Camping at F.D. Roosevelt State Park

Lailey and "Trixie"

This camping trip was one of our best yet! Despite the rough start with crazy thunderstorms which delayed us several hours, the rest of it was a blast. F.D. Roosevelt State Park is another one to add to our list of favorites. (Interesting to note, this is the second year in a row we've been camping on Lailey's birthday. It's usually spring break week and happens to work out that way. Good thing she loves it!)  As you can see from the picture below, we had quite a bit of mud surrounding our site. Since the weather forecast had predicted heavy rain for the last few weeks, I went ahead and ordered the kids some rain boots since we'd need them. I was so glad I did! 

Puddle stomping

How appropriate that his shirt says "I DIG DIRT." He took a nice face plant!

Even with the rain, the temperature wasn't bad, so they were loving all the mud and puddles.

"Buddy, that is NOT a sword!"
I think Maddox and Lailey disagree.

Check out her clothes. She did a nice belly flop - on accident - in the mud puddle.

We usually check in around lunch time or right after, but we didn't get to pick our site and set up camp until after 6:00 pm. It was just cloudy and foggy by then, but we did get more rain around 9:00 or so. Thankfully, the kids were in the tent by then and Davey was able to scramble around to get everything put up while I dressed them for bed. 

 The next morning, the kids boots were still soggy. Since I had forgotten flip-flops (those are now added to my on-going camping list on my computer), they were our only choice. But a nice warm campfire can warm little toesies.

My boys

Fanning the coals

Me and my FIVE-year-old. I can hardly believe it.

One of the hiking trails started just behind our campsite, and there were a couple of bridges back there. While I was wandering around taking pictures (Davey and Maddox must have walked to the bathrooms), I noticed that something had captured Lailey's attention. A squirrel had wandered up and Lailey, ever the animal lover, had welcomed it right to our campsite. As I slowly walked back, not wanting to scare it away, it decided to have breakfast right at our table! I kept talking to Lailey telling her "don't move." Not at easy task for her, but she did it.

The squirrel, soon named "Trixie" (after a dog Lailey met in the campground), found the leftovers from our breakfast, peach oatmeal specifically, and began enjoying it. As you can see from Lailey's laugh, it was very entertaining watching the squirrel pick up our spoons and lick them - yes, LICK them.

That would be a squirrel licking a spoon!

Got any more?

She (he?) was very friendly.

I was concerned about making the poor thing sick from people food, so I took the bowl away (a lot of good that did, as you'll see below). So, then Trixie moved on to Davey, who had returned from his walk with Maddox.

"Hi. Got anymore food?"

"Dude. I know I'm a squirrel and all, but those are some funky shoes."

Apparently peach oatmeal is a delicacy to squirrels, because she wouldn't stop eating it!

"Please, sir, I want some more." 

While Lailey was being a squirrel whisperer, Maddox wandered down to the stream and got stuck down on one knee! It was really funny, but I was trying to be sympathetic and not laugh. 'Cause that's mean. I was only laughing on the inside.

Once Trixie finally ran off, we had to decide what to do about shoes, because Lailey's boots were still wet from the night before and Maddy's right boot was full of water! A short trip into Pine Mountain to the Dollar Store was the answer. I took Lailey with me and we were very lucky to find some cheap Converse knock-offs in their sizes. Phew! I don't mind my kids getting dirty outside, and I hate to restrict them from having fun, but this time they were instructed to stay away from the mud and water! This was their last pair of shoes, and our clothes supply was dwindling as well. 

 With dry shoes, it was finally time for an afternoon hike. This was Maddy's first time not riding in the hiking backpack kid carrier, and he had a great time. It wasn't a super long hike, but we walked and explored for an hour or so. That's pretty good for a 2 yo.

Davey and Maddox on the bridge

Making a hiking song

Me and my happy campers

Enjoying the sun near the dam of Lake Delanor

Maddox loves sticks, and he found another use for them.
They're flying like Buzz Lightyear, yelling "To Infinity...and Beyond!"

Hiking stick fight

Some kind of skink or lizard in a tree. There were two, but one was brave.

Gathered on our hike

While Maddox napped and Lailey played on the playground, Davey got a quiet moment to read.

Blowing out the flaming marshmallows

Sparks and fire

The kids were able to explore and play while we packed up camp the next morning. They love being together most of the time. Here they were just chilling out on the bridge to the hiking trail. Lailey said, "Mom! Look at the cross!" I was taking pictures of them relaxing and she saw it first. So COOL! I will treasure this picture forever.

Maddox with binoculars checking out the trees.

My attempt at one last picture was foiled when Maddox decided he'd rather lie down that sit. Cute anyway!

