Musings of CAM*P Nelson

Our sweet Boy

2008-10-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

This was taken during one of C's soccer games:) With his favorite ball and taking a break from playing his own game on the sidelines.

Wow Time Flies

2008-10-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

I have been diligently carrying my camera to every single one of Max's Parent Participation Classes to get a shot of him and his life this fall; playing with friends, enjoying cooking and stories, playing in the swings and garden - all that good stuff. Suffice it to say, I have no pics - none. AND I felt a need to share anyway. SO...

Max has blossomed in the last year and boy does it show now. He walked up to the gentleman behind us in line at Subway today and said "Excuse me? Hi, this (pointing to decoration on the wall) is a witch. She's scary but it's ok it's for halloween." 1 year ago he would have said nothing, run to my legs and wrapped his arms around my knees so I couldn't move without extracting him and sucked his thumb. Wow!

He's also big into dress up, today he was Santa dropping Clio off at school, yesterday he was a pirate and the day before that he was a King. Mostly it's just hats or accessories that determine this for the world to know but his acting of the part is at full tilt and it is adorable!

He yearns to play soccer "like Clio", and go to New Dawn "like Clio". That said, he also adores "teecher Patisa" and Teecher Julie a ton! He's still big into his cars, and balls... He also likes to sing in the car (at full volume - sooo cute) and rock out. His favorite way of rocking out this month, is listening to the "monster song" which is the song for the Kraaken on the Pirates of the Carribean 2 soundtrack, and he lunges around, snarling, claws drawn and ready to the music. What's funny is when he tries to do this in his car seat.

He has shot up a good bit and looks more and more like a boy than a toddler - which is to be expected but still shocks the heck out of me daily:) AND then there's potty training...

This is probably why there are no shots of him at school yet - he's been potty training since Clio started school. And unlike when Clio potty trained and we could sequester ourselves to the house and drill, praise, drink, eat, pee and poo to her little drum so to speak, we have bee potty training Max while going full tilt with life. So FINALLY we are at the point of 2 days with no accidents! Anywhere. Not at home, not in the car seat, not at soccer or school. Not at New Dawn or friend's houses or even at Grandma's. Nowhere. Now I am not saying we are in the clear, but I can say I have REALLY enjoyed the last 48 hours on that front:) And to all my friends who have been so easy going with this journey I can't thank you enough.

I will get some shots together of Maxito soon to share but I didn't want to wait and miss something in the mean time.

Soccerista

2008-09-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a time-flyin month with school(s) starting and all! So here's a quick post with some shots of our Soccer girl during her first game.

Clio Starts Kindergarten

2008-09-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

Wow, so the day has come - Clio started Kinder today. She is going to a Montessouri school here in Cambria called New Dawn from 9 - 2 Monday - Friday. She was quite excited this morning as well as a bit apprehensive: "Will they like me?" "Will they call me names?" "What will we do today?" With some assurances, a killer ensemble, a good luck charm & a kissing hand she was all smiles when we gave hugs goodbye.

Sounds like a good day albeit a quite one for her: she spent much of the day observing how it all works and who her classmates are. I hear she and Kayla played and worked together much of the day as well as with a girl named Reese. She played with the boys some too and "it was fun."

Once we got home and she relaxed a bit (so a few hours later) she confessed that school wasn't all she thought it would be, she misses me and thought I was sending her away because I didn't love her. Wow. She had a good cry, as did I and we ended up laughing talking about how she had to go to school and that was why she was going, that I loved her very much and that I missed her too, and that if she just hangs in there she may find that some day school will be fun.

She was back to herself after that and we finished up the evening with the dinner of her choice (cheese pizza and ice cream) and her picking out clothes for school tomorrow:) Ah, the roller coaster of life is back at our house;)

Meanwhile Max was stoked to have me all to himself but we burned the candle at both ends and over exhausted him by 12:30 - soccer, playground, beach, trip to Paso a 50's diner for lunch, a sweet shop for a treat, chasing birds in the park and a quick trip to Target. Then we picked Clio up from School. Wow, I think we will take it s

lower tomorrow:) And as much as he loved the 1 on 1 time, he was sure thrilled to see Clio when school was over.

Labor Day - a journey back in time

2008-09-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

For Labor Day, Clio, Max & I joined my Mom and a handful of other volunteers in walking in the Cambria Pinedurado Parade for the Light Station. The Board Member in charge of the period attire purchased late 1800's costumes for both Clio and Max. They had as much fun wearing it as we all did in seeing them in it. It was a hike for little legs but Clio walked the whole 2 1/2 miles, waving and handing out candy with Grandma while Max rode in style in our Radio Flyer and was pulled by Mama and volunteers, waving and smiling the whole way. Needless to say we had a blast!

