Colonization Day

Joy's school had Colonization Day, where each child got to leave their school uniform behind for a day and become a soldier, soldier's wife, convict or free settler.  Joy opted to be a soldier's wife.  I (flyer) have been learning to sew a bit, so when she came home asking if I would sew her a costume I was happy to give it a go.  She looks like something more from the Little House on the Prairie, but she was thrilled with it.

She found a broom a witch left behind at our annual Halloween party, and decided she needed to do her 'chores' before school.  I've never seen her so happy to sweep the back patio.  If this is all it takes, I see more bonnets and dresses in her future!

She was keen to take many pictures and many poses to share with her Grandmothers.

When it was finally time to go head to school, she got her friend/classmate from across the street to walk to school with her.  (With Boomer, of course!  He walks with her on non-wet days, dropping her at school on the way to the train.  They enjoy their morning 'alone' time.)  The friend/classmate/neighbor decided to dress up like the Governor's wife.  She was fancy!

I haven't seen Joy hop out of bed to get dressed so quickly since...  well...  the last time she didn't have to wear her uniform to school!

When she was walking to the car after school I was recording her, she looked so stinking cute!  I was so happy I had the recording going, because she hopped in the car and instantly started sharing what she had learned.  It was one of those great moments I was lucky enough to get recorded!  I learned quite a bit... I bet you will, too.

Enjoy!

First Camping Adventure

We went camping with some friends and had a great time!  We camped on the Colo River.

It wasn't Boomer's dream camping situation - there were bathrooms.  He prefers to hike out into the middle of no where and camp surrounded by nature and dig holes for his business.

It wasn't Flyer's dream camping situation, either.  There were only cold showers.  :)

Joy thought it was perfect!  (Joy usually does find everything wonderful.  Unless there are large amounts of vegetables involved.)

We went with some pro-campers. This is ours...

This is theirs...

It didn't take long for the kids to find the rope swing behind our camping spot.

Joy knows her daddy well.  She took Boomer over for a go.  This is one of many pictures, he had a blast!

                                                   

We had great fires each night...

So, clearly we had to teach these Aussies all about the joys of S'Mores!  You can tell from the look of these 'Joeys' how enjoyed they were!

We might not have had hot showers, but we did have a few modern luxuries, like an outdoor cinema for the kids...

An indoor cinema for the kids...

Polly Pockets - enjoyed by all genders... four hours on end!

When it wasn't raining (man, did it rain that weekend!) we did enjoy the beautifully clear water in the Colo River!

What water/sand combo can be enjoyed without burying someone?!  (And then, obviously, running over them.)

I love this next one!  The big Joys were so good with the baby one!

The laughter was music to my ears!

Friendships were strengthened and fortified in those cold, cold waters!

It didn't take them long to find a rope swing into the river, either!  They actually found two, but I would have had to go into the COLD water in order to get those pictures.  So, you'll just have to take my word for it.  Here is the location lazy warm people could photograph...

Boomer, the biggest kid of them all, couldn't contain himself!

People love us on vacation - I cook and Boomer plays with the kids and does things like jump into frozen water to protect our little ones!  I love my Boomer!  I did my part, I held his cold hand as we walked back to our campsite.  A girl has to do what a girl has to do!

We had a great trip.  Here is our grungy group photo after three days of rain, campfires, cold swimming and no warm showers!

We had a great trip, can't wait for the next one!  We've found some great friends here, already.  

One of the hardest things about moving is leaving behind great, lifelong - if not eternal, friends.  

One of the best things?  Finding more!