We ate lunch at a local place on the way out of town, and the kids were asleep soon after in the car. I knew it had been a good camping trip when I was trying to think of a weekend to squeeze in another trip before the GA heat makes it unbearable to be outside. Maybe we will.

Lailey's 5-Year-Old Birthday Interview

Another birthday. Another chance to ask, "when did she get so big?" Another time to be reminded of the sweet miracle of our oldest child. She is a delight every day. A precious, warm-hearted, kind, and goofy kid who lights up the room when she's around. 

This is the third year I've done a "Birthday Interview" with her, and I'm excited to start the tradition with Maddox on his third birthday. Can't wait to see what he comes up with! Feel free to copy this idea to use with your own kids, as it's a fun way to see how they grow through the years. After she watched the finished product, we went back and watched her 3-year-old interview, and 4-year-old interview. Funny how she names the same favorite snacks as last year! And the answer to "what do you want to be when you grow up?" is also the same. It will be cool if she sticks with her answer. Check it out!

I want to share a few things about Lailey, some cute stories, quotes, and pictures, so when she's older we can look back and remember her at this age.

When it comes to personality, there's no doubt we've got an extroverted 5 yo on our hands. She loves making new friends, and welcomes anyone to play with her wherever she is. She enjoys singing on stage, and so far has not exhibited any stage fright, even with pretty large crowds. Drama and theater may be in her future for sure. She has seen two productions this year - Konos Academy's Beauty and the Beast and Legacy Theater's Little Mermaid Jr. - and was totally captivated by both. She sat, enraptured, totally attentive, and - here's the biggie - very STILL to watch the kids on stage. "Still" is not a word used to describe her, so this was quite notable.

She loves animals (did you see the squirrel video at the bottom of the camping trip post?) and right now says she wants to be a vet.

The bee she saw while filming her interview was dead on the window sill the next day.
So we studied him a bit, and she was quite interested, especially when we took him apart.

She loves tea parties, her family, dancing around in fun dress up clothes, and putting on concerts with her brother on the drums.

Lailey and her great-Grandma Cele

She does not usually take a nap anymore, but if I rest in the afternoon, she sometimes can't help falling asleep, and usually in the cutest places...

 ...always with her "miney" (blanket)

 

...and not before she puts her dolls to sleep too.

She loves to be silly and ham it up everywhere she goes.

Old Navy, striking a pose on her own

Sending Daddy silly faces while he's gone.

She came out of her room in the morning dressed like this on our snow day. So funny!

 And she says some great stuff, like:

"Daddy knows more than you because he's a lot bigger than you."

"Mommy, I need to tell you something weird. I can smell fruit snacks in my head just by thinking about them."

(When I offered to take her finished sucker stick) 

"Oh no, I'm not finished. I'm sucking the goodness out."

Even though they fight like siblings do, Lailey and Maddox really love each other. They play all the time, making up games, going on adventures, stealing each other's toys sharing with each other, and snuggling. Most of the time they get along quite well. I hope they continue to have a close bond as they get older.

Snuggling, watching a movie

She's not standing on him, despite the angle.

She enjoys learning and doing school. Recently I showed her how much she's done this school year and how little memory work we have left for our Classical Conversations curriculum. Thinking she would be excited that we've completed so much this year (what do I know?), she instead started crying and said, "I'm almost done with school?!? But I love school!" I assured her we don't have to stop for the summer!

 One of the neatest things about this age is the depth of understanding about spiritual matters. A few months back, while sitting at breakfast, she began a train of thought that went something like this: "Mom, okay, I know that there's only one God, but he's 3. You know...(proceeded to explain the Trinity)...But there's still only one God. I know that."

And then the best part...

"So...how can God walk on the world and still hold it in his hands?" (Lailey, 10.26.13)

I think I sat there for quite awhile, just staring at her, amazed by the depth of the question, and not quite sure how to answer! I do remember it led to a great conversation.

Just the other day, we were singing the U.S. Presidents song and looking at all the Presidents' pictures in our Classical Conversations book. Lailey touched the page and asked me to show her which Presidents were still alive. So, I obliged, pointing out and specifically naming those still living. Once we reached Obama, I added that he is our first black president. (Side note: I have been reading the Addy American Girl series to her, which deals with racial inequality and slavery in the 1860s. Heavy topics, yes, but she seems to understand them pretty well. It's a great opportunity to relate it to Scripture and show her how God sees people's hearts instead of their outward appearance, and we should do the same.) I then told her that unfortunately, Obama does not always make Godly choices for our country. I further explained that this has nothing to do with the color of his skin, but because as far as we know, he does not have a relationship with Jesus. She quickly said,

"Well, we need to pray for Obama to know Jesus, because I want him to go to Heaven so I can meet him."