There is an athlete among us

2008-08-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

Today was Clio's first soccer practice and boy did she love it! Surrounded by friends from the last few years the kids all had a blast (almost as much fun as the mom's did:) It was great to watch them even get a little "game" time in at the end.

The buzz was all about Kinder, who's started, how did they like it as well as just plain fun. The playground next to the practice field is a big hit and was enjoyed before and after practice.

But this team isn't just about work - we look forward to playing too! Talk has already begun amongst the families of some BBQ etc at practice:)

To fun for words...I think the only one somewhat bummed was Max - he didn't get to play with the big kids on the team - but he loved being able to practice on the sidelines for when he can:)

Parent Participation Garden is Ready to plant!

2008-08-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the help of so many families, on Saturday the 23rd, we were able to move the equivalent of about 10 cubic yards of compost into the beds! We also received a donation of stone and built and Cory Paul set quickly to work to create our herbal spiral! It will be next to the ships deck once that is built.

We also received enough stone to create a burm that the kids can walk up to be able to pump the hand pump on the eco well once that burm is built and the well installed. Thank you Hendrix's for the stone and benches!

AND Jenny, Jeannette, Teacher Sally, Teacher Patricia and more helped to dig out our dry river bed - it looks fantastic and ready to receive it's bridge and rock.

With the Preschool starting today and PPP classes starting the week of the 18th, it is wonderful to say that 3 volunteer days over the summer have us ready to plant 1st thing this school year!

Thank you to everyone's support and hard work... and don't worry there's still more fun to be had so keep your eyes and ears out for upcoming solicitations. Happy start of the school year!

[ The pictures with all the wonderful volunteers are coming, I will send them out soon:)]

Clio's 1st Philanthropic Venture

2008-08-12T17:14:00.001-07:00

On Friday, August 8th at the Cambria Farmer's Market, Clio held a Lemonade Stand as part of Sunkist's Take a Stand program. Sunkist mailed us the stand for free provided that Clio sold Lemonade for a charity of her choice. Well when she saw the add for it she instantly thought of the Piedras Blancas Light Station and wanting to help Grandma raise money to restore the site. So that's exactly what she did.

With 7 gallons of lemonade, 1 batch of Liz's killer Sugar Cookies, 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies and a pan of brownies Clio sold away for 3 hours in the wind and sun. She had Max and Mama's constant support to help count out change, taste test the goodies, hold the stand up in the wind or whatever else she needed. Grandma came after work and helped answer questions about the light station and cheer our little volunteer on. She smiled, she got her picture taken for the local paper, she handed out tour info. and Membership brochures and reminded folks who didn't want lemonade that they could still donate to help "save the lighthouse" (lookout Donald Trump!)

And when it was all said and done she raised $83.33! Way to go kiddo!

We are all very proud of her hard work and her success, especially Clio! She was bummed initially that we weren't charging $3 a glass but when she heard her total raised she was ecstatic.

Lookout Kindergarten here she comes:)

At last it looks like a Garden!!!

2008-07-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

So with tons of hard work may I present a Garden that actually looks like a garden now!!!

Here's Clio, Jesse, Roxanne & Max repainting our new-to-us Garden Shed!Here's Teacher Patricia "digging" into our beds.And Teachers Julie, Char and Sally are working on making the Fairy Realm level and ready for our decor.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU (and Jesse's Dad Chris, Grandma Julia and Clio & Pat) for your excellent work!

I encourage all of you to drive by and take a peek at how the garden is unfolding:)

Namaste,

Ang

Today is your birthday...

2008-07-17T10:53:00.001-07:00

And we have had a good time! (ok so I changed it a bit from the Beatles, they'll understand I am sure:) Today Max is 3! So hard to believe on one hand and then we look at the person he is today and it is totally believable. On Saturday we had his party and lots of friends came to help us celebrate. We did the Cars theme because well, Max is still a Lightening McQueen and Mater fanatic:) The party was complete with a race track cake, hot wheels for all and a slip n' slide for all the "racers" to try their speed at. Even the weather and smoke complied with a warm sunny day that didn't smell or look like smoke! We had a great time.

Today we have been playing at home with his gifts and running around;) He gets to see Miss Linda which always makes his day and we will be Skyping with

Gram & Grump later. Finally we will have a nice family dinner before going to the kids' first drive in movie - WALL E! We are all excited.

In a year's time Max has learned how to talk, jump like a rabbit, love more, be a great sharer and friend, use his imaginative play like nobody's business and rock out with or without instruments and voice in a way that would make any rocker proud:)

Happy Birthday Max, our beautiful boy. We feel so blessed to be your family and love you very much!

Hope everyone has a great day!

