Our first RV weekend with the boys is behind us, and yes Dorothy,
there’s no place like home…
We left on Thursday for a three night stay at an RV resort just a couple of hours away. The resort was definitely family-friendly, and probably not the kind of place we’d go to as a couple (although it was surprising just how many couples were there), but the people were friendly, it was clean and they had plenty of organized activities for the kids, so no complaints (other than the wi-fi was terrible).
Mikey and Maddox spent a lot of time at the pool where they enjoyed showing off their diving abilities.
There was a parade that day…
I was impressed to read that this resort has raised over $250,000 to date for The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, and all the participants in the parade were ‘Shriner’s’.
To benefit the hospital, Saturday night there was an activity for everyone which involved decorating a box and basically being a player in a live board game.
As you can see, we went all out decorating Maddox’s box. 😉
Well, maybe we didn’t, but some of the other children sure did! Wow! These people are serious about their games!
The game basically starts off with rolling dice and each player progressing accordingly. Maddox started out strong…
but it didn’t take long for him to get overrun by these two babes. He was totally dejected!
(Check out the car on the left!).
Victory!
Just when he thought all was lost, we learned they were giving 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies. That trophy was another one of his appendages the rest of the weekend.
Mikey was busy struttin’ his stuff with his awesome box, lovingly and professionally decorated by moi. I truly outdid myself folks ;).
But never fear because it matters not that your box may be the most pathetic display of craftiness in the Northern Hemisphere. What matters is the luck of the draw, and Mikey pulled out all the stops and took home the 1st place trophy for his age group, 11-adult!
Scratch that.
It doesn’t matter if your box is pathetic, or even that you took home the trophy (but don’t tell them that).
What matters is this…
In other news…
So much to share, so little time. I just finished a six week class on collage and printmaking. I’ll tell you about it soon. We haven’t made much progress on the fire pit, but hope to start and finish it next week. We have the boys until Thursday so I’m not expecting to get much house stuff done.
It’s good to be home where I plenty of towels (I forgot to bring enough) and a decent internet connection. Here’s what I learned from this last trip: check and double check the RV before you leave. I’m such a knucklehead. I left my camera bag in the RV, which happens to be stored an hour away. Fisherman drove back today to pick it up, so you’ll have to excuse me while I go make his favorite dinner ;).
Cecilia says
It took a bit to get the leaving the farm house routine down, left a few things behind we couldn’t get until the next visit. I’d say he deserves his favorite dinner. 🙂
The boys are adorable. Enjoy the rest of your time with them!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
It sounds and looks like they had a great time, Doreen! I’m sure you and the hubs had as much fun cheering them on and seeing them get trophies. Enjoy your time with them!
rue says
Damn overachievers! I used to hate when the game turned from the kid doing it and having fun, to the parents doing it for them. School science projects come to mind. I’m glad the boys had fun though and they looked super happy, which is all that matters 🙂
On a side note… I hope none of those kilts blew up in the wind LOL
xo,
rue
Doreen says
That’s what I was thinking Rue! Shriveled 80 year old sausages are not exactly my idea of eye candy :/.
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Looks like such a fun time for the boys! 🙂
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
What I find so interesting about children is that their facial expressions show EVERYTHING! Unlike adults who try to mask their feelings, kids just let her rip. What adult would want to put a box around themselves and do that? Was that customary in the race? Tell the boys that you absolutely cannot judge a book by its cover. Well, sometimes…
Brenda
Doreen says
That’s so true Brenda, and yes, you HAD to wear a box or you couldn’t participate, but that just added to the fun.
Sue says
What a riot about the box games, love it. And enjoyed the little captions on the photos too. You’re a nice Grandma and Grandpa! Camera in the RV an hour away and Fisherman went all the way there and back to retrieve it for sure deserves a wonderful dinner.
Linda C says
that was a great first trip with the grands! I had a ball reading this and the photos were wonderful! You impressed your youngsters and it shows! Good times and good memories!
Doreen says
Thanks Linda! Now hopefully next time we’ll have hot water and wifi;).
tammy j says
this post just makes me so happy!
two little brothers. both winners!
and THEY’RE boxes looked like KID’S boxes!
not pseudo-kid boxes made by overachieving adults. LOL!
what a fun place for families.
a great first time outing!
80 year old sausages. LOLOLOL!
gross. i was about to eat breakfast too. darn you.
tammy j says
i guess if i’m going to get huffy about boxes i should spell it right.
THEIR boxes.
Doreen says
Lol! I saw that and thought ‘not my Tammy!’
xxx
Jemma says
Doreen,
Your humor, wit and writing never fail to put a smile on my face! One of the many things I enjoy about you:)
Mikey and Maddox are adorable, I just have to keep looking at this last photo-it has a 1950’s appeal to it and really warms my heart. There is nothing quite as sweet as a well deserved victory! Congrats to the champs and a big hug to their cute and fun Grandma!
xoxxo
Jemma
Doreen says
Thanks Jemma, you’re a doll. I love that photo too and was glad I was there camera ready (that’s rare lol).
