Luke's 6th Birthday

As I was trying to think up something nice to do for Luke for his birthday, I hit upon the idea of visiting our favorite campground. We did a simple dinner out and trip to the dollar store on his actual birthday ($6 was CHEAP for the entertainment of watching him pick out 6 items... he is a shopper at heart) as I didn't want to battle any crowds or schedule conflicts over Memorial Day weekend. Then the following weekend we headed up to the mountains for a day trip.

Have I mentioned how ridiculously cold and rainy it has been this spring? RIDICULOUSLY. And I have no idea how I hit upon the one decent day out of two weeks' worth of weather. By decent, I mean 75 degrees in the valley and 60ish in the mountains. Not perfect, but not pouring down rain, either.

I have NEVER seen such raging water at our favorite little spot. And a deserted campground. There was not a single site occupied when we arrived a little after noon on Saturday. Which was lucky for us, I suppose. We chose a perfect little spot with (miraculously) a bit of rocky beach where the boys and friends could wade (without risking their lives). And a big of jungle for them to explore.

The adults sat around and relaxed around the campfire. We roasted hot dogs and s'mores. We topped off with chocolate chip cookies and rice krispie treats (it just isn't camping without them), and then guaranteed a sugar high with birthday cake. Don't be fooled by the peaceful photo of Luke with his new birthday-gift-book. You should'a seen the look on his face when he opened the cap gun from his cousin. Good thing we didn't have camp neighbors to mind the shooting that ensued for the next hour (when the caps ran out).... Between that, the sling-shot rockets, and a super-soaker water gun, the boy was in heaven.