Sunday, July 27, 2008

Swimming and Swords

This week we finished up swimming lessons for Katie and Chase. How is it that summer is so busy and fast for moms, but kids still manage to be "bored." I haven't heard it a lot, but a few times. Kenna's version is "Mom, I'm boring." I think it's good for them to be bored. Then they have to get creative, especially since I'm an extremely mean Mom (ask Connor and Chase) and I (sighs of horror) severely limit their screen time (t.v. and video game.) Poor picked on kids had to go camping at Lava Hot Springs this week. This is actually one of our favorite family get aways. We spend one day at the pool. I love this pool because the water is not to hot or cold, but just right. The indoor pool had diving boards and a rock climbing wall which if you fell was into the water of course. Then a great shallow area, outside slides, and of course the platforms to jump off of. We went with Mike's sister and her family, which was great. Chase spent almost all his time jumping off the platforms, brave child. Connor and Mike did also, just not as much. They all went off the second and first platform. I say they are crazy. We spend the second day tubing on the Portnef river. It runs right through town. It's fairly tame and really fun. Kenna totally hated it though. She started crying the minute Mike pushed us off from shore and continued the whole ride down. She spent the rest of the day in the car with our designated driver. We took turns driving tubers up and back. Chase also told me the first time he was so nervous, he thought he would throw-up, but after that he loved it.Today, on our day of rest, the kids created these fabulous weapons out of pvc pipe, an old foam sleeping pad, and duct tape. Connor has a sword, Chase a hammer or battle ax, Kate a magical staff and Kenna a magic wand. I tried to keep this kind of thing to a minimum, violence and all, but my boys love this kind of pretend play. As long as they don't hurt each other. Hey, at least they are being creative. Me, I'm glad to rest after the packing and unpacking of another camping trip. I like camping, but it is not a vacation for mom. I did love floating the river.

3 comments:

Kelsey said...

That sounds like a lot of fun! I miss Lava Hot Springs. I didn't know they had a rock climbing wall now- how fun!

And I love the creativity. I'm glad to hear you limit their screen time. Eventually they will thank you for it. I know I was so upset when my parents downgraded from good cable to basic cable, but after a few years, I realized how much time I had wasted watching TV and how much better off I was (am) without it.

jo said...

Agreed...camping is nowhere near a vacation for Mom. Looks like you guys had a lot of fun on your latest "vacation", though. Keep being a mean mom...it creates good children :D

Lost Woman said...

Ok, you have posted two of my greatest water fears... jumping off of something high and floating on fast water.
I'm with Kenna and would scream the whole way.
As for the mean mom. I've seen you in action. you GO!!