I am Embarrassed for this Boy

He’s a solid 8 years old, but for maximum enjoyment, still sucks his fingers and pulls up the nearest shirt so he can go check-to-skin.  I did love sucking my thumb while caressing the satin edging of Blankey, but Wesley….  Well, I’m praying for a tolerant wife for that future man.

Me & 3 “Camping”

The ducklings were eager to go camping as soon as school was out.  A nearby park had a one-night opening at a cute little cabin, so I grabbed it.  Um, in spite of the rain in the forecast.  Again, a cabin instead of a tent.

 

So, so cute. The outlets and electric lights were particularly adorable, as were the mattresses and table.

Of course, it looked like this before we had even finished unpacking the car. Thanks, Wes.

It didn’t look like this again until we packed up the next day.

We only camped from about 4pm to 11am the next morning, and when we got home (in the rain), the kids all ran inside with their tablets.  Not one thought about unloading the car, until I excitedly gathered them all together that evening and let them report to Daddy how much each helped Mama that day.  When they realized all the unloading, unpacking, washing, repacking was done by Mama, they also realized that would probably the only camping trip this summer.

Well spotted, ducklings.

We Do the Zoo!

We  hadn’t been to the zoo for 11 months, and our return was quite pleasant.  We saw almost every animal, and most were out posing…their butts.

The ones that weren’t posing had their pictures up and my kids did the posing.

Piper was particularly interesting in looking the part.

New to us this time was a most gorgeous Butterfly Garden.

Wesley explored adorably. Or confusedly.  Your call.

I’m coveting this t-shirt.  Go positive body image!

Mighty Thor

Wesley should try smashing rocks with this hammer!

He is always inventing something.

Kyla’s 5th Grade Ceremony

Kyla’s graduation marked the last time I’ll have all the kids in the same school until Kyla’s senior year.  But I was able to get a sub (for my own sub self) that morning, and be part of her day!

My parents joined Kyla and I for lunch out.  And then she felt very grown up when I sent her to the movie theater by herself (okay, it was just a block away), to meet friends for a matinee.  At just 11 1/2, she seems really grown up to me!

Piper’s next….

Piper Presents…

I had the honor and task of taking Wesley’s 2nd grade class for the last two weeks of school, while his excellent teacher was in Kenya.  We were covering Living Things in science, and had a section on animal habitats.  Science should be hands-on when possible, so Piper and I brought in Art Gecko for the day.  Piper is actually very shy, and would rather forgo a much anticipated playdate than make a phone call and, gulp, have to talk to someone.  We’re working on this, and her teacher readily gave her permission to miss about 45 minutes of class so that she could give 15 minute presentations to the 3 2nd grade classes.  She did an excellent job—she introduced them to Art, and talked about what he needed to survive as a desert animal. Knowing her subject well, and speaking to younger kids, many that she knew and knew her, made it much easier for her.  I was so proud!  And I love that I am often in a position that I can manage extra experiences for my kids.

Fathers Day

I’m not great at coming up with good ideas for celebrations, so I just asked Dwayne what he wanted to do for Fathers Day.  He came up with a lake cruise, and we found one leaving out of Kirkland and were able to get tickets for the five of us and my parents. What a perfect day! 

It was one of our first hot days of the season, so no better time to enjoy the Northwest views!

If it wasn’t cold or difficult, I’d love to take up kite-surfing like this guy.

And I’m not sure why I don’t a castle yet.  They seem to be available.

This man is a great man and excellent father.  (A terrible mother, but that’s why I’m around.)

Piper Being Kind Cute

Piper, who has started calling Dwayne “Papa” to be annoyingly adorable (do middle children have to stand out?), loves to have her picture taken.  And, also annoying, she’s naturally photogenic.  Sorry, I can’t help myself.

Wesley Learns a Lesson

I found the knife not in the knife block, not in the kitchen, but somewhere on the floor where we do not usually store sharp, expensive knives.

 

I took a closer look and called Wesley to explain. 

He was using it to look for geodes…by smashing them with this knife.  (He’d always smash rocks with a hammer before.)

Luckily, he had the $50 to buy us a new one.  He admitted it probably helped him remember the lesson. 

Super Wesley

Oh, the Pure Joy

Look Who Came for Breakfast!

My nieces, that’s who!  (They brought their parents, too.)

Amber gave her parents a break and ran off with her older cousins, and beautiful Taryn let Dwayne and I cuddle and drool over her.

A good time was had by all!