City Camping

So this last weekend we went city camping as we call it. It is basically an RV park with full hookups. We have had this place bugging us to come and check them out. According to their little scratch off ticket, we had won $1000 in free camping, $200 in Gas, and a free laptop for listening to their 90 min presentation. We finally decided to take them up on it. The place was right on the Colorado river and had lots of fun things for the kids to do. They had miniature golf, pool, swimming pools, a kids craft room, and of course the beach. It was packed!!! The kids had fun. We (Chris and I) had an adventure.

I forgot to bring an actual map and the camera. I had the directions and small map that they had sent us. We were going on the road and there literally was nothing around. I didn't think it was so far on the one road but it was. We thought we had somehow missed the turnoff. Luckily cell phones worked and I called my sister to map quest it. (No we don't have a fancy phone or GPS system). we were on the right road just not far enough to the turn off. Needless to say we did make it, later than we had planned but still there. After setting up we had forgotten to run water though the pipes before we left. We started running the water through all the faucets. Somehow the drain plug for the bathroom sink was still in place. It overflowed and there was water everywhere!!! I hurried and cleaned that up with most of our towels that I had brought. I saved 2 to be able to shower with. Of course it was stinky water and they had to go outside but it was cleaned up. We settled into bed and lights out around 11pm.

The next morning we woke up to the entire floor of the trailer having about 1/2 inch of water on it!!!! Somehow the toilet had started running and filled up and overflowed. Our neighbor had noticed our trailer dripping everywhere and turned the water off about an hr before we had woken up. Thank goodness!!! It was an absolute mess. Erika had kicked her sleeping bag off and it was drenched on the floor. Their little stuffed animals had fallen an were soaked. We cleaned up and rang the towels form the night before out the best we could. We used Erika's sleeping bag to help. That was NOT what I had wanted to wake up to. At least it was clean water. It hadn't gotten into the sewer line so we didn't have that yucky water to deal with. I then made breakfast and burned the bacon still trying to clean up as I went. I was really hoping the day would get better.

The kids wanted to go swim in the pools, so I took them and we went for about 1 1/2 hrs. They had fun. I was ready to get them back to the trailer and get showered!!! The pools were so dirty. Each of them had a film of dirt around the edge that kids had scratched their initials in and the water had a green tinge to it. It was gross. I convinced the kids to try the other things and we played in the playground, the miniature golf, and the kids craft room the rest of the day. It was super hot there and the beach was very crowded. We were looking forward to taking a nice rest in the trailer, at least mom and dad were. The kids just watched a movie and were somewhat quiet. It didn't turn out to be such a bad day after all.

We had to go to the little seminar the next morning. We listened to their little presentation and thought it wasn't a half bad deal, until they told us the price!!! They wanted you to buy into for a lifetime membership for $20,000. Yes I have the zeros right. Th least amount for 6 years was still $6000, plus their $500 yearly maintenance fee. We politely told them no. We couldn't believe it. It was nice to stay but not for that amount of money!!! We did receive the $1000 in free camping but there are so many stipulations on using it that it really won't happen. The $200 gas certificate, you have to have receipts of $50 (no more/less) once a month for the next 4 months and send them in, then they will issue a credit. the laptop is a little net book PC. It is a piece of crap but Wyatt thinks it is pretty cool. We let him and Erika have it.It wasn't such a bad mini vacation. At least the kids had fun.

Karate

In April we started Wyatt in karate at the recreation center here. He has done really well. He has earned one new belt (the gold) and is working on earning his orange belt. It seems to help him focus (most of the time). It is something he enjoys and we are glad for that.

No front teeth!!!

Wyatt has lost 3 teeth within the space of three weeks. He lost his upper left front tooth the first part of September. He had a little help with that. Both were really loose and he wouldn't let us pull them. Chris convinced him to let him pull the loosest one. It was a little drama but when he finally got it out he was really happy. The next tooth was his bottom left 2nd from the front. We were eating corn on the cob and he kept telling me that it was hurting his bottom permanent teeth. I told him that it shouldn't and to let me see. When he opened his mouth the tooth was just hanging there. He was really lucky that he didn't swallow it. The next night we checked the other front tooth that was loose and it was just barely hanging in. Again Chris convinced Wyatt to let him pull it. It was drama but he did it. Now he is really toothless. At least he will get to sing the song, 'All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

Dentist appointments

Both kids had their dental checkup. Neither one had any cavities. Wyatt was great as usual. This was Erika's first appointment. She did OK at first then was absolutely horrible!!! We were literally trying to hold her down and get her to try and open her mouth for cleaning. the dentist even had a hard time trying to check her teeth. We had screaming and tears. Hopefully it will be better next time.

Dancing Girl!!!

Erika has also started dance class this year. She is taking lessons from a member of our church. She is a great teacher and Erika loves her. Erika loves to dance also. She is always wanting to wear her dance shoes and outfits. I can't wait to see her perform. I think it is great that she loves dancing and hope that she will continue for a long time with it.

Target Practice

On Labor day we went out shooting. Wyatt loves to shoot his daddy's guns. He also has an air soft that we let him shoot with. He can't do any of it on his own, but boy is he a great shot!!! We are continually impressed with how well he can aim, shoot, and hit the target at such a young age. He beats me by far with it. Erika hasn't really shown any interest in it yet. i am sure she will but for now I am happy to not have to worry about two of them with guns. We had a fun time shooting and Wyatt set up his toys for his targets with his air soft gun.

First day of 1st Grade

Wyatt started first grade on August 29th. He wasn't to excited. In fact for the first week he kept saying it was really boring. They didn't have "centers" and it was just lots of rules. I tried to explain to him that the first week is just about getting back to school. "Centers" are little activity areas that they get to "play" in when they are finished with their regular work. He was much happier when he realized that they would start centers. School still isn't his favorite thing but at least he tolerates it. I know it is probably hard for him to get excited about it since he has been going since he was 3 yrs old. He is getting so big I just can't believe it. He is in the class with a friend from church and the neighborhood.