Crafting

I love it and I haven't had a ton of time to do it recently. It is how I relax and keep sane though. So, I am trying to make more time. One craft that gives me instant gratification is pottery painting. There is an awesome pottery painting place in Olympia called The Painted Plate. The atmosphere is awesome and they have some beautiful custom pieces to paint.

Nathan and I painted Jason a Father's Day gift this year and I am very pleased with the results. Having Nathan's footprints done was quite the adventure though, as you can imagine. It took us about one hour to get it done. I returned on my own to finish up the plate.

Camping with Children

Is fun, but tiring. Those camping days filled with beer and relaxation are over for now. No more afternoon siestas or reading entire books by the fire. Camping days now start at 7am or earlier and the majority of the day is spent keeping bugs and sun off the kids, figuring out the key to getting naps to happen in a hot, bright, and loud environment, and timing meals to avoid total hunger meltdowns. Camping is fun in a whole new way, but I came home in need of a good 12 hours of sleep.

Nathan loved it, of course. He played in the dirt and the grass. Had a blast hanging with his cousin Natalie. Thought it was cool sleeping with his mom and dad and overall did amazing. We kept him on schedule as best we could and he slept through the night both nights. 

We camped with the Maxey Family for two nights at Salt Water State Park near Hood Canal. A total family campground with a park and playground. Not exactly roughing it. I think it was a good choice for the first camping trip with an infant and toddler. Starting our camp trip on Thursday night was a good choice as well because once Friday night rolled around, it was one happening and LOUD place.

We spent all day Friday exploring the beach and playing at the play ground. At night the adults sat by the fire and we talked about our kids. Saturday we packed up in the rain and had brunch at a diner in town. The kids were getting cranky and ready for home. 

We have two more camping trips planned this summer and I am so glad. I want to make sure Nathan gets to camp a lot as a kiddo. Even though he won't remember it, we are building great memories as a family. After this trip I have refined my packing strategy. I am even making a master pack list and having it laminated for quick packing.

Anyway....What you have all come here for anyway....Please enjoy the photos!!!

Best new tent EVER! Nathan is on the "All Weather Porch"

 

Had to bring the favorite toys

Loving his momma

His face is classic. Notice the cousin love. Holding hands!

She'll be the best big sister

Nathan is loving the fire

Please don't call CPS. It is empty. 

Family portrait on the beach

Cutie. 

Smitten.

The Darrows LOVE to camp. 

Welcoming our son

Nathan was baptized on May 31st into the Catholic church. Now, if you know me, you know that this was not at my initiative. I do not self identify as a Christian nor was I raised in any faith. I am spiritual and have come into my own in my beliefs and do sometimes attend Unitarian Universalist (UU) services and plan to raise Nathan with UU principals. But, Catholic baptism is a tradition in Jason's family and Jason self identifies as a Catholic, so Nathan was welcomed into their community and Jason plans to teach Nathan about his faith.

I thought that I may feel "weird" at the ceremony, like I normally do at other religious ceremonies, but I found myself crying and feeling so full of pride and love that we were baptizing our little guy. No, I do not believe in the washing away of original sins but I do believe in making it known to the whole world that my boy is here on earth and the feeling of welcoming us as parents and his "spiritual guides". I even cried a little bit. Me!

Anyway, it was nice and I feel good about it. I plan to teach him how to find his truth and to fill his heart with love.

Here are some pictures if there are some of you who really don't believe I went through with it and liked it :)!