Sunday, July 19, 2009
Playmobil Fun
Amanda knows how long it takes -- a set for each birthday and each Christmas for ten years. She had fun setting up most of the Playmobil this week. We've kept to the medieval theme -- so the princesses, fairies, enchanted forests, fairy tales, knights, warriors, and pirates all mix and match to create one amazing fantasy land. She insists that even the Nativity fits in (every castle needs peasants).
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Summer Pops
Utah Symphony Summer Pops Concert at the Thanksgiving Point Waterfall Amphitheater
When J recognized the Blue Danube Waltz on the radio commercial, "It's Little Einsteins . . . when they're skiing down the hill," I knew we had to go! We sat at the back so the little boys had room to wiggle and giggle without bothering others. It was familiar classical dance music -- with a couple of toe-tapping Sousa marches. J had fun conducting with glow sticks after dark.
When J recognized the Blue Danube Waltz on the radio commercial, "It's Little Einsteins . . . when they're skiing down the hill," I knew we had to go! We sat at the back so the little boys had room to wiggle and giggle without bothering others. It was familiar classical dance music -- with a couple of toe-tapping Sousa marches. J had fun conducting with glow sticks after dark.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Real Wildlife
We enjoyed a fabulous Independence Day weekend at Fish Lake. So many of our vacations lately have been last minute let's go! that I had forgotten that half the fun of vacation is the anticipation that accompanies a few weeks of planning. I couldn't wait to get up in the mountains to enjoy the cool weather, the smell of wet aspen, the wildlife, and my family! As we drove the couple of hours to south central Utah, I tried to coax excitement from them. I rambled on and on about previous camping trips we enjoyed in that area.
Amanda, do you remember when we saw the petroglyphs at Capitol Reef?
NO.
Do you remember when we went to church in the Fish Lake Lodge -- in our jeans and smelling like campfire?
NO.
Do you remember tying streamers to your bike and riding in the 4th of July parade at Antimony? Remember the pet goats in dresses?
NO. The only thing I remember is when you made me take a bath in a plastic tote!
You were four.
It's my most embarrassing moment ever.
Then why do I even bother packing up these little boys for a family vacation? They will never remember it.
It's OK mom, I remember being together.
As we climbed in elevation my excitement increased!
Look at the flowers . . . look at the trees . . . I've never seen it so green in July!
Bill and Amanda were amused . . . maybe annoyed.
Look at the stream . . . can you see a beaver dam . . . wouldn't it be great to see a beaver?
Bill & Amanda rolled their eyes, not so silently.
Look at the pond . . . moose eat those willow bushes . . . wouldn't it be great to see a moose?
Bill & Amanda began to tease me.
Bill: Or an elephant!
Amanda: Or a giraffe!
J jumped right in with: How 'bout a triceratops!
We laughed and laughed! And then realized how disappointed he will be when he finds out that he can't see a triceratops when we're camping . . . or even at the zoo.
This is going to be great!
Amanda, do you remember when we saw the petroglyphs at Capitol Reef?
NO.
Do you remember when we went to church in the Fish Lake Lodge -- in our jeans and smelling like campfire?
NO.
Do you remember tying streamers to your bike and riding in the 4th of July parade at Antimony? Remember the pet goats in dresses?
NO. The only thing I remember is when you made me take a bath in a plastic tote!
You were four.
It's my most embarrassing moment ever.
Then why do I even bother packing up these little boys for a family vacation? They will never remember it.
It's OK mom, I remember being together.
As we climbed in elevation my excitement increased!
Look at the flowers . . . look at the trees . . . I've never seen it so green in July!
Bill and Amanda were amused . . . maybe annoyed.
Look at the stream . . . can you see a beaver dam . . . wouldn't it be great to see a beaver?
Bill & Amanda rolled their eyes, not so silently.
Look at the pond . . . moose eat those willow bushes . . . wouldn't it be great to see a moose?
Bill & Amanda began to tease me.
Bill: Or an elephant!
Amanda: Or a giraffe!
J jumped right in with: How 'bout a triceratops!
We laughed and laughed! And then realized how disappointed he will be when he finds out that he can't see a triceratops when we're camping . . . or even at the zoo.
This is going to be great!
Rustic Cabin
I was so excited to find a cabin available for July 4th weekend! Prepayment required and no refund within 30 days. Still, an available cabin, and only $45 per night! When I received reservation confirmation in the mail I also received:
NOTE: The rustic camping cabins are OLD and they have very OLD furnishings. They are clean and kept up to the best of our ability, but they are OLD and they look it. No Towels are provided, you must bring your own.