Cindy says
It must have been a fun time for all. It’s super that you’re making memories with the boys. They are priceless. Be careful doing anything outside, it’s brutal
Cindy
Jane says
You are so funny!! The resort looks like it’s great for families and I know you made those two cuties very happy! A pool, a parade, a contest and WINS! This is going to be one of their favorite childhood memories!
I hear you on the getting organized part. For the first year or two at the lake I made a lot of forgetful moves that we paid for. I finally resorted to a list—just one list that had every essential listed on it, right down to the name of my medications. Since you don’t have the room for a huge amount of “stuff” in the RV you have to bring it with. I’m so brilliant—a list, Doreen, a list!!! Eureka!
Want to hear about the class.
Jane x
Doreen says
Lol You ARE brilliant!
When our cabin was our weekend place, we ALWAYS had a list. We also have one for the rv, but it’s a bit trickier because unlike a house we really can’t leave any food there, or even stuff like sheets and towels for very long because they can end up smelling mildewy. So with afew exceptions, we are always starting from scratch. We’ll eventually get the hang of it!
Cindi says
I never camp and I’ve never been to an RV resort.
I never thought I’d want to do something like that and yet…
it looks like such a great weekend!
Time spent with loved ones is priceless and what wonderful memories those boys will have.
🙂
That last photo is just the sweetest.
xoxo
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Awww, that last photo is so cute! Looks like the boys really enjoyed having some good old, non-electronic fun! Very cute post, Doreen – loved the comic captions!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I couldn’t help but laugh at the picture of the tiny Mikey in his huge box next to the adult in his tiny box!
Feral Turtle says
Haha Adorable pics Doreen. Looks like you had a fantastic time!!
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen, I loved the picture of your special boy in the box with his trophy. It reminded me of my kids. They used to love boxes and made little houses out of them. There are so many things to play with when you’re a kid, but it melts my heart to see them using their imagination with such a simple thing as a BOX.
A happy Wednesday to you,
~Sheri
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Looks like a wonderful time was had by all – fancy box or not! Lol That’s a clever idea for the game – but they should give everyone some fun things to decorate each box with to make it easier. Glad victories and trophies were the catch of the day!! I bet they had great fun. 🙂
Still can’t wait to see that fire pit. Our landscapers have been quiet – so don’t know how much of our landscaping will get done before Fall either…..getting worried (& annoyed).
I’m taking lots of good notes from you for when I hope to be an RV owner one day. 😉 That Fisherman is a good Dude – and I hope he enjoyed his dinner!
Blessings on the rest of your week my dear Friend. xoxo
Dewena says
Yep, that last photo is worth running out of towels, no hot water, and terrible internet connection.
The little girl with the “amateur” box reminded me of all the times in elementary school when parents had helped their children with their projects–mine wouldn’t. But I admit to helping mine.
I’ll look forward to seeing what your collage lessons were all about. Knowing you, you’ll do wonderful things with it, Doreen.
Emily says
Now that is what I think a vacation for the boys should look like! What a wonderful time all of you had and I just bet the boys will always remember this time spent with you and their wonderful time! Your photos capture so many emotions on their faces, fun memories for them. You are having a busy summer but the good “busy.” Enjoy the fading summer, it has gone by in such a flash!
Hugs…………
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest says
I’m not the RV type (I like hotels with room service) but it sounds like a fun time! I’m home from the hospital but not allowed to do much for the next few weeks and on a horribly restrictive diet. Just wanted to pop in to say hello!
Doreen says
I like hotels with room service too lol!
Sorry to hear you’re under the weather Manuela. Feel better soon and thank you for stopping by!
(The boys just left so as soon as I catch my breath I can start visiting y’all again.)
Linda says
Hi Doreen,
What a wonderful, fun trip you took! We used to go to places like that when my daughters were young. Such good times and memories! I see you took a class on collaging! I am hoping to take one soon as well. Looking forward to hearing more about that! Have a lovely day!
Linda
mysewwhatblog
Poppy says
Well if anyone could give a peppy play-by-play on all the play, it’s hands down, you, Doreen! I love that you always see the funny in all the fun! That pic of the bros is beautiful; thank goodness you didn’t forget your camera for that!:))
xoxo
Poppy
handmade by amalia says
Well, that was exciting. Victory!
Amalia
xo
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Oh how fun!!!….and so great that the trophy was a part of his body that weekend…what a great way to raise money for the Shriner’s Hospitals…that charity is near and dear to our hearts!
Doreen says
I think I recall you mentioning Shriner’s in one of your posts at one point Shirley…hope I’m not mistaken. In any case, it was truly a fun weekend. Thanks for taking the time to catch up, and I’ll be by soon to return the favor. Where does the time go???