Camp Marion

I have been in a blogging hiatus for the last two weeks or so because we have undertaken the task of potty training Harper and Jack (no worries- I will not be posting details about that journey). Because my life has been consumed with trips back and forth to the bathroom and loads of laundry, I haven't gotten a chance to update our summer adventures. So, I thought I would take some time to look back at our fun weekend at Camp Marion.

My Aunt Becky and Uncle Rex, who live on a lake, host a weekend each summer that brings the Houston cousins and the Frisco cousins together for some fun in the sun, a celebration of Granny's birthday, and some much needed family time.

Jack and Harper had been looking forward to seeing their cousins Wyatt and Sloane and talked about going to Aunt Becky's for days before we actually embarked on our journey. There were promises of getting the pool, going on the boat, and playing in the backyard- all of which came to fruition.

The kids did great with Wyatt and Sloane, and Wyatt and Sloane did great with them. It's so neat to see our kids play with their cousins and really be able to interact with them this year. Wyatt had a Nerf gun and Jack had a great time watching Wyatt shoot the foam bullets after which, Jack would run to retrieve them and give the bullets back to Wyatt. Sloane and Harper spent quite a bit of time playing in the play kitchen and playing with Duplo Blocks. I was so pleased that the girls got along (Harper has hit an independent streak and I didn't know if Sloane would like that so much).

The cousins went swimming together. Harper and Jack weren't too sure about the big pool on day 1, but they both got in and swam around. Jack partnered up with my sister, Aunt Ki Ki, and had a great time in the pool float. After about 20 minutes in the big pool, Harper decided the baby pool was more her speed and she and Jack spent the time before dinner playing in the water- Pop made a great life guard.

 

This year was the first year that the little cousins got to actually partake in the overnight experience at Camp Marion. The kids and I spent one night and shared a room, which worked out really well. We put the kids in a queen sized blow up mattress together (we laid them crossways so they had lots of room to roll) and after some reassurance that they wouldn't fall off (this bed was a tall blow up bed), they settled down. When I came in to get in bed, this is what I found:

Harper woke up in the middle of the night scared that she was going to fall off, so I ended up sleeping on the kids bed between Harper and edge. I actually fell back asleep and we all woke up in the morning with smiles.

 

Day 2 we went for a boat ride. Harper and Jack were both very excited that Uncle Rex let them drive the boat.  Harper got in the lake with Aunt Becky when we stopped so Wyatt could explore an island. Jack took a quick dip in the lake and then enjoyed the rest of the boat ride with his eyes closed and the wind in his face- he was a happy guy.

After the boat ride we went to Nana and Pop's house for the day. Nana was out of town so we went to keep Pop company and check on Abby Dog who had been staying with Pop for the night. We had Mexican food for lunch, took a good nap, and played in the backyard with a new slide Nana and Pop got. The kids were tuckered out and slept good that night, which was good, because the next day we were back at the lake.

Camp Marion continued with a birthday celebration for Granny! Harper and Jack got to wear silly glasses, sing happy birthday, and partake in some yummy cake and ice cream. The kids also spent the afternoon swimming- they did better in the big pool this time- and got in a little more play time with their cousins. The kids were out late and I was certain they would be asleep before we could get home, so I brought their pajamas and they took a bath in a big jetted tub (they loved that).

I was right about having sleepers when we got back to Nana and Pop's house- Jack was out and I carried him up to bed without a word. Harper woke up long enough to ask about Jack and then she was out again.

We ended our trip with a relaxing Sunday at Nana and Pop's: church and lunch and some play time. Nana went on a trip with her friends and brought the kids back a little something- some aprons and chef hats and mitts. Harper even wore her apron home with her :)

Camp Marion is a weekend I look forward to every summer, and I know that the kids enjoy it so much as well. It's fun to play at the lake, but it's most fun to see our family and to see how much fun the kids have together. Thank you for hosting our crazy traveling circus, Aunt Becky and Uncle Rex,we can't wait until next year!

Here's a recent pic and one from two summers ago- cousins are the best.

Our First Trip to the Zoo

Two weeks ago Tony and I took Harper and Jack to the zoo which is something we've been wanting to do all year. We knew that the summer would be hot, so I set out to find an efficient way to cover the most ground and hit the high points for the kiddos.  I printed map in advance and plotted out our route.

We told Jack and Harper about the zoo trip earlier in the week and they woke up each morning saying "I'm going to the zoo today!" They were so excited when Saturday rolled around and they were really getting to go to the zoo. Nana and Pop met went with us, and we all crowded into the van with the big stroller and set out on our adventure. 

Overall, I think Harper and Jack had a great time. We started with the monkeys and rhinos and elephants and giraffes and then saw the lions and tigers and moved on to the kangaroos, birds, zebras and a variety of other animals. Below are pictures of some of our favorites- Tony did a great job snapping these photos.

 

In addition to the animals, Harper and Jack also enjoyed looking at the statues, playing in the old west stage coach, and, most of all, riding the train that runs from the back of the zoo to the front of the zoo. This train was a nice cool way to end our zoo trip, and we boarded the train at just the right time to finish up the zoo before lunch- which was one of my goals.

 

We did make a stop at the gift shop to get just one thing each (both kids picked stuffed animals and both kids made their selection within 3-4 minutes of being in the store- score!)

After the zoo Nana and Pop treated us to lunch at their club. Jack was very excited to watch the golfers zoom around in the golf carts and the kids got to see where Tony and I had our reception. Jack kept saying "Daddy and Mommy get married here. Daddy gave Mommy a ring!" How does he know when you get married you get a ring?  Who knows!?!

We went back to Nana and Pop's house and the kids took a nice nap and were refreshed and ready for dinner with Granny. After dinner we went back to Nana and Pop's where Pop put on the BeeGees and Harper and Jack danced in the den. It was so cute to watch to them cut a rug that we all joined in. I remember listening to the BeeGees with my dad when I was kid and dancing around with him, so it warmed my heart to see him dancing with Harper and Jack and carrying on this tradition. 

By the end of the night, the kids were wiped out and ready to sleep on the way home...we thought. Harper was out when we pulled out of Nana and Pop's house, but Jack sang and talked the whole way home (he was singing "Benny and the Jets" over and over again). When we pulled into the alley, a little voice said "we're home!" :)

The zoo trip was a great success and the kids are already talking about wanting to go back. I think we'll wait until the fall when it's not 100 degrees outside. We did manage to get a picture of the 4 of us (a rarity); don't be surprised if this makes the Christmas card.

Happy Zoo Trip from the Colletts! :)