The CAMP

A little something to do

2008-07-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

Sometime in May, while I was enjoying Clio and Max on the new swings at Parent Participation, I overheard our Teacher talking with some of the mom's about this odd space that was barren. It was created when the swings were erected, a good sized piece of ground but awkwardly shaped and no one had come up with what to do with it. The County offered to concrete it in and the Adult Education program quickly said "NO!" but no new solution had been made.

Well I came up with the idea of an organic garden for kids and exploration zone where kids can experiment wit

h soils, water erosion etc. and have areas where their imagination can play as well. I mean what better way for kids to love gardening than to find the places where their imagination can play too?

So I offered my idea to Teacher Mary who loved it and asked if I would head the project - what could I say? She quickly spoke to the "powers" that be and voila! Our Children's Garden was started. Since then I have been working on getting my "vision" on paper, and soliciting local businesses for donations to off set the cost of the project. Everything has gone so great! I have been enco

uraged and pleasantly surprised at the Yeses I've gotten: Yes a pulley system in the garden sounds great!, Yes we will donate $200 of lumber to you, Yes, we will help build the garden, Yes we will donate all your compost - just let me know how much you need. Wow!

Many families and Teachers are very excited and interested in helping with the garden so I have a weekly enewsletter I send out and and from that grew the idea of a monthly "Garden Raising" where Parent Participation families and our partners can come help install the garden. Last Saturday was the first Raising and it went so well! We got the weeding, grading and wood cut for the raised vegetable beds cut. I am really pleased with how it is all coming together and it is certainly a labor of love.

What can I say but I small step for man, one giant leap for green kind:)

Happy Birthday To You

2008-06-30T12:06:00.001-07:00

Pat, Papa, Patto, Beloved, Son - however you know him we are pleased to announce his 36th Birthday today. Happy Birthday Pat WE LOVE YOU!

When you wish upon a Star...

2008-06-30T11:43:00.001-07:00

2 days after Clio's Sleeping Beauty, CAMP Nelson and Grandma Ogden headed down to the big D to celebrate Grandma's birthday. It's our 3rd year celebrating in Disneyland and we yet again had a great time.

We were able to experience some new attractions this year as well: we found Pooh Corner and rode the Winnie the Pooh ride, we rode on the Columbia,

a large Sail Ship that does a circuit around Huck Finn's island, had lunch with 5 princesses at Ariel's Grotto, helped Buzz Lightyear in Astro Blasters, and the kids got to drive the cars in Autopia (with mom and dad helping of course).

The piece de resistance was at the end of the first night when we were able to see the fireworks. It was thrilling for everyone as they were cancelled last year when we visited due to high winds. I'm not sure what was more amazing to watch - the fireworks or Clio and Max's faces watching the fireworks. They were blown away by the show and I think seeing Tinkerbel

l fly from the Matterhorn across the castle to set a star in the sky for all to wish on helped Clio decide Tink was her favorite this year.

Clio's Dance School Performs Sleeping Beauty

2008-06-30T11:26:00.001-07:00

On Saturday June 21st, Clio's Dance School performed Sleeping Beauty. Not only did they perform it, they danced to live music provided by the SLO Youth Symphony and the Central Coast Children's Choir. AND the kids were between 2 and 16. And it was beautiful!

Clio was a blue princess along with her class of other 5 year old girls. They were given a small dance but also much supportive acting in all the castle scenes: which meant 13 5-year-old girls were participating in the joy of the fairies, the fear cast by Malificent and the sleep induced by the 3 fairies while the Prince smote the Dragon and kissed Sleeping Beauty.

It was good fun and a LOT of hard work. Clio is very proud of herself and is enjoying the well earned rest after all the rehearsals. We all are quite proud of her as well.

Number 9...Number 9...

2008-06-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

That's right 9 years ago, I walked down the isle of Mt. Olivet Church to the most amazing man to ever enter my life - Pat. So we decided, kinda last minute, to renew our vows this year!

Pta, Clio, Max & I went to a cove about 20 minutes north of us and in front of each other, the Pacific Ocean, the seagulls and the sun, we to

ok our rings off renewed our vows and commitment, replaced the rings, threw flowers into the ocean and toasted to the life we've had and the life we will!

Max stood as Son, Best little Guy & Ring bearer in his Easter best while Clio stood as Daughter, Maid of Honor & Flower Girl in a sweet white dress with flowers in her hair. While on the beach we couldn't help but have some beach fun too, including, digging in the sand, hunting for rocks, chasing the gulls and sand angels. It was a beautiful evening and while the wind was a bit chilly we all agreed it was well worth it.

So here's to our lives who are very alive and in love with each other:)

The close of the "Preschool" Chapter

2008-06-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, we went to Parent Participation for the last official time for Clio. We had fun as always and both Clio and I felt the bittersweetness of the end of class. Clio has enjoyed 3 years in this program, and met her closest friends here (I've met some amazing friends here too).

