Sailing Camp

Last year she didn't want to go.  What she wanted out of sailing was... that we would do everything and she would just sit back and take in the scenery, or read a book.  

Well, after our shakedown last winter she changed her mind.  She wanted to learn.  She wanted to know everything she could about how Airabess worked, and why?  Always with the questions... and finally she wanted to get her hands dirty~ she was ready to DO something.  

She was a little nervous the first day.  But, by the end of that first day... she was stoked.  It didn't hurt that some of her friends were also attending the same week. 

My girl, who never sleeps and never has, passed out by 8:30 because she was so exhausted.  But she loved it.  For the first time ever she wasn't fighting bedtime.  She made no excuses.  She wanted to go to sleep so that tomorrow would come. 

 

 With her buddy John.

 

 Now we are all even more excited to get back to our boat.  Bring on the adventures!

Galley Queen

I have taken over the galley. It is my space and domain. Which is ironic because Hubs is the chef. But, I have taken ownership of it and I am pretty stoked about it.

The common term 'galley slave' just doesn't do it for me... or my Coco. It wasn't nice enough she said. So, she coined 'Galley Queen'. Which I kind of like, as it is my realm.

Located in the center of the starboard side hull; it's a pretty small space, which is perfect for me... as I am pretty small.

I have (almost) mastered the tiny stove top and am currently learning my way around the oven... which is nothing like the plugged in version at home. Tomorrow I attempt scones. Fingers crossed.

The forecast is supposed to be cold and rainy again... so what better opportunity to heat up the cabin with my experiments.

I read a ton about provisioning before we moved aboard~ and almost all of emphasized that even though prepping and cooking will have to be tweaked, tastes don't change.

Therefore, Coco is still going to be a cheese and cracker kind of girl, and Hubs and I still will want the decadence we have become so accustomed to ;). And I, of course, will want red wine. I am also pretty confident that there will be a lot of coffee in our future as well. 

Sailor Dog

We are dog people.  Coco desperately wants a dog.  But, we have put off bringing another into our home because we didn't think we could handle it while adjusting to boat life.  

Coco has been making lists of dog names since last year.  She is prepared to wait, but she wants to be ready.  

So, on Father's Day,  Hubs thinks it's a good idea to get a fish... because that's exactly like having a dog.  You can totally play with a fish, snuggle with it, take it with you on big adventures....

Oh, my Hubs.  

After going to a couple of pet stores and looking at the oh' so playful fish... we nixed that idea.   Fish are cool.  And when we do start cruising we will take a page from the Osprey's book and have a tank that we can fill (and empty) daily.  For now, we are going to skip it.

That brings me to the title of today's blog...

After pet stores, and lists of dog names, an only child who needs a bud, fish patrols,  and a dog family with no dog... we realized that we were being kind of silly.  Why shouldn't we get a puppy now?  We could and would totally train it (along with us) from the beginning.  She could go everywhere with us.   Not only would she, but we wouldn't know any different.

So, we got a puppy. 

Her name is Willow.  She is a rescue dog.  They TOLD us she was a cocker spaniel mix... 
They were full of it.  There is now way she is a cocker spaniel.  Willow, even the vet says, is most likely a lab/ rottweiler mix.  Which is totally fine with us.  They expect her to be at least 40-50 pounds.  That might intimidate some people... but our last dog was 200  pounds~ size is relative. 

We are all completely in love.  

And.... we have already taken her to Airabess.  She did fantastic.  A little nervous at first, but she is figuring it out... and so are we.

Nice to meet you.

August was upon us, and Coco was starting pre-k.  As a side note, we are now a full on home schooling family.  At the time we were just planning on it.  We decided it would be good for her to attend VPK.  So we did.  But not without reservations.

Any one who knows me, understands that I am a lot crazy when it comes to my kid.  I am overprotective, but I also have super high standards.  I am a little freakish about what she is exposed to and by whom.  There are lots of reasons why.  But it doesn't really matter.  It is what it is. 

So, finding a school with like-minded philosophies was really important to us. 

We had the great luck, good fortune... whatever,  but the perfect place opened up a few miles from our house.

It was the first time I ever took Coco anywhere and just left her.  It was so weird.  She loved it.  She thrived there.  She learned, she grew, and she was becoming such a person.

Pre-school really has nothing to do with Airabess.  But it does.  Because our very (at the beginning of school) shy girl was opening up to herself and others.

It was how we came to know our first boat people.  Coco introduced us.  Which means she was sharing her excitement about our future in the way a 5-year-old knows how.  Talking incessantly about it to everyone. 

FYI- if you don't want anyone to know something... definitely don't tell a 5-year-old.

At pick-up one day,  my now very good friend, told me Coco had told her about our boat.  I wish I could have seen my face.  It wasn't a secret.  But I didn't really know many of the moms at the school, so I hadn't really exchanged any personal details. 

That was about to change.  Because the person that Coco shared with... had been a cruiser and her husband was building a new boat for their family.  Seriously?! 

Now I actually had someone to talk to.  A friend with kids, who knew the ins and outs, someone with real perspective.   Jackpot. 

And that was just the beginning of our kiddo leading the way...

Thanks Coco.