Nature Safari Camp

...otherwise known as Bass Pro Shop Camp, was on our list of things we couldn't miss! Kayli couldn't wait to put on her really cool nature safari vest that she got from Santa this year! The vest has lots of pockets for all her gear, and loops to hook things to, like a lantern, whistle, & compass. The possibilities are endless! She even managed to add a hat to the ensemble just before this outing...

we invited Lily and Graeme to come along the first day we went to check out the "camp". The way the brochure was worded, it appeared that the workshops would be held every 20 minutes for a couple of hours. What really happened was that a different topic was presented every hour, on the hour, from noon to 4:00. Right after listening to a presentation on topics like "bird watching", "camping", "water safety", for about 15 minutes...some presenters were interesting, some, not so much...

the kids were then sent to a particular area of the store to find answers to questions on their scavenger hunt paper...

there were distractions along the way...

But, they were fun distractions, and we still managed to get our papers filled out and back to the "camp counselor" for approval, so the kids could earn their free lanyard and pins, woohoo!!!

in between topic presentations, there was also a craft area, and some archery opportunities...

the girls made necklaces with a compass in the middle, very cool...

we stopped in the restaurant for ice cream treats before calling it a day, around 2:00 (Graeme needed a nap). Since Kayli had only earned half of the available pins for her lanyard, she begged me to let her return on Thursday to earn the rest! I had no problem returning on Thursday, as she is soaking up lots of good information at this fun, but educational camp!

When we returned on Thursday, we stayed from noon to 4:00! Kayli earned the rest of her pins, she got to try out some "real archery" (longer arrows, but still had rubber tips) and she had a ball!

she was asked to volunteer during the water safety talk...

demonstrating what happens when your life jacket is too big...

we stopped here to have a little snack and drink...

before trying out luck at the wide mouth bass station...

ahhh, this sure has been a great way to explore the outdoors without having to swat one single fly or mosquito!!!

Kayli bought a new lantern to hang on her vest...

and I brought home this "surprise" that I'll pull out some night this summer for some magical fun!

 

 

Dragon Boat Festival

The dragon boat festival is always a fun way to start off the summer! It's a tiny little festival held on one end of the plaza. While the dragon boats are racing on the water below the street, different groups of kids and adults are performing on the street stage. There are a few vendors selling Asian goods, and a big tent set up with crafts for the kids. Kayli would be singing with the children's choir, and she and I were really looking forward to this fun day!

Aunt Laura met us at the festival...

we watched some of the dragon boats race down the creek. The ones in yellow got a little off course...

then, we watched another dragon boat racing event for kids, no water needed...

Go, Kayli, Go...

Woohoo! High Five Partner!

and the winner gets a 1st place ribbon, yeeha!

time for a quick practice for the choir...

then, it was showtime...

the kids did great, and followed Miss Dana's lead beautifully...

There were fewer kids singing this year, as some of the usual group were out of town. There was a also a new member, Jade, the youngest at age 3. The kids sang the "color song" without a hitch, and did a great job. Then it was time for the new song they just learned, "the dragon boat song". Darn the equipment malfunction, the CD wouldn't play the music! So, Miss Dana just forged ahead directing them to sing without the music, a capella! Not quite the same effect without the music, as they had some tiny singing voices, but they sang it all the way through, performing the actions, well, here it appears that Kayli is the only one rowing her boat, but they were all  just as cute as can be!

here they all are turned towards the CD player off stage, watching, waiting...

After the singing, many of the kids went on to perform dance routines. Kayli, Laura, and I checked out the vendors, then Laura headed home while Kayli and I ended up back at the craft tent. Kayli just had to make sure she had completed one of EVERYTHING!  This sure was a fun day!  

 

 

National Donut Day!

We had no problem honoring this national holiday!

Oh yeah, we just loooove that sweetness! Then, we headed out for the last day of vacation bible camp. Kayli, in her usual fashion, was skeptical about this week, when we arrived on Monday for this cool half day bible camp. I heard her asking the teacher "Now, will this be over in about an hour?" By the time I picked her up, at the end of that morning, she had made a great friend and was singing a new song. By Friday, she thought this camp was totally awesome! The parents were invited to come and watch the kids perform some of their songs on the last day. It was really fun!

 next week we're going to be totally spontaneous and go where the spirit moves us to go from day to day, hour to hour, and minute to minute. This is a great exercise for a total "planner" like me!

Warm Weather Boots?

With all this crazy weather...snow in May, then 80s, then 30s, then 80s again, we've had the winter clothes, the summer clothes, the winter boots, the summer sandals, and everything in between, out of our closets and dressers from day to day. So, I guess it's no wonder that as Kayli prepared to water her new strawberry plant in her swimsuit on this hot evening in May, she apparently decided that mixing and matching seasonal clothing, adding her pink sparkle winter boots, was the new wave of fashion, ha!

Happy Mothers Day!

It was early morning, my sweet girl walked into my bedroom carrying this tray…two tall glasses of water, one with a lid, one without (you know where this is going)…

 

… and two bowls of dry “Life” cereal. I sit up in bed, smiling, I take the tray and set it down in the middle of my bed. At this very moment, the uncovered glass of water tips over and begins to run off the tray, pooling onto my comforter. I reach to pick up the glass and manage to clip the side of the paper cereal bowl, flipping it completely over and spilling the “Life” cereal in the pool of water on my comforter. (We all know what happens to “Life” cereal when it gets wet, right? It becomes mushy oatmeal!) At this point, Kayli looks at me for her cue, and I burst out laughing! So the two of us laugh and laugh while we begin the clean-up. Really, it was quite the comical event. Thank goodness she didn’t decide to bring me coffee!!!

Once the washer was filled with bedding and chugging away, we headed downstairs to finish breakfast at the table! I poured myself a nice hot cup of coffee, and defrosted some breakfast pastries for just this kind of occasion! Kayli had made me a nice card at school...

Ha, I am so glad she appreciates the fact that I feed her, haha, and it gets equal billing with how I sometimes let her choose. I would say that gets me "Mom of the Year!" Love how kids just state the facts! I do love that she thinks I'm nice and pretty!

There was also this nice card that I let Kayli pick out at the store last week in anticipation of this day...

which came with this nice necklace that we picked out together...

today, our long overdue Spring weather had finally arrived, and we couldn't wait to get to the park!

Kayli started to feed the geese, and discovered this poor handicapped goose that was limping and holding up one leg...

Poor thing, Kayli decided he should get ALL our bread crumbs!

we took a leisurely walk around the lake, stopping now and then to check out something new...

or just pose for a picture since mom just loves to try out new settings on her camera...

love that bokah background!

there was a very cool new playstructure at the park! That double ring spins!!!

now this will give you a work-out!

Kayli made a friend, and the two were off and running and/or climbing!

on our way home we had to stop by Lily and Graeme's brand new house to give their mom and dad a housewarming plant. Lily was not there, but Graeme was ready to play, and mimic everything Kayli did. Kayli kept trying to teach him words..."Graeme, say caaar"...

then the two of them enjoyed a snack together, and lots of laughs (Graeme thought Kayli was a crack-up)...

Now it was time to start thinking about getting everything ready for school tomorrow, waaa. Kayli said that she really thinks Mothers Day should be on a Monday and everyone should get the day off so we could really celebrate all day Sunday, stay up late on Sunday night, and get to sleep-in on Monday. Ohhhh, I like the way this girl thinks!!!