Yesterday we took a trip with friends out to Scoggins Creek off Hagg Lake. Got there early afternoon and stayed ’til almost dusk. We had ten kids altogether, which made for fun wading, splashing, falling in, and tree climbing.
One of the funniest moments was when Sandy ran into the deepest part of the creek to save her granddaughter’s flip flops before they made the majestic journey into the lake. After her valiant efforts succeeded, we all cheered.
Then we grilled hot dogs over charcoal, while the kiddos either got filthy dirty in sand or played London Bridge. Ate finger food of grapes, apples, carrots, and rice krispie treats. Why does food taste so much better when it’s eaten outside among friends?
We then encouraged the children to play with fire. You know, train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Bunch of pyros! They made a huge game of running for moss before the coals died down and fanning the smoke over the camp to keep the mosquitoes away.
The mosquitoes. I had brought a can of 23% DEET, which is pretty near the legal limits, I think. 😉 We lined up the eight kids who were still there by then and sprayed legs, arms, and necks. Then lined them up again and resprayed when the skeeters were going right through clothes and landing all over our hair. Tried to hike, but ran into mud pits.
The oldest girls lost their hearts to a stray kitten who was also being eaten alive by swarms of mosquitoes. Despite its meows and pitifully following us, both Sandy and I stayed strong. Joshua asked, “What if it just happened to get in the back of our car?”
“Hmm … I’d be awfully suspicious if that happened, Buddy!”
It’s so frustrating to have gorgeous pictures of “Angel” that I’m not able to post. However, legal gears are turning and there may be a time when I am able to show her beautiful face. Keep those prayers up.
She appears to be somewhat allergic to mosquitoes. Each of her bites has swollen to about the size of a quarter … even the one on her forehead! Looks like an off-kilter unicorn …
Love the pictures! Looks like you’ve been having a great summer!
Hi Christina –
Great pics! Enjoy your summer.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Just can’t comment again…. :)!!!
Jody and Susan, I hope you don’t get tired of these how-I-spent-my-summer-vacation posts because I have a feeling I might end up with quite a few of them. Trying to give the kids a fun, healthy break from all the stress of the last months so we can hit the ground running in September.
Nikki, like I said, took me a few minutes, but I got it eventually. 😉