As most would know, Jaxon and I have just returned from our first camping trip to the Murray River with my Dad. I have many many stories and photo’s to share with you, so many that it might just have to be over a few posts.

I’ll start first with two choice moments which I found amusing as I watched my little boy grow up a little bit more.

First of all was the day he and I sat in the car killing time. With me in the passenger seat and Jaxon in the driver’s seat. He loves being in the car. Normally he fiddles with knobs and pushes buttons (and let’s not forget putting coins in the CD player, which he’s done twice now. Currently…we have a $2 coin stopping our CD’s from working) and climbing from front to back.

But this day was different. This day, Jaxon sat there and instructed me to put my seat belt on. When it appeared that I might be having trouble remembering how to buckle myself in he lent over and gave me a hand. Then of course, since he couldn’t reach his own seat belt he instructed me to help him buckle himself in.

Once that was all sorted out Jaxon casually sat back, put both hands on the steering wheel, looked over my way and said two words.

“Keys Mum”

To which I replied “You’re a funny little boy Jaxon”

Now since I haven’t bothered to blog since we’ve moved in to the new house there’s a bit of back ground to this one.

Once we had all of our furniture Jaxon very quickly settled in. He wondered around and knew instantly that this was home and this was his turf. When I was unpacking the pantry (or food press as Tim and I affectionately call it) Jaxon came across a little tin of cat food. I think at that point it occurred to him that something very important was missing from his home. Mexxi, Dude and Dookie. So Jaxon wondered around for quite some time calling for them and asking “Where’s Dookie Mum? Where’s Dude??” I told him they were with Grandpa (whom he call’s paw paw) which he seemed to understand.

Once we arrived up at the river and met Dad, Dookie and Mexxi both jumped out of the car. Jaxon immediately asked “Where’s Dude?” so I told him that I thought Dude might be up a tree. Later that night, when we called Daddy to say good night Jaxon was chatting away to him about all the things we’d been doing. We’d seen Kookaburra’s and there was a fire and lot’s of water and then he tell’s Daddy that “Dudes up tree”

Camping with Jaxon, alone and without Daddy was surprisingly good. I had been stressed about the thought of constantly having to monitor Jaxon’s movements to make sure he wasn’t out playing with snakes or trying to swim in the Murray. To anyone that doesn’t know the Murray river, it look’s completely harmless and safe but in actual fact it’s very dangerous with strong undercurrents and drifts to pull you under. But once the first night and a small portion of the first day were over with Jaxon seemed well aware of the fact that he wasn’t allowed to touch the water (or fire) and was happy just to stand on the banks and throw sticks in to watch them floating off. I thoroughly enjoyed our five days away and was a little sad that Tim wasn’t there to share it with us.

But there’s always next year!