And later I reviewed Off the Beaten Path and the author noted “ . . . beware of the “rustic” cabins . . . "
And later I reviewed Off the Beaten Path and the author noted “ . . . beware of the “rustic” cabins . . . "
So we weren't expecting much. But look how cute! And the back-yard was fantastic!
All He Wants To Do Is . . . FISH
As soon as J realized we were going to a lake, he started asking if he could fish. Where did he learn about fishing? We don’t fish.
Can I fish? Can I fish at the lake? Can I fish with a fishing pole? Can I fish at the lake with a fishing pole? On and on. We tried to distract him with the promise of hiking a trail, seeing a deer, or building a fire. No luck. As we checked in at the lodge, he eyed a kid-sized fishing pole for sale. He wanted it so bad. Let’s see if Uncle Daniel brings a fishing pole. OK he agreed hopefully. No luck. And not distracted. All he wanted was to fish. No hiking, no playing, no eating, no sleeping. So we bought that kid-sized Cars theme fishing pole – without the hook and bait -- and wondered if watching a three-year-old cast Lightning McQueen's tire weight into Fish Lake required a license.
He loved it! He was not interested in anything but fishing. Other kids played in the water, but J fished. At least he was good about sharing his fishing pole, and clapped with excitement when others learned how to cast the line. He loved it so much and showed such dedication that we began to feel guilty knowing that he couldn't catch a fish without a hook and bait. Luckily on Day 2:
Bill: Good news!
J: Mommy, mommy I caught a fish!
Carol: What? But . . .
Amanda: He caught a mossy fish.
J: Yes, I caught a mossy fish and threw it back in!
And later after hours on the shoreline, he watched the other fishermen longingly: I need a boat. I need a boat to fish.
Can I fish? Can I fish at the lake? Can I fish with a fishing pole? Can I fish at the lake with a fishing pole? On and on. We tried to distract him with the promise of hiking a trail, seeing a deer, or building a fire. No luck. As we checked in at the lodge, he eyed a kid-sized fishing pole for sale. He wanted it so bad. Let’s see if Uncle Daniel brings a fishing pole. OK he agreed hopefully. No luck. And not distracted. All he wanted was to fish. No hiking, no playing, no eating, no sleeping. So we bought that kid-sized Cars theme fishing pole – without the hook and bait -- and wondered if watching a three-year-old cast Lightning McQueen's tire weight into Fish Lake required a license.
He loved it! He was not interested in anything but fishing. Other kids played in the water, but J fished. At least he was good about sharing his fishing pole, and clapped with excitement when others learned how to cast the line. He loved it so much and showed such dedication that we began to feel guilty knowing that he couldn't catch a fish without a hook and bait. Luckily on Day 2:
Bill: Good news!
J: Mommy, mommy I caught a fish!
Carol: What? But . . .
Amanda: He caught a mossy fish.
J: Yes, I caught a mossy fish and threw it back in!
And later after hours on the shoreline, he watched the other fishermen longingly: I need a boat. I need a boat to fish.
Rocky Mountain Pelicans?
Who knew these live at 9,000 ft? Check out the size of the pelicans compared to the geese.
I've been wanting to post about pelicans for a few weeks and have tried unsuccessfully for a picture. These Fish Lake pelicans will do.
I've been wanting to post about pelicans for a few weeks and have tried unsuccessfully for a picture. These Fish Lake pelicans will do.
Although I complain incessantly about my long commute to work, there is one thing that I look forward to each morning – seeing the pelicans on the wetlands pond at the Utah Botanical Center just off the freeway in Kaysville. They are only around in the summer. When I mentioned them to my friend at work, she teased me, "Pelicans in Utah? . . . impossible . . . they only live in Florida and Mexico." So each morning I find myself second guessing -- they are pelicans . . . no, they're really white geese . . . no.
Now that I've seen these pelicans at Fish Lake, I am confident that there are pelicans in Kaysville.
All Natural Jungle Gym
After playing with the cousins on the all natural jungle gym at the playground in Capital Reef National Monument, we hiked the Grand Wash 2.5 miles. Great job Amanda and J!
July 4th SNOW?
Although it was in the high 90's at Capitol Reef and almost too hot to hike, we came back to camp to find snow! Of course, S'mores taste better in the snow.
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