Camping Out

No, we aren't camping out with Riley yet (or ever - I do NOT like eating or going to the bathroom outside.  Ryan can take the girls whenever he wants, and I'll visit the campsite).  I'm actually talking about all of the awesome camps Alli has already been involved in this summer.  We were very intentional about the timing of Riley's birthdate (as intentional as we could be, of course) so that I could have at least some of the summer off with both girls.  Riley timed her arrival perfectly, so I will have 100% of Alli's summer home.  But I knew with a newborn we would probably be spending a lot of time indoors, and there would very likely be things that Alli wanted to do that we wouldn't be able to do (movies, water parks, etc).

So this spring, I spent a lot of time looking into summer camps that Alli could attend periodically throughout the summer to make sure she was out of the house, around other kids, and having a good time.  With me usually at work and summer camps running from hours like 9AM-11AM, Alli hasn't gotten to do camps in the past very much, so it was a great opportunity for her and I hope she'll have fond memories of it.

The first camp on the agenda was horse camp at her barn, which happily coincided with the first week school was out AND Riley's arrival.  Riley was born on Monday, and camp started that Tuesday and was 8:30-3:30 until Friday.  It was absolutely awesome timing, because it meant Alli was around for Riley's birth, but didn't have to hang out at the hospital all day for the next two days.  I didn't get to go watch like I would have otherwise, but her trainer sent me tons of pictures.  The kids spent the mornings riding, and the afternoons swimming, doing crafts, watching demonstrations (farrier, vet, chiropractor), and playing games.  Alli also achieved two huge milestones at camp - she jumped and she cantered!

Alli is on Dice (the black and white pinto) 

The week after horse camp, we had soccer camp with Steve Oliver.  Alli has really taken to soccer, and I was excited for her to get some more coaching.  The camp was 5:30-7 Monday through Friday of last week, so Ryan, Riley and I went to sit in the shade and watch her.  I got some judgey stares from other mamas for having my ten day old out in the heat, but I just replied to their comments with "She's part of the family" and "My car is right there if she gets hot!"  Seriously, people, I have two kids.  The world can't totally stop just for one of them!!  Alli had a great time and learned a lot.  She is signed up for another soccer camp at the end of the summer that is part of pre-season prep.

And then this week, she's been going to Vacation Bible School at our church from 9-11:30.  Monday morning I got both girls ready and drove them there myself - my biggest accomplishment since I actually had Riley.  And we were only ten minutes late (again)!!  Alli has really enjoyed VBS, and she comes home bubbling over with information and singing at the top of her lungs.

We're also very fortunate that my sister is in town and works a flexible schedule, as she has come over to visit and even taken Alli to the Rogers Aquatic Center twice.  We've gone to our neighborhood pool a few times too.  There's a great covered area where Riley can chill in the shade while Alli swims and Mama gets some sun.  We'll be beach-ready before you know it!!