Wow. Spoken from a 5-year-old. She also reminded me later at prayer time that we needed to pray for the President.

(**Disclaimer: You have the right to disagree with my semi-political statement above. However, whether or not you agree, the President still needs our prayers for running this country. This is my family blog, and not one that is trying to stir up trouble. Thanks!)

This girl loves her Daddy!

While looking through old slides from my dad (Grandpa), Davey came across a photo that made me stop in my tracks. The photo on the left is converted from slide (thank you, Davey!) and is on a camping trip near Crater Lake, Oregon in 1979. The photo on the right is one I shot on our camping trip at F.D. Roosevelt State Park, GA. Even though Lailey has never met her Grandma Neah, she inherited her love and fascination with animals. I will definitely treasure this one forever.

Happy Birthday, Lailey Claire!!

Lailey's 5th Birthday Tea

Birthdays are so fun! Especially when you're turning five and want a tea party. After Christmas, Lailey and I began our usual birthday brainstorming...what are we going to do this year? Since receiving a mini porcelain tea set from my sister for Christmas, she has tea parties almost daily. Her dolls and even Maddox are regular guests. She begs me to make her real tea (which I do occasionally) and she sits on the hard floor with a big towel and pours tea with milk and sugar and drinks it to her heart's content. I was excited when she decided on a tea party for her birthday, because I love tea too.  To begin planning, I cautiously showed her some ideas on Pinterest to see what she would like. I say "cautiously" because even grown-ups (no one I know!) can get sucked into the world of birthday parties on Pinterest. Some folks like to spend hundreds of $$$ on birthday parties for kids. I love special birthday parties, but no need for a huge price tag. Kids don't care! Okay, done with that.

I did decide to do some fun food stuff but keep the decorations really simple. The table would be the main focus with all the dishes and food, and that would be lovely I decided. Cheese and crackers, tea sandwiches (pb & honey, cut into little flowers), crumpets w/ blueberry butter (recipe here), fruit, and tea of course, hot and iced. Oh, and cupcakes for dessert. I can cook well, but for my tiny kitchen, that's a lot of food prep, so I took a short cut and used a strawberry cake mix but made cream cheese icing myself. It was so worth it. I LOVE cream cheese icing and everyone else did too. 

The birthday girl's favorite tea cup

Now, how did Lailey know to ask for crumpets? Well, I'm not entirely sure, except that Davey was joking with her one day awhile back about having a proper tea party with "tea and crumpets" (said in a hoity-toity British accent), and I guess she remembered it. I honestly didn't even know what they were. Check out the link above for pictures and a description, since I didn't get any pictures of mine. Oops!

The tea was "Passion Berry" from Teavana. Lailey picked it because it was a dark pink color when brewed. I sweetened it a little with honey since I didn't know if the kids would like it plain, the way we usually drink it. For the iced tea I made "Opus Rouge," which was delicious too. The cups are actually from England and they belonged to my mom, which made it really special. I was a bit nervous using fine china with kids, but they did really well. One of the reasons we had the party inside is because I have carpet and I hoped that would cushion the fall of any of the dishes.

Lailey enjoying her tea and looking way too grown up.

I said "smile!" and this is what I got. That's my kid!

All the guests were asked to dress up and bring along their favorite doll or stuffed animal (or, in Eli's case, his Spiderman). The toys had tea with a mini tea set while we had ours. Everyone looked so cute all dressed up.

Lailey with Eli, her friend from Classical Conversations (homeschool group)

Maddox enjoying his cupcake (he likes tea too!)

Ella and Stormy

Brookelyn and Camille

Mia

Eli

Zadee

So after all the proper manners and sitting still, it was outside for...piñata time! Lailey really wanted a piñata for her birthday, so being the DIY person I am, I looked up instructions on how to make one. I could have done it, but I ultimately decided that spending $12.99 on Amazon was a great price compared to the hours I would have spent. It's true: time is money. 

Davey giving instructions. Giving kids a stick and telling them to swing is dangerous!

Side note: our neighbors had a baby shower that day, hence all the cars. I love the streamers in the tree. It cracks me up!

Birthday girl goes first. We chose to forego the blindfold since the kids were so young.

That's one determined kid!

Smallest to biggest...Maddox next.

Zadee's turn

Then Mia

Ella takes a swing

Camille up to bat (Lailey and Mia have lost interest in the background)

Stormy gets her chance.

Once all the kids tried (or "whopped it" as Maddox likes to say), Davey knew he'd have to break it since they hadn't even made a dent. Three hits and...the stick broke! Haha. That was a solid piñata! He just dumped the candy on the ground and let them have it.

Everyone had a lovely time, and as you can see, lots of memories were made. It was such a fun "big girl" way to celebrate turning five.