Camping for 5

We love camping, but haven't been since we had Soph. That's quite some time ago. We don't like to do anything when the kids are little for fear of them acting out. When we had Magnus we didn't take any vacations until he was about 2. By the time Soph was 2, I was pregnant with Odin. And there was no way, we were going with 2 little ones in tow. Do you know how dirty they would get! Yes, I know that camping and dirty are synonymous of each other.

I love how Magnus is showing his sister how to hammer down the stake. He's got a few camping trips under his belt!

We borrowed this chair from a friend and oh my goodness, Odin was in love with it! He wore this anytime he wasn't sitting in it!!! Thank you Lea Ann and Grace!

What's a camping trip without roasting marshmallows???

I love this picture of Magnus. This is what childhood and life should be about. All the cares cast aside and soaking in the glory of the skies.

When you're camping at the beach, you must also play in the sand. I appreciate that I have a kid that doesn't like to get dirty/messy. So this is the closest Odin will get to be being dirty.

On the other hand, I have 2 other ones, who doesn't give a hoot what I think! Look at them, ridiculous. This was after they had their breakfast. John too them down to the beach while I cleaned up camp. He came up to get the camera and when he got back, he found this. I would've freaked out! It's a good thing dad was there!!!

 We told Odin to get closer to his siblings for the pic and this was close enough for him. Ha! That. for sure, is a child of mine! I think they took half the beach home with them. There was sand in every nook and cranny...

Celebrating our Freedom 2014

 For Independence Day we go over to my sister's in Rohnert Park because they are about the only city left in our county that allows you to do your own fireworks. So, thank you sister, for living in a fun city!

I thought it might be fun to bring our ice cream maker and make ice cream...this was our first time using it and I was sorely disappointed. I thought as soon as the churning was stopped that we would have ice cream. Not quite so. You have to stick it in the freezer for a while and then it'll set. Oh well, lesson learned. Another lesson learned is to take the mixer blade out of the canister before you freeze it or else it all freezes together. Yeah, lessons learned! haha

 My sister has quite a large backyard. And since we are Asians, it's only fitting that we would play badminton! So much fun!

 We love to bring Pop-Its along. It sets the mood for all that will come later in the evening. Of course, the kids are getting older, so they like to throw it at each other instead of the ground. Thankfully we still have some little ones!

This year, we started a new tradition with a paper airplane contest. I've talked about how competitive my family is and this is right up their alley. Some people were excited to show off their skills and some were hesitant. I would be in the hesitant group. I royally stink at making them!

 Some had a hard landing...like enough to pierce through the leaf of an eggplant plant.

 I'm so glad they always go along with my shenanigans. Now that's how they exercise their freedom! Ha ha ha!

Fall Ritual

Every year, we LOVE raking the leaves out in the front of the house. It seems sometimes, it's more like a battle of who gets to rake! Why is it so fun? I do not know, but it is! We use to have just one rake and that was quite frustrating. Magnus would want to use it and the rest of us would have to wait until he was done before we could really rake instead of mess around like he was. So finally, one year, I remembered to buy another rake and it is working much better. Now there's a play rake and a real rake! But now that Magnus is old enough, the job is really just his. We are ok with him wanting to do this. Growing these Grandbergs do have its perk!  

And when your kids look as happy as this when they are doing manual labor, why fight them?!?

Summer Is Coming

O Summer, how I don't like the heat you bring with you, but I love that there are no lessons to teach. No lesson plans to write, no schedule to adhere to. I never understood how much people liked summers until we began homeschooling. Now I look forward to it as much as the next person! 

A big part of summer is swim lessons. I'm thankful that we are blessed to be able to give the kids lessons.

This year, we signed up at a local pool, where we can swim to our hearts content from May to Sept. Come the end of summer, we will be more than a few shades darker. You might not even recognize me....

Beach Fun

Over the summer, we had a cub scout outing at the beach. Which coincided with our friends camping there. What a great coincidence!

How many kids can you fit on one hammock? Maybe 4???

Nope, looks like 5 will do just fine!!!

What a great time these two had hanging out with each other! Fun girl friend bonding time!!!

And you have to have a fire, perhaps a stick, maybe even a marshmallow!

Yum!

Yummy!

Yummiest! What a fun time growing relationships!

Twin Hills Apple Farm

We love the apple farm! They make the best field trip and make the best foods!!! When it was apple picking season, we went and did a Upick. We love Upick! It connects you so much closer to the farm. 

While we were busy picking, Odin was busy eating. He loves apples as much as we do!

They were so proud that they were able to hold their baskets even though it was getting heavy.

Hmm, comparing apples to apples???

And another apple sampling!

At $1.99/lb for this many apples. It equals a lot of money...

When your belly is full and your hands are free, the next best thing is to play with dirt!

So happy with himself!

Look, we even found Mater!!!

We absolutely love this place! Unfortunately it has now closed and will probably be used for growing grapes instead of apples. So sad, but we sure enjoyed it while it was opened.

Quarryhill Botanical Garden

We went on this field trip with a Groupon purchase which made it super cheap. I like super cheap! This is out in Glen Ellen. 

Ah, the boys. Magnus being a great big brother and entertaining his brother while mom and dad cleaned up lunch!

And a field trip wouldn't be a great field trip until there's a dirty diaper that needs changing!

One of my favorite flowers. It smells oh so good!

One of the many flowers along the route.

Roar!

It was quite a hot day and after a hike up, these guys were spent! Cue the bad attitude...

After sitting in the shade recuperating, we finally got some smiles!

It also helped that we found a water fountain. Everyone was happy to have some nice cold water!

Finding a waterfall and skipping over rocks was pretty fun too!

We gave Magnus the trail map and he was in charge of directing us.

All in all it was a great trip. Our only wish was for it to not be hot like it was that day.