Our Last Week At Home For The Summer

The kids and I make a big trip up to New York state every summer to stay at our family's cabin at a campground on a lake. We leave next week for our two and a half day journey so this week, my time has been spent packing, planning what we need to bring, purchasing things for the trip, laundry, getting haircuts, etc. We'll stay for a good part of the summer, so between that and the long car trip, there's a lot to plan and think about. This year, with an almost one year old, there's a lot more to plan and think about. I have no idea how we're going to fit everything in the van when her stroller already takes up half the trunk!  Part of me is not looking forward to the trip with a baby (and a hamster! I know, I'm nuts) or caring for a little one in more primitive living conditions, and by that I mostly mean cramped quarters and no bathtub. We're excited though, and I can't imagine spending my summer anywhere else.

Xury had some fun with water while I got a few things done

Dominick, Xury and I managed to squeeze in one last trip to the zoo with some friends.

Aravis has been spending every waking second with her friends before she leaves which included a trip to the children's museum.

 where they played some olympic sports

 hung out in the kennel

 rode a police motorcycle

 

 and worked and shopped at the grocery store.

This was the first time Xury was old enough to get down and play too and she loved it!

 Tanner and Dominick have been working on a bigger cage for her poor cramped bunny.

 Eventually, they want to add legs and a lower level but for now they bunny is very happy with her new home.  I still have a lot to do to be ready and don't feel like I have nearly as much done as I should have, but the kids have been a great help. They cleaned out the van this morning and cleaned up the yard and Tanner has been helping with Xury and helping out around the house. I am really blessed to have such amazing kids!
I'll try to continue blogging while we're up there but I might just be too busy reading and enjoying a quiet cottage to keep up.