Family Camp-In

Well this has been a loooong month in the Hsieh household. I cannot believe it is still February. Between the abundance of rain and the monthlong freeze I put on family spending, we've had to get extra creative just to get through the long days. Ava and I finally decided we would have a proper camp-out in our living room. I told Ben about it but by the look on his face I think he was still a little surprised to come home and find the Christmas lights stapled to the ceiling.

We started with a trip to the library and collected all of their camping books. Then we spent a few days preparing to transform our cozy space into a wooded wonderland. I will not divulge how many hours we actually spent on this one night adventure, but when you're not spending any money you might as well get crafty around the house. Surprisingly I found hot dogs and buns in the freezer and there were even chocolate bars, and graham crackers in the cupboard. We had to be a little flexible with the marshmallows as the choices were either strawberry flavored or gingerbread men shaped but I just called it gourmet and went with it. Here's a peek at our mis-adventure.

Do-A-Dot Marker Trees

Bob Dylan is our camping soundtrack staple

The set-up

The best book ever, camping or otherwise. We took turns to see who could read it in the scariest voice. Oh, how I wish I had videotaped Ian's rendition. His eyes wide, looking back and forth, "dar dar woo...a mouf!" When you actually read the book this will make more sense.

Ava made the poor choice of going with strawberry. It was so hard she got a hand cramp trying to toast it.

Our owl friend, looking a little sad after Miss Sabrina thought he was an intruder and tried to attack him.

Camping chairs for storytelling (thanks Anne!)

Playing peek-a-boo in the tent

My kids actually never noticed the lights on the ceiling until I said it was dark enough for the stars and turned them on. It would have been very dramatic if I didn't make the mistake of saying I had a surprise for them, which of course led to Ava saying, Oh, I like it Mommy but I thought you were going to give us presents."

Getting ready for bed. Poor Ian actually asked me to put him back in his crib, and Daddy eventually disappeared so only Ava and I "roughed" it.

Overall I would call it a huge success and (earmuffs Ben) I hope it becomes a yearly tradition.

Knock Knock

Me: Who's there?

Ava: Who.

Me: Who who?

Ava: Who who loves You? (whispering, "it's me Mama." followed by a violent eruption of giggles.)

And then she had to get a sponge and mop my heart off the floor. Too gross? You know, because it melted from the love. Anyway, I thought I would record this one since her other jokes are so bad. She has the best timing. It always sounds like it's going to be really good and then...

Mama?

Yes?

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Why?

Because he had the chicken pox! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Mama?

Yes?

What did the car say to the bus?

What?

I'm turning around and going to McDonald's! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Mama?

Yes?

A priest, a rabbi, and a pastor walk into a bar

Ok, just kidding on the last one. But it wouldn't surprise me. Unfortunately, it would end with, and then the turtle farted. Ha, ha, ha, ha!

Ah February...

I guess I was hoping if I didn't blog that it would just go a little faster...I was wrong. It's such a weird month isn't it? Last week I sort of fell off a cliff...emotionally speaking. There was some stuff but it still felt like it came out of nowhere, and I couldn't even shake it with a pan of s'more brownies. You know there's trouble when chocolate doesn't help. I've decided to blame it on February. I really don't know what to do with myself. This in-between ness is unsettling. I'm kind of sick of pot roast and the grill is still in the garage. I want to wear my cute new flats but my warm coat doesn't match. I want an adventure but I don't want to get off the couch. The holidays are gone but spring feels so far away.

So here's what i've decided, the best thing this month has going for it, besides valentine's day (which within our budget is going to mean a card and both of us remembering to shower) is that everyone is in the same boat. So anything goes. No one cares if you nap every day or watch american idol. No one expects you to mow your grass or update your blog. You have the green light to wear out your favorite sweatpants and order pizza hut two nights a week. So let's all raise a glass to the shortest month of the year and try to find the cozy in the midst of all this middle.

And I'll see you back here in march!