Camping Out

This weekend we decided to go camping.  When we camp, it is usually just one night as mama can't handle more than that.  I love to camp, but I also like to shower in a warm bathroom daily.  That cannot be done while camping. 

Anyhow, we drove just over an hour and a half north up to Cascade Wisconsin.  We camped at the Kettle Moraine State Park up there.  I have to say, the terrain was so beautiful there!  There were so many colors.  Not in the trees as much as in the grasses and brushes closer to the ground.  It was lovely.  We saw deer meandering around, some eagles.  Nice.

When it came time to sleep though...not good.  The kids had our new air mattress and each of them had a sleeping bag.  They slept great.  It was 48 degrees during the night and Lily was just wearing her princess nightgown.  She was totally fine.  Jason and I, on the other hand, had the mattress that does not hold air.  Also, we had a sheet and blanket as opposed to sleeping bags.  I WAS FREEZING.  Yes, the husband and I huddled together but, lying on the cold ground with just a blanket over you cannot even be conquered by spooning!!  So sad!  I thought spooning conquered all, I really did!  I didn't sleep at all until about 4:45 am when Aidan got up to go pee and I convinced him to get into bed with daddy so I could lie under Lily's sleeping bag with her.  Slept for a couple hours after that.  Not enough, but I was happy.



Went fishing yesterday morning.  Didn't catch anything but I got some beautiful pictures. 

Good times.  Would love to get in one more trip before it gets too cold!

Happenings…..

Not a lot of crazy excitement to report in the Hamilton house at the moment.  We’re a little boring, but for the most part, that is how we like it.

This week we’ve seen that transition into fall like weather.  In Wisconsin, this transition tends to be a wee-bit bi-polar.  It’ll be 65 and breezy one day and then within 2 days it will be back up to 80 again!  For instance, at this very moment it is about 60 degrees and they are forecasting 80+ for Tuesday.  This mood-swingy weather does pose a little wardrobe issue.  That little 15 degree difference in temperature means the difference between wearing your jeans, uggs, and sweaters or, wearing shorts and t-shirts.  My  poor children get very confused.

The other day, I took them to daycare.  When I dropped them off it was probably about 72 degrees or so.  I was in a hurry, I must confess and this lead to a minor “BAD MAMA” moment.   Aidan was wearing shorts and a t-shirt as it was only 7am and quite warm.  He had brought a sweatshirt however when we got him into his classroom he realized that he had left it in my car.  ME in my “hurry” said to him: “aww, you don’t need it, it’s going to warm up this afternoon and you will be hot.”  Selfish, thoughtless, EVIL mama!!  

As the day went on and I went out for my lunch break, I quickly realized I totally lied to my sweet son.  The temperature proceeded to drop ten degrees as the afternoon progressed.  Oops.  Thank goodness he is a hot natured little thing, with a tremendous propensity for sweating!!  He didn’t complain when I picked him up, but I imagine he was chilly at recess.  Lesson learned.  SLOW DOWN, lady!

Then there is Lily.  Lily, the princess.  The Princess who does not like PANTS.  Pants are her nemesis.  Her ideal wardrobe is a flouffy dress and flip-flops.  When we have to stray from that (which is literally 8 months of the year) her world is turned upside down.  Yesterday I discovered that not ONE pair of pants in her closet fit her.  Girls has no pants.  I should say, she HAD no pants.  Her and Jason picked out her clothes for school yesterday and it was a huge wake up call.  She went to school in high water knit bell bottom grey pants and a Clemson university shirt which is a hand-me-down from her brother.  I tried to explain to her that if I could see her socks, that meant her pants were too short.  Her response? “Daddy picked this out so I am not changing!”  You do see the problem part of this phrase, right?  “Daddy picked it out”.  Yes, that explains it.

So, off to school she goes in her too-small clothes and pig tails.  I should have taken a picture but I forgot.  She’s lucky she is cute and can pull it off!  This “wardrobe malfunction” earned her a shopping trip last night.  We went to kohl’s as they have LOTS of leggings.  Leggings are truly the only pants she will wear without complaining too much.  Mainly because she can wear them UNDER dresses and skirts  which means that her girly world is not disrupted too terribly much.  I love shopping with her.   She made some adorable fashion choices.  Don’t worry, lots of pics to come!

