Camping at Indian Henry

A camping we will go!

Since it was Memorial Day, we thought that it would be a good weekend to sneak away and go camping. We found a campground last year that we loved, so I made the reservation for the same spot this year. For days I shopped for food, loaded the food, packed bags for the kids, assembled the bedding, the tent, the tarps, the cookstove, the chairs, the flashlights. Then came the time to load the van. It was tight...very tight but we all fit and so did the "camping neccessities". The drive to our campsight is just under an hour, so that isn't too bad. The spot that we like to go is called Indian Henry Campground and it sits right on the Clackamas River. We arrived on Saturday afternoon at which time it was sunny and nice. The kids were excited and I didn't even mind unloading the two tons of "equipment" that we brought along. Dinner was hot dogs cooked over the fire, which tasted pretty darn good even with some ashes on them. Then it started...one little drop turned into two and then a million! The kids and I dashed for cover and left Jeff out in the elements to try and divert the small river that was making it's way through our campsight. Poor Jeff...he was soaked from head to toe! That night we all went to bed early...not too much to do when it's raining like that.

The next morning the clouds had dried up enough for us to go hiking. It was a beautiful hike and Stratton lasted for about two miles! Not bad when you're only three. We also made our way down to the river and practiced our rock skipping. The Clackamas River is not a little river, it is quite large and it was raging! The snow on Mt. Hood has started to melt and the result of that was a swift Clackamas River. Sunday night the rain stayed away and we were able to make S'mores. Yumm-y! We love s'mores. We went to bed that night dry and with full stomaches. Not too shabby.

Monday...the rain made it's reappearance. We didn't wait around for it to get stronger...we vividly remembered Saturday night and didn't need a repeat showing. So, it was time to pack up and load the van...again. Picture this...the kids sitting in the van watching a movie with all the doors open while Jeff and I loaded. When it was time to force the doors to close and leave, the van was dead. Yep...dead. Luckily, there was a group camping next to us and they were prepared with a jumper thing-a-ma-bob that did the trick. A big 'Thanks' to the rough looking guys in the next campsight! It was so nice to get home just to be able to unload what we had just loaded an hour earlier. But the fun wasn't over because we had to set the tent up in the garage so that it could dry out. There is still a bunch of things to be put back in the proper place, but I just can't make myself do it. I've washed six bedrolls--doesn't that count for something?

So, if you ever decide to come camping in Oregon be prepared for rain and lots of it. It is sure pretty around here, but enough with the rain already. It's almost June for heavens sake. Turn it off!! At least we made some memories for the kids--that makes it all worth the effort...I hope!

Say Aaaahhhhhh!

The dentist. You never know how it will go, but Stratton's appointment went off without a hitch. He thought that it was neat to be able to wear "safety goggles" while the hygenist cleaned his teeth. He was Mr. Cool when the dentist came to do the final inspection and thought that getting a new toothbrush and a prize was "awesome"!

Ode to Joy...Recorder style

In 4th grade, here at Happy Valley Elementary, you learn how to play the Recorder in music class. It's not the fanciest instrument but it might be one of the screachiest, if you know what I mean. (You could not pay me enough to teach 9 and 10 year olds how to play the recorder). However, someone does teach the kids to play and then at the end of the year there is the big Recorder Concert. I personally didn't have high expectations for this concert, but went to support Cascia who actually learned her songs in record time. I must admit that the concert (all 15 minutes of it) was much better then I thought that it would be. Thank you to Mrs. Shepherd who takes the time each year to teach the dreaded Recorder to the 4th graders! (She must invest in earplugs!)

Stratton ROCKS his preschool concert

Today Stratton had a Mother's Day concert at preschool. Usually he is pretty reserved when he has to "perform" but today he didn't hold back one bit. I was shocked as I watched. The video is a bit jumpy because I was laughing so hard while I was trying to tape. It was so hilarious and all the other moms had to come tell Stratton what a great job he did! This boy has got some moves!(Can anyone tell me how to flip this video? Until I figure it out--just tilt your head a little!)