While The Kids Are Away, The Parents Will Play

I'm already mourning the rapidly approaching death of summer. Even though it's still alive and well, I'm saddened by its inevitable last breath.

I love long days. I love warmth. I love the carefree feeling associated with summer. But mostly I love the long days. They make me happy.

I've got to take advantage of the remaining sunny days.

Shay, Solee, and I spent the day at beautiful Sand Harbor Beach at Lake Tahoe. This place is Heaven on Earth. I love living so near it.

Hiking Buddies

Solee and I are best of hiking buddies. We both love to spend time in the trees. Today we went for a hike up Whites Creek. I usually let Solee do a lot of walking and take the lead setting our pace and how far we go.

Today I wanted to hike the Whites Creek to Thomas Creek loop. Shay has biked it a few times and estimated it to be around 4 miles.

We started our hike after dropping the big kids off at school. Solee wanted to ride in the backpack from the get go. We hiked and chatted and had a fabulous time. Solee got out to walk a couple of times, but mostly wanted to ride. Around Mile 3 I realized that the trail was going to be longer than 4 miles. Solee no longer had the option of walking. I started to worry a little that we wouldn't finish in time to get the kids from school. I upped the pace and continued on the loop that ended closer to 7 miles. Fortunately we finished in time to get the kids.

It was a wonderful hike that left me with that pleasant feeling endorphins provide, dirty feet, and a sleepy toddler. (Solee slept on my back for the last 2 miles, and slept through the transfer from backpack to car seat, car seat to sofa, sofa back to car seat, car seat to being held while waiting to pick up Embrie and Cayben, and then she finally woke to greet her siblings.)

 

I Sent My Kids Off to the Wolves...I Mean Public School

My kids started public school. Is that a good thing? Is that a bad thing? I don't really know, but it's what's happening.

Embrie has been asking to go to public school for a long time. I tend to let my kids have a lot of say in their own lives, so when kindergarten time rolled around I bussed her off to school, but without the bus.

Cayben didn't initially like the idea of public school. I wasn't going to send him. But then some things came up that made me feel like he would benefit from going. Plus, it brings comfort to my mind to know that Embrie's big bro is at school with her. (Bonus: their classes are right next door to each other!)

This crazy kid is sure to keep his little sister safe!

Cayben started school August 10.  Him and I were both incredibly nervous. I prayed that he would get an amazing teacher. I prayed that he would adjust well to the new environment. I prayed that he would love school. And he did! He still does! Every day I pick him up he tells me how wonderful his day has been. Prayers answered.

The girls and I enjoyed a week together before Embrie started school on the 17th, but we missed our boy like crazy.

Embrie was excited for her first day and didn't seem nervous even a little. Her teacher is wonderful, and she too loves school, which I knew she would. I think she will thrive. She's social, friendly, a good listener, and a hard worker. She's going to rock her kindergarten year!

Embrie with her best buddy and her best sister!

Now it's just Solee and me hanging out during the days. It's been really nice spending one-on-one time with her. Although she tells me she needs to go to preschool. I assure her that we do preschool at home, but she's not buying it. I win this time though. I'm not sending my baby away just yet. She's my hiking buddy, and who would keep me company at the grocery store if she were gone to school?

Hiking Whites Creek

Library Story Time

I love my kids so much and like any parent I just want what's best for them. Who knew it would be so hard knowing what's best for them? I do know that we are all happy right now!

Oh, and I also sent Shay off to graduate school at UNR. He might feel a little uneasy about school, but I'm not worried. By now I know he's a pro at school. Now he just needs to realize it.

We had a little back to school celebration too because...you know...

Smith Lake

Back in my college days (Do I talk about those days a lot? They were happy times.) I used to go backpacking quite a bit. I continued to backpack after graduation when I was pregnant with Cayben. We backpacked with Cayben when he was little. Then we had a second child and we couldn't figure out how to carry at least one child and enough gear for four people to hike to a beautiful back-country landscape and camp. So we didn't. We car camped instead.

Well finally. Finally! Our backpacking days have returned!

On Friday while the kids were in school, Shay and I gathered all our camping gear- sleeping bags, pads, tent, clothes, food, stove, etc. and shoved most of it into and onto two backpacks. Cayben had mentioned he would like to carry a pack, so we bought a little pack that fit just his sleeping bag and pad. We rounded up two more little packs so the girls could feel awesome too! (Solee carried some of our most valuable items- 3 boxes of candy that would serve as motivators to make it to the lake.)

Embrie, Solee, & Cayben

After the kids got out of school we headed up to Plumas National Forest. When we got to the trail head, the weather was cooling and the kids were ready to make the moderately steep 1 mile hike to Smith Lake!

The hike was slow because three year-olds are easily distracted, but we made it and without any complaining from the kids!

Shay, Solee, Cayben, & Embrie

Next, the kids ate their candy and Shay and I set up the tent. The evening was spent enjoying the quiet forest and watching the sunset. And only two of the three kids fell into the cold lake! Haha!

 

The night sky was beautiful and we all slept peacefully.

We woke to the crisp morning air on Saturday and waited for the sun to peak over the trees and warm us. On camping trips I always anticipate the warm direct sun and am drawn to the patches of earth that are being kissed with its golden glory. This fallen tree in the sun was calling my name and I greeted it with some sun-salutations and stretching.

We spent the day enjoying the lake and even swam a little.

We hiked out Saturday afternoon. The hike out was accompanied with a little complaining from the kids due to the heat, and Solee required I carry her the majority of the time, but we made it.

We did it! Our first family backpacking trip since the girls were born. It was so fun, and Solee is already asking to go back.