Who Let the Girls Out?

 I've always wanted to go away on a "girls" weekend.  My friend Dawn invited me and a few other gals to join her at her mom's cabin near Lake Millacs.  Other than my trip to Italy with my mom three years ago, I haven't had a weekend away since I had children.  I think I was long overdue.

We arrived late Friday night and stayed up until the wee hours of Saturday morning.  When we all pulled ourselves out of bed in the morning, we took long, hot showers that we normally deprive ourselves of.  Then we headed down to the lake.  Dawn's mom and step-dad have two kayaks and a paddle boat.  You all know how much I love to paddle.  I don't love being in the water, but I do love being near it and even on it, especially a peaceful lake like this.

Lisa (on right) surprised me with her strength this weekend.  While we were on the lake, the wind picked up and a front moved in.  The subsequent waves got pretty tough and began to push us away from shore.  Dawn and I paddled hard to get back to the pier.  We looked behind us, knowing how hard it is to move a paddle boat in normal waters.  But Lisa and Melanie, pedaled until it burned.

Melanie tried a kayak out for the first time.  She even paddled through the tough lily pads.

Next we took a walk and a drive around the property before we headed to lunch at Fisherman's Wharf Resort.  If you ever go, order the cheese curds and a drink.  All else is at your own risk.  

 

After observing some regular tourist folks and a many interesting meat raffles, we drove over to Lake Millacs to collect smooth stones.  While Lisa, Dawn & I collected rocks, Melanie perfected her rock skipping skills.  Since she didn't get to spend as much time feeling rocks, I picked this one for her.  After the weekend, we all decided to sign Mel's rock and tattoo the reverse side with our mantra for the weekend, which is top secret and can only be revealed upon request.

Melanie wanted to get some exercise when we got back, so we took a deeper walk in the woods.  The sun sneaks away earlier and earlier these days.  Despite the low light, we were able to set up my camera and catch one great photo of us submerged in nature.

Having a full, restful weekend away was really good for me.  I truly hope we make a tradition of this.  When the weekend was over, I felt grounded, rested, and happy.  It was just enough.  I didn't feel the need to stay longer and I hadn't longed for my family while I was gone.

It rained overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning.  When it let up, we dragged in the water crafts, drained out the excess water and carried them back to the shed.  Normally this might be something our husbands would do while we packed everyone's bags, made sure the kids were fed, did the dishes and swept the floors.  And we did do some of those things too, but it felt good to not have to tend to anyone but ourselves.  We don't want to turn into this old one-eyed woman who guards the cabin, scolding those who might not take their shoes off at the door or who didn't wash their hands before dinner.  Although, I find her kind of cute in some odd way.  Maybe I do want to be that old lady ... but if I am, I really hope I can have both of my eyes.

On the way back to the big city we stopped and ate at Muggs Bar.  Guess what?  They had a meat raffle.  No kidding!  OK  This may not be a rare bird to many of you, but we found it a bit weird.  Especially since at least three of us are or have been vegetarians.  There weren't a whole lot of patrons at Muggs today, so the waitress (who I might add forgot to put the meat on my taco salad - bet she was saving it for the raffle! LOL) gave us each a raffle ticket for the drawing.  Some team must have been playing ball or something.  I think it might have been the Vikings, but who's really paying attention?  Anyway, Mel & Lisa both won!  What a lucky way to end our weekend.

Thanks Dawn and Dawn's Mom (a.k.a Debbie)!

Evan's First Day of Preschool - Again

 

Despite his giddy look in the photo, Evan was not excited to go back to school.  He admitted he did want to see his friend Lizzy, but he thought they should just have a playdate instead.  According to him, he hates school.

It reminds me a lot of Owen's second year of preschool.  He did not want to go to school either, but Evan (then almost 3 yrs. old) was gladly willing to take his place.  Mia wore a hand-me-down backpack to make her feel a part of the day.  The weather was gorgeous.  A perfect afternoon to spend at Dodge Nature Preschool.

Before we left, we found a Wooly Bear on our driveway.  Quite appropriate since Dodge also has a nature program thusly named for 3 to 5 year olds.  Mia found this fella a safer home in the lawn.

The traditional first day shot with the "London Bridge" sculpture.

Inside Evan quickly found Lizzy and they began their usual play: Deer.  Also known as Eagle or Bears.  He was ready to go.  No tears.  Barely even a goodbye.

Mia said goodbye to "Jackie" whom I actually think might be the boy, but don't tell her.

She touched every flower and plant in the parking lot prairie.  And then we drove around until she fell asleep.

When we came back, we watched Evan and his class through a window.  They were sitting around the fire pit, reflecting on their day.  At the end of each day, each student tells one thing they did that day.  The teachers write each item on a class list, just as the child has said it.  The list is then put outside the classroom door for teachers to read and also emailed to the parents after class.  I always appreciate the list.  Gives us a lot to talk about during the drive home in heavy traffic.

When they came in, Evan gave each teacher his traditional goodbye hug and we ran off to pick up Owen.  I was dreading the end of summer, but I must admit.  It is very nice to get back into a regular routine.

First Day, First Grade

 Owen was calm and cool about going back to school this fall.

 His first grade teacher is Mrs. Tayson.  Several of his friends from last year are also in the class.

 We brought all of his supplies in during the open house, so he was ready to go.

