Candle Boats

One of the things they did at camp to celebrate the 4th was make "candle boats". These were little boats made out of half a milk carton and decorated by the kids (and grownups!), then floated down the river. Molly enjoyed decorating a boat, but declared the floating part would be too sad to watch. Clara was fine until she realized that the boats were going to float away down the river (or so we thought). Then a kind person told us that actually, the boats were each caught by a staffer and carefully taken back to shore. Clara was quite relieved, but then refused to let go of the boat. It's still sitting on our mantel.

Molly & her boat

Clara's boat

Sofi's boat

That's my boat in the middle!

Here's Clara's boat!

And here they are rescuing Molly's boat (phew!)

Clara, enjoying the boats after retrieving hers from the camp staff. 

Clara on the 4th

Clara celebrated the 4th of July by getting her face painted. And somehow she managed to dress in very patriotic colors without even trying. Hmmm...

Playing In the River

One of the many wonderful things about Berkeley Tuolumne Camp is the Tuolumne River running through it. There are lots of places along the banks to hang out, throw rocks, and explore. Here's Molly & Clara having some time to explore a shallow section one afternoon.

Berkeley Tuolumne Camp

At the beginning of July we went to Berkeley Tuolumne Camp. We'd been hearing about it for years, but it's one of those places that you have to reserve way in advanced (like November!) so we'd never quite gotten it together. But this year a friend was planning on going, so we just jumped aboard her ship and reserved a spot. And we had a great time. I have way too many pictures, but I"m going to start posting a few and see what we've got. Here's the first group: a few of our favorite things from camp.

the hike to Small Falls

Molly did actually enjoy the hike, in spite of appearances. 

Clara & Zach

So many activities!

a little quiet time at our cabin.

Our lovely cabin "Thimbleberry" was built right over a creek!

Clara at "Kiddie Camp"

Sisters in the sandbox. 

Camp Molly at the Zoo

We had Rylyn over for two days of "Molly Camp" a few weeks ago. For one of the days we took a field trip to the Zoo. of course, the most exciting part was the rides, but we did see some animals.

Molly & Rylyn on the airplane ride

Molly & Rylyn on the car ride

Molly on the merry-go-round

waiting for the train ride

on the train, checking out the Emus (or "Ebus" as Molly calls them)

Wallabies, as seen from the train

Emus, as seen from the train

getting ready to ride the roller coaster

Molly & Sofi

A few more pictures from my afternoon with Molly in late June...

Angel Island 2011

We did it again! Our second annual trip to Angel Island was just as magical as last year. And this year both girls hiked the whole thing. We took a more scenic, and shorter, route - along the hiker paths rather than the bike road. And they were quite the troopers! We gave them a little "rocket fuel" along the way, to help them out, but really, they did the hard work of hiking two miles to the campsite.

Zach, on the ferry over

Molly, on the ferry over

Zach and Molly looking at boats from the ferry.

Clara looking out the front of the ferry.

Molly takes a picture of us on the way up.

first attempt at a family portrait

the friendly camera man actually caught the girls turning around!

Clara, pausing to enjoy her "rocket fuel"

Backpackers

Zach, providing "rocket fuel"

Molly & Zach

Zach & Clara

Zach, Molly, & Clara studying the map

Molly & Clara, comparing "rocket fuel" (or scheming something fun?)

Molly & Zach at our campsite

We all made it to our campsite!

our beautiful campsite!