Edmund's captain's log, life date 1y9m21d:

Captain's log, life date 1y9m21d:

I think I should be at home getting ready for bed, but I guess I would rather ride in this shopping cart instead.  Apparently they have giant blow up Christmas decorations available already even though they still have the scary Halloween stuff out too. This world is strange sometimes.

It's past my bedtime. Maybe if I don't remind Mom or Dad, they won't put me to bed. I'll just come along for the ride.

What are these round, fluffy, white things? If it's supposed to go in my mouth, why is it quite the mouthful? Well, either way, marshmallows are delectable.

Come on, Mommy; Let's see what Daddy is doing outside. Ooh. Fire. Why won't they let me touch it? Why can't I even get close? What's the big deal with putting your marshmallows on a stick over it? Yum; Daddy has chocolate. Oops, I keep dropping those graham crackers on the ground. At least I didn't need to put my marshmallows on a stick; sometimes they catch fire that way. Brother said he didn't mean to do that.

Mommy, why are you putting all the sleeping bags and stuffed animals on the living room floor? Daddy, where are you taking the couch cushions? Why do you need them under your sleeping bag?

Whew, it's getting late. We finally got ready for bed, but now they want me to lay down in the family room. This room is for playing, especially if you leave all these stuffed animals out and the humidifier within reach. I don't want to lay down out here, I tell you.

Here we are in my bed sweet bed, and Daddy even brought in my animals and my humidifier. Goodnight, World. See you tomorrow.

camping in your living room

Benefits of camping in your living room:

No tent to set up and take down.

No crying kids in the next tent over.

You don't have to make sure to feed your pets before you leave and when you get back or arranging for someone to do it for you.

When your one year old decides he would rather play than lay down with you, even when it's two hours past his regular bedtime, you can put him in his bed so he can fall asleep practically instantly.

The floor isn't as cold and lumpy as the ground.

You can use the restroom without having to unzip the tent, clamber out, and get your shoes on.

You can get changed into your pajamas in your own bedrooms instead of taking turns in a cold, dark, cramped tent.

You can brush your teeth at a real sink instead of a water jug spigot.

When your ten year old keeps wanting to play, you can threaten to send him to his bed if he doesn't lay down.

Dinner List Dilemma

What to do when you are having trouble coming up with dinner ideas.
In our house we make a list of dinners for the week and then make the grocery list for the week so that we usually only have to go shopping once a week. When I sit down to make the list, but run out of ideas, I can...
1. Ask family members what they would like to eat.
2. Consult the list I have made of dinners we frequently eat.
3. Look in the pantry for anything I want to use.
4. Look in the freezer for anything I want to use.
5. See if I have any good coupons to use.
6. Browse a cookbook for new recipes to try.
I'm currently looking for good, healthy, vegetarian recipes, if you have any. We also just planted a garden, which adds another option.
7. See which fresh produce is ready to be harvested and find meals to use it.