During their first day, they picked lockers.  Owen was one of the kids on the top row because of his height.  There are several first graders in his class that still would not be able to reach these lockers.  With his over-sized shoes (that I tried to talk him out of) and his too-short hair-cut (that I tried to talk Jim out of) he looked far too old to be my child.  Still, I was ready for him to go today, unlike last year.  And he was ready too.

Breathing in the Lake

Before we leave the woods, I always find it necessary to get in one last kayak.  This time, it was my boys that needed to get in one last time.  For me, I just needed to take a few more pictures of the woods.  Hopefully when I look at them, I will somehow be able to smell the air.

The old water pump.  I don't think it's actually ever worked in our time at the cabin, but it is a mark of simplicity.  Way down the path, on the dock, Mia and Jim are investigating the waters one last time before we hop in the car for our 5 hour drive home.

I crept in a little closer of this precious Daddy and daughter moment.

As I peeked through the trees to get a shot, Mia spied me.  

"Mama!"

Neil & Evan took the kayaks out.  Mia and Jim were waiting for their return.

When the sun sets, the lake becomes so peaceful.  The sound of frogs echos across the water.

 

Finally, in the distance, we saw them coming slowly along the reeds.

They had been gone awhile, and Evan had two announcements to make as they paddled up to the pier.  He chose his words carefully.  "The good news is, we saw a Daddy deer come getting a drink." (slight pause)  Then, "The bad news is, I pooped my pants."

I don't know if I laughed harder at the shock of his bad news or the choice in his presentation of the facts.  And I don't know who I felt worse for: Evan, who had couldn't hold it and had to sit in it, or Neil who had Evan in his lap and had to endure the smell the whole way back.  It certainly brought us out of the quiet Lala Land we had just been enjoying and back to parenting reality.

 

As Neil and Evan were pulling up, Owen decided to put in and take a spin by himself.

Ah, Mother Earth.  You are so good to us.

Tubing at Franklin Lake

 We are back at the magical Franklin Lake today for some tubing behind Ben and Claire's boat.  Well.  Maya and I are not going to tube, but the other crazies are going to.  Not that Maya and I aren't crazy, because we are.  Especially Maya.  And just to be clear, Maya is not Mia.  Maya is Claire's daughter.  Mia is my daughter.  If you try saying it with an eastern Italian accent, it's really confusing.  My-a daughter is not-a Maya.  My-a daughter is-a Mia.  And if you really want to go there, Mia means "mine" in some latin languages.  ... How did I get off on that topic?

 So, anyway, we talked Evan and Lilly into going tubing.  I think yesterday's bonding session, combined with a little peer pressure,made the decision easy.  Neither one was too thrilled at the thought of it, but they'll do just about anything right now, as long as it's together.

Anna, Charlie & I rode in the cheering section.  It wasn't cold, but it wasn't exactly hot.  Of course Anna was outfitted in her Lulu hoodie.  Meanwhile Charlie was taking it like a man with no shirt, but looking tough in his Mickey Mouse life jacket.

Lilly and Evan did well.  We made a big loop before Jim finally stood up and jumped off.  They weren't scared, but they were ready to get in the boat.

Owen is not ready to go solo on the tube yet, but he did like the bumps.  His smiles weren't nearly as big as last year's.  Maybe he's just trying to be cool.

 

Afterwards, Jim was pretty chilled.  It's a good thing he's willing to get in the water with the kids and do these things, because it is just not for me.  I like to be warm, dry, and have at least one foot on solid ground. 

 So then it started to rain.  So much for warm and dry.  The kids little kids didn't seem to notice.  Maya declared a mud war on Charlie.

Charlie wasn't sure how to make mud, 

 

The humiliation sent him into a drinking spree.  Just teasing.

 

Maya decided to join the big kids who were partying under the shelter of the boat.  Doesn't she look like the wild girl on campus, here?  Watch out Claire & Ben.  I was going to crop this in, but I just love how her mouth perfectly mimics Owen's swim shirt in the background.

 

Finally the rain let up and Owen decided he was going to try skiing.  But before he did, Ben & Jim wanted a turn.  So, while they spun around the lake, I took the other kids on a hike.

 

We found this frog.  I have no idea how we saw him.  He was perfectly camouflaged.

 We turned around at this tree.  All the kids seemed really chilled out by this tree.

There's just something about nature.  It chills kids out.

 Then Mia got attacked.  No.  Not by a bear.  By Charlie.  I'm exaggerating.  Charlie and Mia love each other and sometimes Charlie is rough with his love.  This time, he drew a little blood.  He loves to pull her cheeks.  And who wouldn't?  Look at those beautiful chubber cheekers!

 

Anna was not as convinced.  "Charlie no pull cheek.  Charlie hug."  No worries.  She's fine and she still loves Charlie.  

 Just then, it was Owen's turn to ski.  

What?  Oh.  He's not skiing?  Yeah, I know.  He chickened out.  Maybe next year.

 

One last photo for the night.  Ben took the men and Owen out fishing at dusk.  Claire took Anna, Charlie, and Maya back to the cabin.  Anna & Charlie weren't feeling very well and were thinking of heading home early.  Connie took Mia home, so I had a campfire (in the rain) with Lilly & Evan.  Looks pretty good, huh?  Well, I didn't start it.  BUT, I maintained it and in the rain, no less.

What a bunch of Lucky Lettes we are.