camping natural

For Daddy’s birthday, we went with some friends and their families to Bells Bend to camp overnight. We made Daddy a chocolate cake with fudge frosting that morning while he slept in. You went crazy with sprinkles, of course.

It took us all morning to pack, but the campsite was just a short drive away, and we arrived around 2. There were about 10 kids of all different ages and several who were three like you. Margaret, a fellow three-year-old, took to you quickly, and you played easily and hard.  As we began to set up the tent, Daddy and I realized we had left the tent poles out of the bag. While Daddy headed home for them, you and I went on a short hike with the group. I think you appreciated the space to run wild!

After lots of play, hotdogs, s’mores, banana boats, birthday cake and glow sticks, you were eager to hop into your new, orange, big-boy sleeping bag. You wiggled your way out a couple of times, but by-and-large, stayed in and snug all night.

a glimpse of greece

Our family trip to Greece was just as it should be: good time with family that included healthy amounts of sunshine, islands, fresh food, beer and wine, ferry rides, relaxation and perfectly clear waters. You were spoiled just the right amount by Yia-yia, Papou and Chris. Your own cup of chocolate ice cream after every meal was but one such example. You were a trooper and once again, an amazing traveler. You were relatively unfazed by the 10+ hour flight over; you fell asleep in your carseat, and we moved you to a pallette on the floor after about an hour where you slept for another 4.5 hours.

I was really surprised by how well you adjusted to the time change but even more impressed by how you adapted to the dramatic cultural differences also involving time. We very quickly had you on a typical Greek schedule: we got up around 9:30 or 10am, ate breakfast, played, ate lunch and then had you down for a nap around 4 or 4:30. We woke from our naps around 7:30 and stayed out having dinner (and ice cream, of course) and walking around until around midnight, when we finally got you into bed. You were exhausted a good bit of the time and intolerant of the Greek tendencies to linger in outdoor tavernas, eating and drinking for 3+ hours, but aside from that, you were quite a joy to travel with. I have a feeling we’ve started a family tradition.

visiting the motherland

captions:

carrying your own weight: At the last minute, Daddy wanted to get you a tether, one of those baby leashes, so he could feel confident in the crowded airport. You loved the backpack part of it; I filled it with some of your toys and Sleepy. But you flat-out refused the tether. My boy loves his freedom! My assessment stands: leashes teach you to run away, not to be alert and stay close to those who love you.
delta socks: You loved your business class goodies.
warm washcloth: The warm, wet washcloths before meals reminded you of how Mammy washes your face after a meal at her house, and that’s what you chanted the whole time—”Mammy. Mammy. Mammy.”
headphones: You were fascinated by the headphones, even without any sound coming through them. When I plugged in it to some in-flight cartoons and nursery rhymes, you kept taking them off, as if you were afraid you’d miss something going on in real-time.

koulourakia breakfast: and milk… just like the locals in your fancy taverna chair Yia-Yia and Papou got you.
Mythos milk: We filled an empty Mythos beer bottle with milk for you to try. (We are bad parents…) You drink out of a bottle like this very well; Daddy taught you how to position your lips to start and stop the flow. I had nightmarish visions of you as a college student.

We are five days into our two weeks in Greece, and though you seem to be more regularly exhibiting signs of your two-ness, all-in-all you have done remarkably well. We almost always have to wake you, whether from a nap in the afternoon or in the morning, so I have to imagine some of the crankiness is due to compounded, mild sleep deprivation. You’ve been a trooper with the time adjustment and pretty much sleep hard whenever we put you down in the new pack-n-play Yia-Yia and Papou found for you.

first ferry: Your first Greek ferry ride to Evvia. You were fascinated at being on a boat, but you wanted a little more freedom than we could give you on a Greek ferry that is not so child-proof.
sunset: along the water in Edipsos with Momma, Daddy and Yia-Yia
sunset: along the water in Edipsos with Yia-Yia and Papou

pebble beach: You loved the pebble beach at Edipsos, and to satisfy your need to see things go plop in the water while not letting you throw the rocks, you responded very well to holding them up and dropping them. This was at least 15-minutes of entertainment.

We have spent the last three days on Evvia in Edipsos, a small coastal town with ancient thermal baths and a charm that comes from being a tourist spot mostly for Greeks. You have really enjoyed playing in the water and watching the boats, and the Greeks are trying to eat you with a spoon. They have no qualms about tickling you, pinching you, and generally getting in your space. You scrunch your nose up and whine “nooooo” anytime someone approaches like they’re going to poke at you. And you flat-out refuse to speak a word of Greek. I respect your insistence on personal space; I wish I had demanded more of that when I was pregnant with you. (What kind of stranger touches a woman’s belly? Really?!?!)

schows!: We borrowed a portable DVD player from a friend just in case we needed something else to entertain you. You watched it once in the hotel room in Edipsos, once on the flight over and once on a very long road trip back to Athens. Other than that, we forgot to recharge it, and you did okay without it too. It was a nice treat for you and a tidbit from home. I didn’t realize how much you’d miss some of the things that make up the routine of your day. I think what you missed most were your books; we read at least twice a day at home. I quoted a part of Llama, Llama Mad at Mama, and you demanded that I tell you more. I couldn’t remember much more of it though. I thought of this trick once I got back and wish it had occurred to me before we left for two weeks: I have since recorded some of your favorite stories on the voice recorder on my phone. Now I think of that bright idea!

Your dad and I feel pretty sure you are loving the beaches, the food and being spoiled by your grandparents.