Raising Cubs in a Campground

A couple weeks ago Grandpa brought Sam a turtle . Sam named him Yertle and spent a day and a half watching him(when Mommy was there) and holding him. (when Daddy was there) Soon it was time to return Yertle to the lake. Yertle was very excited to find a new home. Normally when you pick up a turtle they tuck back into their shells. He was going to have none of that. His little legs were swimming in the air - he was that excited to be released. "Goodbye Yertle", said Sam. Goodbye Yertle! Me: Where is Yertle going Sammy? Sam: He's looking for a new home. (Yesterday when we were approaching the beach Sam asked about Yertle and wondered if he'd found a new home. That kid doesn't forget a thing!)

Want to talk to other Mommies too? Join us! This week's question: Baby Names on your list... What name did you chose, and why? Sam: Let me start off by saying that I had my list of names and my husband had his . With the last name of Pauly I vetoed any names that ended with an "e" sound. My other criteria were no names that could be shortened and there could only be one way to spell it. There are soooo many ways to spell Carrie and I hate having to spell my name for everyone. My short list of boys names included Jack, Andrew, and Samuel (my rules, so I can break them right?). I considered Henry (my maiden name is Henrickson ) but there was the whole "e" sound at the end so Henry got pushed to a possible middle name. Brian liked the name Alex. At the top of my list of girl names was Anna. I would have loved to have an Anna Elizabeth (Elizabeth is my middle name and there is an Anna Elizabeth on both sides of our families). Perfect, I thought. Brian ...

It's not even June and it's already hot and muggy. I HATE hot weather, but I LOVE living within walking distance of a beach. I had planned to take the kids outside after Grant woke up from his nap. Honestly though, I wasn't looking forward to it. I was content to be lazy. Sam was watching a cartoon that I hardly ever let him watch, and Julia was rolling all over the living room floor. We were clean, cool, and content. But.....it's good for the kids to get fresh air and it sure makes the day go faster to be out and about. Even with a few raindrops from a passing cloud we had a great time. Brian knew we were going to be down at the beach so he did some mowing there after a brief visit with us. Sam even got to sit on Daddy's big "lawn moen". We dined on Two-eee (kiwi) and Tings (a health food store snack that looks like cheetos, but not cheesy tasting). It turned out to be worth the trouble to slather on the sunscreen, pick ants off the blankets, an...

When I took these pictures on Thursday it was the last time she wore this 12 month outfit. As you can see it's way too small for her. That's what happens when you're in the 110th percentile for weight at your six month checkup. She started wearing 6 month clothes at 2 months, 9 month clothes at 4 months, 12 month clothes around 5 months, 18 month clothes at 6 months, and some 2T stuff at 7 months. Whoever said they don't stay little for long, was talking about my daughter.

busy, busy, busy is what we stay. playgroup at the park lunch with Grandma (Isn't that a cute backpack from Grandma?) dinner at Great-grandma's house the kids day wrapped up with some shoe shopping at REI and then after the kids were in bed my sister Katie and her fiance, Brandon came over. That was just Friday . On Saturday we went for a long walk (watched the car wash at Super America for a bit), went swimming at a new community center, played in the ball pit, treated ourselves to McDonald's, and ended the day with a good soak in the tub. I fell asleep feeding Julia at 7pm. That little half hour cat nap helped me get through folding and putting away three baskets of clothes and washing the kitchen floor. Sunday morning we tried out a new church where I'm considering their preschool. Sam had no problem separating from me despite the new surroundings. We stopped at Target for some "Welcome Home Daddy" food and then came home to crash. I just got off the...

Jennisa was kind enough to make me a new blog design a while back and I'm just now getting around to publicly thanking her. I wanted something pretty specific and she went to work right away. It didn't take long before I was sporting a unique look that I love. Not only do I get to enjoy my new design, but when I'm cruising through her list of blogs she cruises, I get to marvel at her talent displayed on lots of other blogs she's designed for. Thank you Jennisa!

From where I'm sitting at the computer right now I can look out two different windows. Out the window on the left, some of the neighbor's kids are sledding down the hill between our homes. Out the window on the right, another child from that same house is picking dandelions from my yard. At least they are all having fun - even if sledding is slightly out of season for the end of MAY.

Sam woke up Thursday morning feeling much better. His appetite returned and so did his smiles.

After giving me a smooch on the cheek, I guess I went to far when I asked Sam if I could have a hug too. "Not right now," was the reply I got instead of a snuggle. Thankfully, ten minutes later he was asking to snuggle and read stories. photo credit: jennifer mckinney photography

When I stepped out onto the deck tonight and looked up and saw the clear skies and all the stars, I couldn't help but think of the words to this song from the movie "An American Tail". Somewhere Out There written by James Horner, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there And even though I know how very far apart we are It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky Somewhere out there if love can see us through Then we'll be together somewhere out there Out where dreams come true And even though I know how very far apart we are It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star And when the night wind starts to sing a ...

On one of the blogs I cruise, Adventures In Babywearing , I took the opportunity to sign up for a contest to win $120 worth of stuff from Mason & Matisse . I think it's fun to find new places to shop for things for the kids. 99% of the things I buy are for them anyway - or at least make my life easier so I can enjoy them more.

photo by Jennifer McKinney Photography I'm on my own until Sunday after sending Brian off with his Dad, sister, Sharon, and two friends at 2:30 this morning. I often take the kids grocery shopping, to the park, to the doctor, out to eat, to the library, and to playgroups by myself so that part I'm not worried about. It's the emotional support that I'll miss the most - that and bedtime help. Our routine lately has Brian watching the kids while they are in the tub and then I take Julia and get her to bed before I join the boys in Sam's room for the final story, prayers, and our ritual singing of Jesus Loves Me and Silent Night. If Julia can hold out during Sam's story time we'll be fine. If not.....

Thirteen reasons why I'll miss Brian while he's in the Boundary Waters: 1. He's my best friend 2. He helps me a lot with the kids 3. He makes me laugh 4. He makes me feel safe and protected 5. He helps give the kids a bath at the end of the day 6. The kids adore him and I love watching them interact 7. He's an exceptional diaper changer (a big feat considering we use cloth) 8. He's home from the gym by 4 and that helps break up my work day 9. He's a brave spider killer 10. He keeps the van filled with gas 11.I'll have to settle for snuggling with the puppy in bed at night 12. Not only will I not see him for four days, I won't get to talk to him either 13. I'll have to get myself and the kids ready for church on Sunday without any help

Both my kids are taking care of themselves for the moment. The day will come when they don't need my help with anything so I'm not wishing that day to arrive too quickly. It is nice to not be needed every moment of every day . Sam is listening to a book on CD while he follows along in the new book I got for our trip to Denver. It's called "Usborne Farmyard Tales" and he loves it. It couldn't be more perfect. It is filled with endearing illistrations of Sam and Poppy who live on a farm. They have adventures with many things Sam is interested in - animals, tractors, and steam engines to name a few. Julia is happily feeding herself in the high chair. She's munching on Oatios and hunks of banana and zucchini. My life is calm for the moment..... Sam's fever went down almost 2 degrees last night so we didn't need to take him in. This morning when I took his temp again I couldn't even get it up to a normal temp. Hopefully we won't h...