Holiday camping!

Every year before the 4th of July, we always "talk" about plans of what we hope to do and it all sounds great but by the time we actually act on those plan, things are booked, friends already have plans and we end up doing the same 'ol thing. NOTHING!

We may bbq in the back and then head out around the town to try and find the best spot to view the local fireworks. "Okay, that was fun. I'm tired. Lets go home now."

Fun.

Well, this past 4th of July was different.

With the process of starting our first restaurant, we wanted to make sure we got some quality family time in before the "BIG Hur-Raw" of the restaurant.

Well, we've been trying to camp at this one place in Big Sur but it must be quite popular cause it's booked as far out as I can see. Sheesh. However, we did find some place different. Instead of our usual Calaveras Big Trees, where we head out north-east, this time we headed south.....to the Santa Cruz Mountains!

It really is a beautiful place!

Only problem is, we are used to having our own space between campsights and not one that is literally 5 ft from the next camper over.

While we were setting up our tent, we noticed the surrounding campers with their usual sized tents. Well, we have been camping for many years and while started out with these usual sized tents, we have upgraded over the years....hence the next conversation...

Neighbor: Sorry. We're just watching you set up your condo over there.

Us: LOL!! I know, huh?! It's taking up our whole space!



After we set things up, we decided to head down and check out the river.

When we were putting things up, we kept hearing a helicopter right above us, real close. When we were heading to the river, we got a closer look and I noticed that it was a rescue effort going on. Never heard whatever happened though. Just hope that person was okay.



We camped for a few days.

To be honest,

we enjoyed...



every minute...



of it!!



We even got ready to head down to Scotts Valley to enjoy some local fireworks there!


(love my daughters fireworks headband!)

What a great way to refresh ourselves before a long wait for our next vacation.

So unusual for us and honestly, I feel soooooo cooped up here at home!!

AAAHHHHH!!!!

All the more reason to blog and keep all of you company but then I have less things to yap about? I guess? Oh boy...maybe I'll just have to start Vlogging!!

Hmmm?? Your thoughts on that? I've done it before and it was fun(ny)! An upcoming Vlog post??

Ayways...I hope you all will come back and visit me again! I know I've been MIA for awhile and I do plan on being better! I hope to update you more with what's been going on, as well as what's to come!

Six Word Saturday!

Officially A Brown Belt In Karate!!

My daughter just earned her Brown belt this past Wednesday! That was my birthday also. I guess you could say that was my birthday?! We're so very proud of her!!

I Have A Confession...

I am a mommy!

I have one child, a daughter.

If you have read my blog before, you would already know that.

But here's my confession...

It pains me to see her grow up!

Yesterday was her first day in 5th grade. 5TH GRADE!!! *sigh*

On the way to walking up to her school, she tells me "You're gonna cry, huh?!". I replied with a "No! I'm fine. I've never cried before." She replied with a simple "Oh."

Well, later as I was carpooling with my husband, driving him to work, I broke down. My husband being a man just simply said "It's OK Hun, it's part of life." No kidding.

In the next few minutes, I mustard up the courage and dried up my tears and carried on the rest of the day.

My mistake?

Later as I was tucking my daughter into bed, I told her I broke down earlier. Almost like I was confirming to her that she was right. Instead, I think I just stirred up mixed emotions in her. AHHHHH!!! (I need to learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes).

She then says to me, "I knew it!" so I confirmed with her that I was really fine when she said it and that it was when I was driving "daddy" to work. She then gets quiet a little and says "I wanted to cry too" and then she puts her face in her pillow and breaks down. *sigh* She then goes on to say in the midst of crying, "I don't want to grow up. I love you so much. I don't want you to leave." Oh boy! What did I just start??

I never knew how hard it was gonna be to be a "mommy". One thing I can assure you is this, it is a daily learning lesson. Now, to avoid causing my baby girl anymore stress that "mommy is so sad that I'm growing up", I need to encourage her to be excited! Yikes! Again....not an easy thing to do but I am the mommy and I need to do this for my baby girl.

In the meantime, any wisdom someone may lend me would surely be appreciated!!