So here is one post I started to work on months ago - but never finished and posted.
In July, my Mother came to visit for two weeks. After a not-so-smooth first flight and missed transfer and night spent in an airport sleeping on a bench, she made it to Boise. We were not happy United customers - we redeemed miles to get her tickets and even had her in first class - they were late and shut the doors to the connection as she walked up and didn't offer a voucher towards a hotel or anything - and then dropped her down out of first class for her flight the next day into Boise.
Again - NOT happy with United.
But happy to finally see Grandma!
We were leaving the very next day for a camping trip - she was so excited! (Those that know her know that is a total fabrication).
After another sleepless night (Little Lady was crawling into bed with her all night) we left SUPER early to start our drive north. We stopped in McCall for breakfast and to stretch our legs.
Thankfully the sun was up by the time we got there so she could see how pretty it is.
Perfect spot for a break.
She even got to put her toes in the sand.
Then it was back into the car for several, several more hours. I did all the driving - keeps me occupied and I'm admittedly not always a good passenger. Our final destination was Round Lake - the same place we had briefly camped last summer. We made great time all the way to Coeur d'Alene - the BIG city up North - and then had to deal with the traffic lights for the rest of our drive to Round Lake. We were on a tight schedule because Papa had class that evening. The plan was for him to set up in an internet cafe in Sandpoint and do his class. The goal had been for us to get set up and them have him head off for class. Well - time was too tight for that. We ended up getting to the campground and unloading everything as quickly as we could and then he had to haul out of there. So - I had to set up shop solo. My Mom took the kids to explore the campground while I set everything up. Setting up an 8 person tent by yourself is not a fun task, but I did it. We don't need to revisit that anymore.
We figured it would be good to check out the lake and get the kids moving around while Papa was gone.
We tossed them in some suits and headed down to the water.
Perfect outlet after being in a car all day.
Of course we then had to finish getting camp ready and work on dinner stuff.
I had concerns about how to keep Ninja Baby from wandering off and having to constantly chase after him. He was NOT at a stage where he would maintain interest in one spot.
One suggestion from a friend was to put a belt on them and then attach that to a tree - yes, kinda like a leash, but he would be able to explore the area around but not wander off and I'd be abe to tend to things.
That didn't work so well. He just tangled himself up in the rope.
The other suggestion had been to bring a small tent for the kids to play in. You could even zip them up in it to make sure they stayed put.
That did not work for him either. He essentially turned it into his own hamster ball and went rolling down a hill in it.
**sigh**
Let's just say that camping with him is a challenge. If my Mother had not been with us I may have just packed it up and left. Too many things to have to tend to while trying to deal with a constantly moving-getting into stuff-Ninja baby.
Papa eventually got back after his class, we ate dinner and then the attempts to get Ninja Baby to sleep started. I actually kinda wished he was till nursing so I could have gotten him to sleep that way. I had to lay with him and hold him while he cried and crawled and writhed 'till he passed out. He doesn't do well with sleeping away from home.
He does well with waking up super early away from home though!
And, of course, Northern Idaho is an hour behind Boise, so I think he was up at 4 something in the morning there.
Too early. Time to go look at the lake again.
Grandma joined us.
'
We had the lake all to ourselves. Everyone else was sleeping. Go figure.
And, yes, sun rise is crazy early up there.
I do have to mention an issue we had with the lake this year. When we visited Round Lake last year it was pristine. It was lovely. It was perfect. This year there was poop EVERYWHERE. Not just little bits - HUGE PILES. And no one seemed to care. Their kids were playing right next to it - they were standing right by it. I actually took a shovel and tried picking a ton of it up. We got to the point we didn't want the kids playing by the lake because it was so gross. Also, the first day Ninja Baby played in the water he must have sat in fish guts or something because his suit reeked of fish oil for the rest of the week. Just not happy with the condition of the lake this year.
I was happy with the trails though. We got to do some early morning walking on them since Ninja Baby was so eager to explore so early every.single.morning.
Eventually my Mom and I decided to head to Sandpoint with Ninja Baby so I could use some internet and check work emails. We had also run out of ideas of what to do with him so early while keeping him quiet for other campers.
My Mom walked around town with a stroller while I hung out in Starbucks. Of course, her cell phone was dead so I couldn't find her when I was all done. I walked around looking for her and came across the public beach.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
I finally found her and we headed back to camp. Papa had breakfast going when we got back.
This little bugger was happy to get back to camp and back to wandering.
She got to enjoy a nice camp breakfast with us,
and continued to chase after this guy,
and had fun collecting lichen with Little Lady.
A lot of time was also spent in the back of the car. We were backed in, stopped at a log that acted as a perfect step up for them..."Hey we're out in the woods! Let's play in the car".......confession: they probably got the idea because we kept putting Ninja Baby in the back to contain him for a minute while we got something done - but he would still climb over the seats to the front so it failed miserably.
Nothing like that first morning camping after a leisurely, night full of sleep.
We then headed to Sandpoint to enjoy the (clean) beach there.
**Le Sigh**
One could get used to that. The water was admittedly chilly, but the little "tide pools" were warm and if you floated on the surface on a raft you were good to go.
I tend to sit on shore, but I even got to enjoy some floating around with Little Lady.
There is a nice little beach and a playground up in the grass behind the beach. Even a snack shop.
And this was a busy 4th of July weekend.
We then basically drove west, then north out of Sandpoint and toward Priest Lake, checking out the views.
Priest Lake is pretty darned remote, but stunning. As most of Idaho is.
We also came across some buffalo. Farmed buffalo.
We headed back to camp, did dinner, and went through the routine of trying to get Ninja Baby to sleep again.
The next day was the 4th of July.
We headed into CDA (Coeur d'Alene) for their parade.
