Camping- Wyalusing SP

This weekend we went to Wylusing State Park for the first time and it was fantastic! A quick impromptu vote in the car on the way out of the park put Wyalusing in the lead passing Rock Island and Madeleine Island for Annika. Emma has them all tied. No matter the specific votes, it is a very cool, very special spot.
We did some canoeing on the Mississippi River slough today before leaving. Annika was the most vocal about canoeing. Apparently she wasn't concerned about the need to wear a life vest, something that was a huge deal breaker for the last "fun day" of swim lessons this summer. The rivers are flooded because of the huge amounts of rain over the last few weeks. So there were trees and grasses and other land plants that were poking up in strange places. The water was flowing but not too fast to push us out of sight of the dock area (a mandatory requirement since the canoe trail was closed). The first time out on the water Annika was at the helm, I sat behind her on the canoe bottom with Bandit, next came Emma and Steve was steering. Bandit did really well but I also had her on a very short leash. It was quiet and peaceful except for the fast-moving trains that went barreling down the tracks every so often.
We took a break for lunch and then the girls and I went back out. This time Emma was up front and really knows how to paddle. I was steering in the back. We enjoyed the shade of some close-to-shore spaces. The canoeing was a highlight for sure!
On Saturday we woke up and headed to some points of interest such as some burial mounds and the Passenger Pigeon monument. Annika was grumbling in the van about hiking but once we got to the scenic overlooks and took in the awesome views of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers she was leading us down the trails. We hiked for a good 2.5-3 hours down and up and around the ridges. We had to go "off-roading" a couple times when the trail was found covered with water for many feet. It was an adventure. While sitting around the campfire later Annika had this to say (out of the blue): I am glad I didn't complain today. Wow- so cool! (Hiking at Rock Island was one for the books and involved many tears, screaming and complaining for most of the hiking.)
After some rest that afternoon we went on a driving tour of some of the spots we had not seen. Lots to save for next time. And speaking of next time, we are definitely going to reserve a spot in the Wisconsin Ridge campground instead of Homestead. The views for many of them are breathtaking! Plus there are more hammock options. On the way home Emma made a list of the places we would like to visit next summer and beyond. Wyalusing is top!

Annika's 6th Birthday was Grrrr-reat!

Annika wanted her party to be tiger themed. So I donated some money to National Geographic when they emailed me about saving the tigers. Then we threw her a kids' party at the local park. We cut ribbon into lengths of tails and secured them to mini, orange clothespins. These were used to dress-up and to play catch the tails. Only a few kids wanted to chase each other around but they had fun. One of A's friends won the game with 3 tails. They used the tails to play pin the tail on the tiger. Emma had drawn the tail-less tiger on a reused piece of poster board. They all loved that. Annika and one other friend got their tails the closest to the actual spot. They also ran around the castle play structure, swung on the swings and generally played around in the warm sunshine.

Lots of food in orange and black colors. Cheeto paws and puffs. Carrots (with ranch dip that I forgot to put out until later), blackberry + cantaloupe skewers, a bowl of alternating rows of cubed orange cheese and black olives. Pizza for the main course followed by cupcakes in tiger striped wrappers, made by grandma and topped with tiger faces on sticks.

Annika also wanted whiskers and a black nose. It was so cute to see her and her friends running around like tigers. It was a great time at the park!

What she said she wanted to do all year long (since her 5th birthday) was to go back to Rock Island State Park. So the day after her birthday we headed up there for a 3-night camping adventure. So much fun was had! Swimming, hiking (though Annika was not a fan of this part and let the entire island know by her very loud, very long-lasting vocal complaints), roasting marshmallows, playing a stopping game on the hammock, sleeping in the tents and enjoying nature.

Annika and Emma shared the 2-person tent. Huge first time adventure for all of us! They have never slept in a tent without either Mommy or Daddy. And despite a few squabbles, it was a great experience.

One of the highlights was when Bandit swam out to all of us out in the water. She didn't want to be left alone on the shore so she joined us. It was so cute. After that we had to let her have some swimming time by going out to fetch sticks. (She doesn't really get the entire fetching process but she got to swim and chew on some sticks!)

My thoughts to "Little A" on your 6th birthday:  You are quite the energetic and out-spoken girl. You know what you want and are not afraid to do your best to make that happen. You can be fiery and fierce but you also know that the best feelings are those of kindness. You have a big heart and a loving soul. Your hugs and kisses are the best! I have gotten teary eyed several times so far this school year as I watched your little face peering up over the edge of the bus window as it drove away. You wave and blow kisses and try to make the "I love you" sign with your fingers- all the way until the bus passes out of sight. It is so hard to watch you moving away from me like that- going off to world where I cannot go. As you start 1st grade this year it is especially hard because this is how it will be. You are growing up and I am learning how to let you do that on your own, in your own special, unique way. I will be here always to support and love you, no matter what path you take. I know that with your intelligence, curiosity and zest for life, you will do amazing things. Happy birthday!

5 and 10

Not the local dime store- I don't think they exist anymore. Annika is 5 and Emma is 10. As I type this, those ages (numbers) seem more significant now than they have since October when Emma celebrated her 10th birthday. And birthdays seem like a good place to start.
Annika's 5th birthday- swimming! At Goodman, at the beach. It was great.
Emma- celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa and Tom and Karen with dessert. She brought a friend with to a waterpark in the Dells. That was fun!

In no particular order- here are some highlights that pop up as I type:
Last night Annika splashed in the rain while Emma practiced the piano. I love to watch the outside joys and listening to my girl make music is just pure magical bliss.
Chloe had to be put down a couple years ago- February 29th actually. That was awful and Emma really took it hard. She loved that dog so much! They were great pals and I know Emma whispered things to Chloe and thought of her as a close, dear friend.
Last year at the end of May we adopted Bandit, though that name took awhile in the making. She was just over 1 year old and full of spirit. My grandma Helwig would have called it "full of piss and vinegar." No joke. Those first few months were rough! Emma missed Chloe even more because this new pet was not a cuddle up with and whisper to kind of friend. Bandit is getting there, though, and everyone loves her. Even Steve. She is a perfect blend of hijinx and sweetness and as she continues to be trained up and pass out of puppy years, she is going to be great.
Annika loves Kindergarten at Toad Hill. It is so incredibly sad that we are aging out of that school. In the fall, both girls will attend Isthmus Montessori Academy Public. That has been a long time coming and is very exciting. The girls are looking forward to being at the same school and we are looking forward to being tuition-free!