~A Camping Birthday~

On my actual birthday, May 28th, the kiddos and I set out to play at the park with friends for the morning and had a lovely time.  Then we headed home for lunch and naps because we had big plans for the evening.  We were going camping!!!  My kids love to camp.  In fact they've been asking about it since Christmas time.  When better to go than over Memorial Day weekend!!

Nick came home from work early to help me pack things up while the kiddos napped.  When they woke up I gave everyone their backwards birthday presents and boy were they excited!

The kids both got their very own sleeping bags, flashlights, and a soccer ball to share.  I was nervous that they wouldn't be happy with their gifts because Alec has been asking for a "Big Buzz Lightyear" ever since Christmas.  Lucky for me they were totally stoked!  It probably helped that Alec's flashlight was a "Cars" themed headlamp ("A headlamp just like Daddys!") and Lyssa's flashlight was covered in Tinkerbell fairies.  Honestly Alec didn't take off his headlamp for almost two days and now carries it around in his treasure box when he's not wearing it.  I think it's safe to say he loves it.  

Nick got really spoiled for my birthday, and though he didn't get the big screen tv he's been asking for the past 3 years, he did get RockBand 2 for the Wii, which is a LOT harder to find that you would think!  I couldn't find it anywhere online, so the day before my birthday I skipped naps and drove around to multiple stores with the kiddos.  It took some asking and serious persistence on my part, but I finally found someone at Target willing to go dig around the back room for one that the internet claimed it had instock at the store.  All the employees told me it was a long shot but sure enough they found the one and only Wii Rockband 2 available...  I was sooo proud of myself.  I was exhausted and Lyssa was being a total gremlin, but I though it would all be worth it to surprise Nick.  Then Alec spilled the beans the second Nick got home from work that night.  Nick's face lit up and while he laughed my tired, dramatic mind gave in and I cried. Sigh.  So much for trying to keep a secret.  Nick still did a great job of showing his excitment on my actual birthday. :-)

After presents were opened and the last of our stuff was packed up we headed out to camp with some of our good friends, the Welchs!

Camping with little ones is always a bit crazy, between setting up tents, building fires, gathering wood, keeping everyone safe, etc.  Luckily we have pretty good camping sleepers so at least I knew they wouldn't be keeping me (and the entire camp) up all night.

We dined on tinfoil dinners and roasted smores.  The kids enjoyed it all and it was fun to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.  At the end of the day I went to bed feeling content, knowing another year in this exciting life of mine had begun.  My life is good.  Yes, big changes are already in sight. (Why, hello baby Cordelia!  No need to kick quite so hard, jab my kidneys or sit on my bladder.  I'm quite aware that you are in there, thank you.)  It's bound to be another year of learning, growing (and hopefully shrinking??) and stretching my abilities (Which, let's be honest, can be really really painful!!!), but I have a feeling it will be a great year, just like last year.

Happy 26th Birthday to me!