Big Trees, Shells, Oceans, and No Cell Service

This year for vacation we headed down to California. The kids and I have never been to the redwoods, so it was an easy decision.

We camped in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.  The campground was beautiful with the Smith River running right behind our campsite, through a conveniently placed bramble of poison oak. I now have a new super power of identifying poison oak, and it only took a little pain to develop. The first night I blindly stumbled through greenery, to realize only afterwards it was truly poison oak. I only had a mild reaction and we managed to avoid it for the rest of the week.

The bathrooms were also beautiful, with running water and flush toilets. They were also an invigorating uphill hike from our site, a hike I made numerous times a day and sometimes in the dead of night. The four bathrooms were shared by most of California, I believe, and we spent much time visiting with other persons from across the U.S. as we waited our turn for the facilities. I feel like I should have taken a picture of the bathroom, for we spent a considerable amount of time lingering around them.

We of course hiked to see big trees, some close to our campsite, some down a narrow dirt road frequented by tourists, others across a footbridge spanning the river. After the first round of big trees, the kids whined about any more hikes to see trees. We hiked, they complained and only the trees listened.

 In trees,

 on fallen trees,

on splintered trees, 

around trees,

and even under the roots of trees. We hiked, they whined, we persevered.

We were also a short drive from the ocean. So we went; a lot. Grace and Michael spent hours looking for shells, while the others entertained themselves the best they knew how.

Libby insisted on being buried face down. I don't know why. They were all playing nicely together. I chose to ignore their strangeness.

Everyone collected a few sand dollars and shells, and Michael took a picture before they all were broken.

Grace needed a picture with all her shells. All her shells from this one trip to the beach, that is. When we were loading the van to come home we were quickly running out of room, despite eating all the food. Michael wondered why we had even less room now. I didn't wonder. All the extra room was taken up by shells. My van smells "low tide fresh," a smell that will probably never dissipate. 

We adored all the beaches, even though the water was freezing, the kids still managed to come home covered in sand and salt. Thank goodness the campground had showers; pay showers. The kids learned to shower quickly. I may install one at home.

We spent a week exploring majestic, ancient woods and beaches, and infrequently had access to wi-fi or cell reception. My kids got along amazingly well. Maybe we will eschew electronics and become Amish. The type of Amish without computers but with washing machines, dishwashers, flush toilets and cars. A girl can dream.

Swimmers

Grace and Sam were my only kids that participated in swim team this year. Ethan would like to make it known that he isn't a quitter; he was just busy between his job and online classes. Libby would probably present similar excuses. I think they just didn't relish getting in the pool at 7:30 every morning for the first six weeks of summer. Babies.

This is Grace's second year and Sam's first year (nobody got kicked out this year!). Grace started out the year insisting she could only do home meets and only one event at each. She was so anxious about the meets that she could hardly function. At the first home meet, she was almost in tears before her event. Halfway through the season she decided she loves meets and started signing up for all of them, in as many events as possible. She even swam butterfly, which is a first for any of my children.  Sam did not share her anxiety or her later excitement. He just kind of followed along. He did become a much stronger swimmer this year, which is the reason I keep putting them in swim.

At the last meet Grace took 6th out of 30 kids for breast stroke and Sam got 3rd out of 10 kids for the same stroke. It was fun to see them place. My kids are usually among the slowest swimmers. Grace was bitter that Sam got 3rd and she only got 6th, until I explained percentiles to her. Then she happily told everyone she was 6th out of 30 and Sam only competed against 10 kids, every time Sam mentioned getting third place. Sigh. We are working on sportsmanship.

Grace also just mastered diving and flip turns, so she is excited to see how it will improve her time in the All City Meet. I was hoping to skip this two day, all day event, but she is determined. I guess I will go and support her. It's what a good parent would do, but nobody said I can't whine a little bit.

My Baby's 9

I was talking to Sam about his birthday dessert this year. After throwing around a few ideas, he excitedly asked "Can you make a cake shaped like Captain America's shield?!"

I verified (being non-superhero savvy), "It's a circle with a star in the middle?"

Sam enthusiastically stated, "Yeah, it's round with a star in the middle and blue and red rings."


"Yes, Sam. I can make a round cake. That is definitely something I am capable of."

He was super stoked and I was very relieved. I'm not great at this cake decorating thing. Yummy cakes, yes. Pretty cakes, no.

I will be the first to point on all the wonky bits of this cake, but all Sam saw was a Captain America cake with his name on it! He was so happy. I love when they are easy to please. Holding with the events of previous years, he once again did not eat any of his birthday dessert. I don't know if he too excited, or what, but he always takes about one bite and moves on to other things. At least he thought it looked awesome. As a person who will always eat cake, I'm not sure about his thought process.

 Sam's presents (like the last three years worth) were centered around superheroes,

 and comic books. This kid really loves all things superhero.

His cousin, Maggie, even made a special Sam/Aquaman card for his birthday. I love how much work she put into this card. I had to take a picture because I'm sure Sam will lose the card soon. It's worth remembering.

We are looking forward to the new adventures of Sam's 9th year. He can now be dropped off at the pool by himself, he will be starting public school, and he can almost stay home alone. It will be an exciting year.

Vocab Lessons

Libby, directed at Ethan: I am better at tennis than you are.

Ethan: No you're not. You're a girl, you can't be better.

Grace was several rooms away, but must have been listening. Grace's voice drifted to the front of the house. "Misogynist!"

I love when little people use great big words, and correctly! It fills me with joy.

McCall

All four kiddos posing with the bears. I wonder how long they will humor me. I'm hoping for another 30-40 years.


A picture from the first time we were in McCall. Apparently Grace was napping. Look how little they are!

We once again managed to be in McCall over Father's Day. This is Michael's favorite place to be on Father's Day. It may because of the beautiful scenery, the opportunity to spend time together as a family, the laid back pace, or it might be because the local ward serves pie to the fathers.  Yeah, it's the pie, in all the many varieties. He sampled as many as he could manage. He was happy. And this time they opened it up to the whole ward, so we all got pie!

It was pretty cool while we were in McCall. It kept the kids out of the lake, for the most part. Not so much the dog.

Our last night we walked down to enjoy the sunset. It wasn't as remarkable as in times past, but it was still pretty and peaceful.

Our kids don't enjoy pretty and peaceful. Instead they decided it was time go swimming, at ten o'clock at night, in their pajamas. I think Michael was having a anxiety attack over the sand and wet.

Thankfully I don't share his aversion to mess, so the kids were allowed to be weirdos.

It was a good evening.

After a long weekend we headed home. Everyone slept very well.