into the woods-ish

{This post is alternately titled, "Car Camping at Lake Arrowhead, With Fashion Glasses."

A two-day trip is the best we could eke out for summer vacation this year. The girls reluctantly left behind their summer television watching, packed their care bears and best toys in Dad's shoes and climbed into Lauren's car (borrowed for extra space). That was a highlight of the trip: riding up high. It may have had a slight positive impact on Ally's carsickness; she did not throw up this year on those final serpentine miles up the mountain. I nearly did, but then I didn't have a grape Benedryl meltaway to soothe me. Bim was driving and I told him he couldn't drive slow enough for my taste. He drove most of the way like a marathoner on his last mile, making use of almost every pull-over spot on the way up to let lines of cars pass us. BTW, Have you seen the cliff's edge? I can see it even now if I close my eyes. But we made it! And we LIKED it!

My Liv is a bit of a homebody yet, and she wasn't too keen on spending the second night in the tent. Once she pounded a few toasty marshmallows and got tucked into her cozy bed with flannel Hello Kitty pajamas, she gave up the fight and didn't move all night.

We spent a fantastic, relaxing day at Lake Gregory with our cooler, our swimsuits and a series of boat rentals. Success. I look forward to a future of longer camping trips, hiking, waterfalls and lake swimming--the things I loved most when I was growing up. No doubt my kids will come around to this idea when they're a little older...no doubt.

NO doubt.

?

Bigfoot sighting

Sit still sit still sit still sit still SIT STILL!

Paddling on Lake Gregory

Ally demonstrating what she learned this year in her two weeks of swim camp at the Belmont pool.

Not so ready for the water slide after all.

Cinemascope! Makes everything look *so* retro.

Typical posture

It's Mother Helper Day: 'Mom, you just relax and we do everything for you!'

Darling morning faces

This little Finnish first-grader (Sebastian) found my campfire at around 6am. Since we were the only ones awake in the campground, we shared some hot chocolate and waited for our families to wake up. The conversation turned around Legos and ninjas, and I reflected on how life would be different if we'd had two boys instead of two girls. My children spent a good part of the morning pretending to wash the picnic table and put their dolls to sleep.

Packing for the camping trip

This is the spot