Backyard Campout

About a month or so ago I made one of those summer bucket list things that you saw floating around Pinterest.  I love summer for exactly the opposite reason of something like this.....having NOTHING to do, but knew if I didn't put some "to do's" on the fridge to stare me in the face each day, these three months would fly by all too quickly.

One of these activities was backyard camping.

I'll be the first to say that I am not a camping girl.

Why would you want to sleep anywhere else but your comfy bed?

But I'm married to someone who loves to camp and we both knew the kids would LOVE it.

So last Saturday we broke out the tent and our little camping adventure began around 4pm with tent construction.

During these two hours (not that it takes that long to put up a tent, but honestly I wouldn't know it since Andy, Addison & Graham did all the work.....)

Andy and I "discussed" whether this had really been a good idea after all.

I'm sure the neighbors got a real kick out of listening to some of this discussion of these All-American stellar parents who were just trying to do something fun for their kids.

Once the tent was finally up, and Andy had made a trip to Sports Authority for an air pump for the air mattress that actually worked. (Yes they slept on air mattresses....this was kind of "glamping").....then the fun really got started....and it was actually, FUN.

   ****Quick disclaimer in the interest of being real....

after yelling at the kids for "please just listen to us for once, stop yelling.....don't hit your brother....now get in that tent and pretend you're having fun"....they actually really did start to have fun.

  

then it was time for floating the river....or swimming in the spa. 

  This guy started swim lessons about 3 weeks ago (just once a week) and is the happiest swimmer dead weight in the water.  I'm so glad he's enjoying himself, but it's let's just say he has a long way to go.

Campout food = take out pizza

 As dusk fell it became time to break out the dollar store flashlights and glo sticks.

Then we tried to attempt another Pinterest item of S'more cones.

We were not huge fans of these.

Next time, we'll do the real thing.

After dessert, we took the kids on a star walk, which was actually great and so peaceful.

When we got back, we read some bedtime stories by flashlight in the tent.

and finally around 10 pm, it was.....

Fireworks and a new toy

June gloom has carried over a little bit into July this year.

It made for a different Fourth of July as I spent part of the day bundled in a fleece and our backyard waterslide plans were put off until a warmer day.

We did get together with a few friends for fireworks that night, because what is 4th of July without fireworks?

Sunday night Andy and I discovered that we could see the La Costa Resort fireworks show from our bedroom window.  

We woke the kids because we thought we'd be the cool parents getting them up, but they were not impressed and asked to go back to sleep.

They were impressed on Wednesday though when we took them to Solana Beach with friends to watch the San Diego Fair show.  It was really fun...and the kids did think we were pretty cool for letting them stay up so late.

Addison declared it the best day ever....better than Christmas.

I have been busy with photo sessions and scouring Craigslist for a new lens that I've had my eye on for some time.  I finally found the perfect seller and lens last week.  This time, I feel like it's Christmas.

I haven't gotten to use it on a "real" session yet, but had a chance to start playing around with it last week and LOVE it.

 I also love that Addison doesn't hate the camera anymore.

Or at least she'll let me take some pictures of her if I promise jelly beans....and I'll take what I can get.

Downtown in a Day

Andy and I are trying to check things off our summer bucket list...and enjoy San Diego for all it is.

I can't believe that we've been here almost 2 years!

We decided to make a day of a little ride on a train and took the Coaster downtown.

The kids were pumped to ride on the train, but despite all the excitement, when I asked Addison what her favorite part of the day was during prayers that night, she told me..."eating VG's donuts".

Yeah, they are that good.

We boarded the 8:51 train and were on our way.

 We went through Solana Beach, Del Mar, Old Town, and finally ended up at Sante Fe Station.

First stop was Little Italy's farmer's market....something I've wanted to do for a while.

I loved it!

Not a bad view either....

 After some time at the Farmer's Market, the juiciest peach I've had in my entire life, a stop at Burger Lounge, and a quick stop in to my hair dresser (who just happens to be in Little Italy).

 I may or may not have planned this entire day around that (something Andy may or may not realize yet)...

We were off to Seaport Village

and Graham was ready for a little snooze.

They had random vendors and things to look at...

including a guy who balanced rocks.

No tape, or anything to help them stay he claimed....

 We walked by MidWay and decided that one for for the next trip down the Coaster....

  and realized we still had 2.5 hours to burn before the next train.....the only downfall of this great idea.

So we stopped for Gelato

Gelato only takes so long to eat.

Andy and I were trying to figure out how on earth we were going to entertain these kids for another hour and half.

I suggested we go down a street we hadn't yet and we happened upon this little gem.

And that $3.00 was the best money we spent all day.  

The kids loved it.

Addison wanted to make sure that Graham was buckled in on the ancient fire truck.

 The had fun pulling the alarm....

 and just taking in all the really cool things there were to look at.

This place was awesome.

 They even had an extra playroom for the kids, like looking at really cool fire trucks wasn't enough.

Everytime I tell Addison to make a silly face, this is what she gives me.

And not a minute too soon it was finally time to catch the Coaster back home.

We were all wiped.

 But will definitely be doing this again....just maybe catching an earlier train home.