the very magic, magic wand 
roving library 
good morning, Nana Anna
tiny trunks, cold creek water
love at first sight
bubbles!Memorial Day we conquered Cal’s first camping adventure along with family on my aunt’s property. The place is shaded from the sun by majestic oaks and bordered by a creek that’s refreshing to wade in. All the while, civilization is just up the hill but still out of view and mind – allowing us to be enough removed to relax into nature but have the niceties of home in reach (shower, blankets, forgotten items, refrigerator of food). Therefore, it was the perfect camping scenario for us and baby.
Over our three-day, two-night stay, Calboy collected some new experiences including wading up to his small nubby knees in creek water, sleeping in our giant palace tent, waking up to rooster crows and legions of chirping birds, falling asleep to buzzing bugs and frog calls, meeting his first teal-feathered peacock, being a human canvass for natural bug spray (some said he smelled yummy from the lemon grass oil), and getting his second lifetime lick of avocado; of course, he seemed to like it. We gave him a wee bit mashed up on a spoon after his eyes pled involvement in the grownup meal that included nacho cheese (a recurring theme) breakfast burritos.
Cal drank in the baby gazing and doting which was in high supply. He had several laughing fits, and almost no crying ones. He got read to (his new faves are the Boynton books) and danced with. Saturday alone, three separate people rocked him to sleep at different intervals. But upon discovering that the sway of the hammock put Calvin to sleep like the snap of two fingers (the holy grail for baby devices), we used its restful powers for his remaining naps and even took it home on loan until we get our own. The magic hammock provoked ideas of manufacturing a pint-sized version of our own. We had fun brainstorming subsequent marketing schemes.
Cal chirped/screeched so loud Sunday evening it felt like he was calling after someone across the canyon. Then he’d admire his vocal prowess with smiles and more squealing. Saturday evening Cal was mesmerized by a sparkly “wand” with light up qualities and Saturday morning a bubble machine that produced thousands of rainbow orbs, enveloping him in their rise to the sky (yes we even had electricity at our camp site).
Over our three-day, two-night stay, Calboy collected some new experiences including wading up to his small nubby knees in creek water, sleeping in our giant palace tent, waking up to rooster crows and legions of chirping birds, falling asleep to buzzing bugs and frog calls, meeting his first teal-feathered peacock, being a human canvass for natural bug spray (some said he smelled yummy from the lemon grass oil), and getting his second lifetime lick of avocado; of course, he seemed to like it. We gave him a wee bit mashed up on a spoon after his eyes pled involvement in the grownup meal that included nacho cheese (a recurring theme) breakfast burritos.
Cal drank in the baby gazing and doting which was in high supply. He had several laughing fits, and almost no crying ones. He got read to (his new faves are the Boynton books) and danced with. Saturday alone, three separate people rocked him to sleep at different intervals. But upon discovering that the sway of the hammock put Calvin to sleep like the snap of two fingers (the holy grail for baby devices), we used its restful powers for his remaining naps and even took it home on loan until we get our own. The magic hammock provoked ideas of manufacturing a pint-sized version of our own. We had fun brainstorming subsequent marketing schemes.
Cal chirped/screeched so loud Sunday evening it felt like he was calling after someone across the canyon. Then he’d admire his vocal prowess with smiles and more squealing. Saturday evening Cal was mesmerized by a sparkly “wand” with light up qualities and Saturday morning a bubble machine that produced thousands of rainbow orbs, enveloping him in their rise to the sky (yes we even had electricity at our camp site).
We used citronella candles in place of a fire. That, along with the natural oil helped Cal dodge skeeter bites. His cuter-than-a-button Hawaiian flower camping hat did its job protecting that perfect round face from harmful sunbeams.
So we forgot some stuff like mittens for cold hands at night that refuse to stay undercover, a warm hat, a much more extensive diaper stash, more blankets than we think we'll ever need, and the front carrier. But that’s what is so wonderful and relaxing about “test” camping trips – you can always run up the hill to the house you forgot was there, or make a quick trip in town to the store.
So we forgot some stuff like mittens for cold hands at night that refuse to stay undercover, a warm hat, a much more extensive diaper stash, more blankets than we think we'll ever need, and the front carrier. But that’s what is so wonderful and relaxing about “test” camping trips – you can always run up the hill to the house you forgot was there, or make a quick trip in town to the store.