Supposed to go camping tonight.  It’s raining here where we are but the campground is a little farther north.  I am really hoping the weather cooperates!  The kids are all excited to camp.  **Fingers CROSSED**

Happy weekend!

New Bedding!

I got new bedding the other day.  I know, it's JUST new bedding, right?  Very true.  However, bedding alone can transform the whole feeling of the room.  When your room is small and the bed is truly the focal point, bedding is even more critical.  It brings a freshness and a newness that just feels damn good!!  We have silvery grey walls, so I wanted a color that would go well with that.  I went with a greenish color and white accents.  New crisp white curtains too.  Lovin it!!

A peek into my boudoir.  That's all for today!! :)

A month of FIRSTS!

September has been such a busy month already.  A month of many, many firsts.  We had Aidan's first day of second grade, Lily's first day of 4K then her first time riding a bus to school, Aidan's first swim team practice, our frist guinea pigs, first Milwaukee Brewers baseball game for me.  BUSY BUSY!!  It's been both exciting and somewhat sad all at the same time.  The kids are growing up on me.  Putting my baby girl on the bus for the first time felt so surreal.  I remember her being 5 pounds.  She curled up on my chest in a little ball and slept every night.  She had to, so she could stay warm.  Her tiny little soul took my breath away. Now she's independant, smart, sassy, so strong, so, so beautiful.  Still breathtaking, but in different ways. 

My Aidan.  My sweet, loveable boy.  Always so gentle and kind, and always wanting to please.  He went to second grade SO excited.  We walked him in and he saw several friends right off the bat.  He is becoming such a confident little fella.  Just started swim team last week.  I am so proud of him.  He tries SO hard.  He truly excels at swimming and I just love that.  There is not a better sport in the world for kids.  He is so eager to RACE.  Haha.  No racing yet for the littler kids, but it will come. 

Let's see, what else?  Arthur and Baxter, our first guinea pigs.  Oh my.  Guinea PIGS?  I wanted to get them for Aidan.  He LOVES small animals so much and his nurturing and kind nature is so suited to care for them.  Turns out, I love them too.  We all do.  They are such sweet little creatures.  They know that I bring them food so everytime I come upstairs and they see me, they squeak with delight.  It is really endearing.  They're awesome...and darn cute too.

(Arthur's the brown one, Baxter is black)

Almost done rambling, I promise.  Saturday we went to our first Brewers game.  Well, MY first, Jason's second.  The game was alright.  I mean, the environment of a baseball game is fun.  The people watching, the food and fun.  I enjoy all that.  The baseball itsself, eh.  Only one run was scored in our game, so the action was fairly light!!  Not like a football game.  It was fun hangin with our friends and with each other. We went to a dueling piano bar afterwards.  It was called Lucilles.  Oh goodness, was that a BLAST.  I laughed so much!!  One of the most fun places I have ever been too!!  Loved it!

 I am so blessed.  I chose to marry this incredible man. Our love hasn't faltered in 13 years together.  We  are approaching our 8 year wedding anniversary and still love each other so deeply and have a beautiful friendship to boot.  It's forever magical, and I have no words to express how thankful I am for this man of mine. 

...LONG weekend ahead

This is the last weekend before school starts for both of the kids.  Aidan starts on Tuesday, SECOND GRADE!!  Lily starts her 4K on Wednesday. I took off tomorrow through Tuesday to get last minute school supplies and just enjoy the last weekend with them.  Luckily for us, the Walworth County Fair is this weekend.  Lots of pony rides, kiddie rides, and pig barns in our future!!  Looking forward to the LONG weekend. 

Took the kids bowling last weekend. Kind of hilarious. It takes Lily's ball about 5 minutes to get down the lane. Seriously. We had a beer and some snacks and then we could see how many pins she got. It's so cute though!! Here are some pics of the bowling adventure, and then Aidan and Jason shooting pool afterwards.