Mid-December Camping with a Toddler

[Date-Adjusted Entry - Sorry Blog Reader users.]

Remember the last time we tried to go camping with the tyke? Well, Mads was probably about 18 months and it was a big fat fail. We ended up leaving (and leaving all of our stuff there with friends), spending Friday night at home, and then dropping the little one off at her Grandparents' house for us to enjoy camping Saturday and night.

This time, things went muuuuch smoother. Maybe it's because Grandma and Grandpa were soooo nice to give us the comfy (heated) RV while they slept in a tent in the semi-rain or maybe she was just ready. In any case, we all had an absolute blast even though it was a bit frigid. I mean, who camps in DECEMBER?! :)

A little reading on the road trip to Big Basin Campgrounds.

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Saturday morning by the fire.

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Two huuuge Redwood trees near our campsite.

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Grandma took Maddie around and they found all sorts of goodies. Oooooh redwood leaf.

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"Wanna hike! Wanna hike!"

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"Let's go, Mommy!"

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So we left for a nice long hike and picnic.

Found!! The elusive banana slug we'd been hunting! A certain almost 2 year old was VERY excited by this discovery.

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Can you spot the newt...??

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We brought the Beco and used it a bit, but Mads spent the majority of the hike walking by herself and just holding our hands.

From 2010 - 12 - December

From 2010 - 12 - December

Pit stop at the water fall.

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Grandma & Grandpa

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And Uncle Alex, too!

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We all worked up a hearty appetite and it was time for our picnic lunch. A couple of large fallen trees did the job well.

From 2010 - 12 - December

From 2010 - 12 - December

After eating, the guys decided to teach Maddie how to throw a ball. Haha.



Back at it!

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For dinner, we had a delicious stew made in the cast iron dutch oven hanging directly over the fire. *mmm*

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Here's Maddie's cozy little bed.

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With bunny and Bubba of course. :)

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1st Haircut

At 22 months, Mads finally had enough hair to need a cut. We definitely didn't want to take any length off, but it was pretty un-even and a few strands of her bangs getting in her eyes.

I took her to Kids Salon on Union Ave. for a little snip-snip today. We had lunch across the street together first and I talked up going to the salon. I told her that she was such a big girl now that she gets to get a hair cut like Mommy... blah blah blah. :) She was SO excited!

Before:

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Ooh froggies:

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Cutting!

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Okay, so she wasn't THRILLED... But she tolerated it really well.

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From 2010 - 12 - December

After:

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From 2010 - 12 - December

From 2010 - 12 - December

I liked the salon a lot and they even gave us a "First Haircut" certificate and her little hair clippings.

San Jose Holiday Parade

I've always loved going to or being in (girl scouts then high school color guard) the San Jose Holiday Parade! We couldn't miss it this year. Here's Mads and I one year ago:

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And here are our adventures this year:

Jason is explaining the escalator to the kiddo on the way up to the light rail platform.

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How cute is her new raccoon hat?! :-P

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Ridin' the Light Rail

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Go Sharks!

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It rained for a little while, but we were well prepared.

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After the parade, we went over to CDM for some play time.

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From 2010 - 12 - December

From 2010 - 12 - December

From 2010 - 12 - December

From 2010 - 12 - December

Train Day

Mads and I love a spontaneous adventure, so today we joined up with a couple friends and hit the tracks around San Jose for a day out on VTA Light Rail.

Morning snack while waiting for the train.

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From 2010 - 12 - December

On the train platform.

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Her "cheese" face. It's inching closer and closer to her real smile.

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On the train.

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Watching the airplanes when we got to the CDM platform and were waiting for Alia and Tanner.

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Walkin' with friends!

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Sand table at CDM.

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Painting! It's a good thing we got her an easel for Christmas, because she didn't want to leave this!

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Not too long after arriving at the museum, the 4 of us headed out on a nice walk to an early lunch. We stopped off at Specialty's for a delicious meal and my first taste of a Specialty's cookie! Ah-mazing, btw.

Tanner and Maddie decided to do a little dizzy dancing at the table.



After filling up, we took a nice stroll around Christmas in the Park and looked at all of the decorated trees.

Peek-a-boo!

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Unfortunately, it was time for Tanner's nap, so we saw them off at the train station with lots of waving.

I was about to leave when Maddie saw these skateboarders doing tricks and asked to watch for a while. We did and it was definitely entertaining! I don't think they landed a single move, but it was like a highlight reel of rough landings.

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When I was able to pry her away from the 'boarders (after, I'm sure, she stored up a few ideas for later), we walked over to the Guadalupe River Park. We saw some SJPD mounted officers who were super nice to Maddie as they trotted by.

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Pause for photos along the path.

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From 2010 - 12 - December

Kisses!

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And Eskimo Kisses!

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I was hoping to let Mads ride the carousel in the park, but it was closed. Maybe it's a seasonal thing? Good thing I didn't mention it to her earlier in the day. Instead, she had fun playing on the park equipment.

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From 2010 - 12 - December

Eventually we got back on the Light Rail and headed toward Campbell. We sat next to a young guy playing music on his phone. Madison was dancing, head-banging, and generally rocking out. It was too funny and the guy was really sweet to her. He kept saying how cool she was and how she made him want kids. :)

After a pit stop in Tiny Tots for a pee brake for Miss Madison, it was definitely nap time. She eventually fell asleep in the stroller and I found a bench in front of the Ainsley House to rest on while she snoozed.

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By the time she woke up, it was getting pretty dark, so we headed into the library to read some books while waiting for Jase to get off work.

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At 6:30, we met up with the hubs at Aqui for dinner (and a margarita swirl!) He looked through our photos from the day with her and shared his photos from his phone.

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We had such a great time and I can't wait to do it again!