We all had our hats. Hats hats hats. You need a hat in Idaho. The hat my Mother is wearing in all the pictures is actually one we got for her in preparation for her visit. She learned the importance of that hat quickly and carried it everywhere with her.
This guy started to get a bit antsy.
We then headed to the beach there to enjoy the lake.
By this time, this guy was pretty overtired.
And VERY upset I wouldn't let him take the stroller into the lake.
Mom enjoyed the lake. As you can tell.
We then started the daunting task of finding something to eat. It was actually pretty ridiculous and we had to leave one restaurant we had been seated at because no one ever came after we were given water - we ended up grabbing a bite at Pita Pit.
We checked out some of the new development they are doing there and checked out the marina. There were throngs of people heading out to the cliffs around the lake, with coolers, getting set up for fireworks in the evenings. Jumping in the water to cool off.
Just seems so right.
We then started the trek back to our car through more festivities.
We somehow didn't notice the large park we had gone past while watching the parade, so we stopped there.
They had the coolest water feature for the kids to play in. I couldn't keep from thinking "no way would Maryland allow this. All they would think of would be the lawsuits".
We had also somehow missed the main beach that apparently everyone goes to - meh, fine by me. Too crowded for my liking - admittedly it was the 4th though.
Then it was back to camp to get changed.
There were plenty of neat things to be seen in camp too - like these two Bald Eagles that lived right next to our camp site.
We ate some grub and got some layers on and then we headed to Sandpoint to watch the fireworks.
The next morning,
after Ninja Baby did his early morning explorations, we headed to Sandpoint to have breakfast. We found a LOVELY place which I unfortunately can't remember the name of. They had awesome, hearty, organic meals. We got a protein lover one which was basically eggs and meat and veggies. My Mom got an omelet with chevre and kale and a giant slice of homemade bread with it. Unassuming, pieced together restaurant with seriously wonderful local food and friendly staff. Perfect.
We then wandered over to the Farmer's Market.
Awesome selection of things.
Held weekly in Farmin Park.
Brings out all types.
We also checked out a local market. We were very impressed with their selection of raw milks. Idaho gladly allows raw milks. Maryland does not.
We then went to try to do a little exploring. Yet again I started to freak out when we began going up a mountain. I have control issues. I don't like being in the passenger seat and seeing the possible death we could plunge to if Chris is ever so slightly distracted (which he does honestly get at times). So we turned around. We did check out the campsites on the way down.
It is Grizzly country up there.
At least they posts signs to warn you if a known injured and angry grizzly is walking about.
We then drove around Lake Pend Oreille, past Clark Fork, and ended up at a random boat ramp.
We sat and enjoyed the view for a while. The water was FRIGID.
Mom enjoyed herself. As you can tell.
Striking a pose.
Group shot.
We did some lessons on skipping stones and worked on that for a wile and then headed back to Sandpoint to go to Mass. We were leaving early the next morning (a Sunday) and we thought it would be nice to see what the parish there was like.
And we said one last goodbye to Sandpoint.
Why did we spend all that time in Sandpoint?
Well - we are considering moving there. Papa is done with his FNP program now and it's time to find a job in that field. If we go to a rural care setting/under served area he can apply for loan repayment. The masters program was not cheap and we've got some hefty debt from it. We don't like debt. So, if he can get a job doing what he loves, living in an environment we love, getting that debt forgiven in return for helping those in an area with a shortage of health care workers and most likely making less than he would in a city setting - why not do it?
The next morning we packed up and headed back to Boise.
They were all pretty tired from our camping adventures.
The rest of my Mom's visit was spent simply doing what we normally do.
We walked to the river. It was pretty hot (prob at least 100) and my Mom was basically eating paleo with us, which was playing with her blood sugar a bit. We took some water breaks.
She got to put her toes in the water
and play with her grand kids - is there anything better?
She also got to see some of our local wildlife.
She also did a night of babysitting so we could have some time together.
Good food and soooooooo nice to have some one on one time.
Admittedly though, our date nights always seem to end with coffee. Like "I love spending time with you and being out but I'm sooooooooooooooooooo tired right now".
My Mother enjoyed the simple things. like watching Colette paint while I cut the grass.
My Mother also brought a suitcase full of my old things with her. One item being my bed tent. THIS little lady loved it!
The kids showed off their riding skills for her.
Lots of tea parties were had.
Lots of books were read.
I did also arrange for a sitter so my Mother and I could have some time out together as well.
We then each got a massage.
I also decided to make a special dinner before she left. Basically to celebrate all the holidays and special occasions that we aren't together for. I asked her what she wanted and we headed out to get fixins for it.
Since I had the extra help I let them each use a cart. Ohmygoodness was that intense. Don't see that occurring again - not without help at least. Two carts going different ways with two monkeys throwing in whatever they want - insanity.
My Mother requested nachos for the celebratory meal. So I used plantain chips, ground beef, lettuce, tomato, guacamole and raw cheese.
Also made a chocolate pecan pie (paleoish). Mmmmmm.
I also gave my Mom a project so she wouldn't be totally bored with our day to day lives. I had some old bed sheets that had holes in them, but didn't want to just throw them away. My Mom went ahead and made Little Lady a dress out of them. Every time she wears the dress she can think of Grandma.
The night before she left we enjoyed a family meal of pork belly (a first for her I believe), artichoke and spinach stuff and grilled prosciutto wrapped peaches.
Final bedtime stories were read and then I dropped her off at the airport super early the next day.
It had been a year since the kids had seen her - on our visit to Maryland last year. Two weeks was a perfect amount and I'm happy they had that time together.
We got to see her again this past month - and we'll see her again in May when we are in DC for the graduation ceremony.