This year we had a "new- to-us" teacher - Teacher Mary. We knew from her reputation and the high praise of close friends

what a great teacher she was and knew we were fortunate to have her for our class. Now at the end of the year I know just how much so. Each teacher we have had over the 3 years brings so much to the table, Teacher Patricia her compassion, experimentation, her knowledge, and Teacher Mary her love of letting things happen, trust in the relationships of children to their parents, and with both the deep contagious

LOVE they have for everyone in their class, past and present. Thank you ladies for the environment to learn you've given my daughter - what gifts!

Clio became more and more aware of the fact that this was her last official class as the time drew on. By the end of class she was still very excited to be with her friends and doing her favorite part of the

class - the hug and let go song. Yes, it's a tearjerker to see all these adorable kids hugging each other to the tune of "I think you're wonderful..." This day it was particularly so for Clio and I. By the time we got to the car, CLio was very quiet and finally asked if she could do Kinder here... When I explained no but that with the garden construction we would be around this summer before she starts Kinder in the fall. She quietly cried for a few minutes and then announced "she had it! She had the solution! If Teacher Mary couldn't teach at her kids' school next year, maybe she'd come to Cambria to teach at New Dawn - it's about the same drive just the

other direction:)!" My turn to tear up - we'll see is all I could say.

Max and I will be enrolled in the fall in the same class with Teacher Patricia and a 2nd class called Raising a Reader with Teacher Julie, we are very excited about it and the garden project that will be a buzz this summer with our friends and the teachers in the Program, but it will be a new adventure to go without Miss Clio except for on her school holidays.

Fun with the mail (And a little help from YouTube

2008-06-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

So we got another package from our dear friend Mary in the mail today. And in it was a saree for me! Now, this is the second oh so cool addition to my wardrobe and the reason this one is the first I've worn since I was about 6 is because it has a top (the other one I still need to make the top).

So Clio and I played dress up in our Indian Garb. The trick was I needed to learn how to put on a saree which is a 5 meter long piece of cloth! So thanks to YouTube and a funny clip on how to put one on a ta da! Well at least I have it on and it's not falling off yet. Not to bad in my book for a first try.

The Outfit Clio is wearing and the pants Max is wearing came from a care package Mary sent a few months ago, but seemed fun to post together.

Shanti,

Ang

Some fun in the Sun

2008-05-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday had a slow start, for the kids and I anyway. And it ended with a spontaneous trip to the playground in Cambria, Shamel park. I realized I haven't been toting the camera with me lately so I thought I'd get some shots.

Clio in her first tree (that she remembers) and Max swing big. The afternoon was beautiful and the kids pretended to be everything from monkeys, to cars, tree whisperers to gymnasts. We had good fun. Began our time there scoping out the pool for the summer, plans on which ball to bring next time for soccer "practice" and finding shapes in the waves.

Today was full. Gymnastics, a library visit (the kids LOVE it there) and going to the Central Coast Children's Choir rehearsal as they will be performing in the upcoming Sleeping Beauty show with Clio's dance school. I was quite impressed with the dozen or so girls and look forward to their participation.

Now Papa's home and we are getting ready for an evening of family time!! Woo hoo!

Hope all of you have a wonderful evening.

What about this?

2008-05-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Many moons ago, when CAMP Nelson went on the road, we sent out a regular email update to our loved ones to keep in touch no matter where we were. I am noticing that it's getting trickier to keep connected with everyone as time seems to be flying by so I thought we'd try an updated version of the email update - the BLOG site. While this is mostly a venue for us to talk, write, show you pics etc., I do hope that you will all feel welcomed to share with us what's shakin' with you too! It's so much more satisfying that way...

We've spent the weekend working on Max's 1st attempt at potty training. He's interested and did pretty well but can't quite get all the pieces to click into place so we will just try again another time.

Clio's Dance School is going to start the month of rehearsals for their big production of the year, Sleeping Beauty, so the rest of the weekend was spent enjoying the irregular warm weather and some downtime at home.

Pat's work is progressing nicely. He's gaining more and more work locally so while still working amazing hours, he gets to come home just about every night! As you can imagine we are all thrilled with that.

I'm getting excited about the summer and just finished figuring out an idea of what we will be up to. Beach days, sports days, pool days, and time with friends and music every week. Plus 2 big trips, Disneyland in June and SolFest in August. And of course the myriad of birthday celebrations not the least of which is Max turning 3 in July and Pat turning 36 in June?! I want to keep things loose as it's Clio's last summer before Kindergarten! Wow.

So with that I hope all of you enjoy your day and join us in relaxing into the week and enjoying what each of us have around us.

Namaste

Musings of C*A*M*P Nelson