morning reading session I discovered we have a mouse, now named Cheesy (boys choice).  B did a lot of magna tile building and Legos and has continued with his incredible interest in numbers (we started working on reading, though it doesn't capture his interest as much.). 

Week 19

 A had a special week at Avid Camp.  A friend of mine has 3 kids (one being a close friend of A) and organized an at home Avid camp with the 4 kids.  They wore masks and spent the whole week outside except for bathroom breaks. He learned all kinds of survival skills, rode bikes all over, played lots of games and did a lot of outdoor cooking.

 On Friday, the last day, they invited parents over a bit early for the awards.  LT and I were already over in the area (he had gone swimming with a friend) and so the two of us went.

 On Monday our amazing housekeeper came to clean.  To keep everyone safe, I made back to back reservations at our pool.  They have 90 minute slots, with a 30 minute break to clean in between.  However, if you make back to back reservations, you can stay at the pool at your table for the extra 30 minutes.  Brian picked up lunch during that time and we ended up with a 3 1/2 hour slot.  It was eerily empty and quiet for those 30 minutes.

 For field trip Friday (on Thursday) we took a ride in the RV that our friends recently bought.  We are going to South Dakota next week with them and so we did a test ride (realizing that its not very safe for little B, so we will be driving our own car and sleeping in the camper). 

In addition, we did lots of art, swimming (swim team and just swimming with cousins at the pool), had a birthday celebration at my parents house with my brother and nephews, dinner with Baba, made water ramps out of hot wheel tracks for water Wednesday and had friends over for an ice cream backyard playdate (none of which were photographed, but were all really fun).

Week 18

 The week started off right by me hosting "Ladie's Day" at our backyard pool.   There were 7 of us, but the only photo I took was before the others had arrived.  Its become a tradition for this group to go to the longstanding Ladies Day at Virginia Vale and so to continue the tradition covid style, we moved it to our yard since no guests are allowed at the pool this year.

 I didn't take many photos this week, but B's morning activities (while Brian and I worked out) was some math (tube and shark math).

 We had put away the perler beads for a few years, but they came out again this week and were a huge hit for all 3 kids.

 We took one of A's friends on a walk to get ice cream.

 The boys did a lot of biking and scootering in the alley and streets, but the only photo I have was of the caterpillar they found.

 A's camp last week was all about archery and he has brought this new interest home.  We picked up materials from curbside at Home Depot yesterday for them to make home made bow and arrows and each kid made their own target for practice.

Week 17

 We spent a few days at the pool (and by days, I mean our 90 minute reservation time).

 After a pretty low key non structured beginning to our summer (mostly trying to be flexible with swim team and camp cancellations etc), we realized we needed a little structure or predictability.  We implemented water Wednesday and field trip Friday.  Last week we did a big bike wash for water Wed and then swam in our pool.  A had camp in Boulder so he wasn't around to participate.  

 With a little science as an added bonus.

 I had coffee with a friend the morning of my birthday and A babysat B.  While I was gone, they made and hung this very large sign, which was so sweet.

 For field trip Friday we went to the Botanic Gardens and walked around for an hour or so.  It was really hot so we didn't stay long.

 Also to get out of Brian's hair while he recorded a presentation in his covid presentation attire.

 And then we headed to the mountains for the weekend where we did lots of snuggling, some hiking, trail running, made sand layered art and scootered with neighbors up there.