Feeding and Splashing

I was so thankful to the big kids for allowing me to sleep during Michael's nap time yesterday. They played so nicely together and helped clean up the playroom. As a reward, we went to feed the ducks in a local stream.

Afterward, we tried to make it to the library, but it unfortunately it was closed. So I allowed the children to frolic in the water at the sprinkler park.

They weren't exactly dressed for it, but that didn't stop them from having fun.

It's Not All About Our Political Views or Diaper Bags

Kelly and I have been friends since eighth grade. We had sleep-overs at each other's homes, sang loudly (and off key) to our favorite hits of the 80's, tore pictures out of fashion magazines, rode our bikes to the local mini-mart for blue raspberry slushies, and shared our secrets. Her family took me camping with them. We were roommates for a while after high school and have been in one another's weddings. She loves fashion, make up, shoes, and purses. I love the out doors, triathlons, and getting dirty at the beach. Our political views and diaper bags are completely different. I love that we can laugh about it and appreciate each other in spite of our differences. I absolutely love her.

1987Her diaper bagMineKelly and her sweet little Mabel visited yesterday.

It was fun to see Mabel and Michael interact.

Kelly is also a beautician. While she was here, she gave the girls in our family a new look.

Thanks, Kell for a fun afternoon and the cute haircuts.

Hands-On Homeschool at the Beach

The day after I returned from Ladies Weekend was an extraordinarily warm day. We decided to take it off from classroom activities to do some hands-on learning and family bonding at the beach.Mikey practices hand-eye coordination as he fills his bucket with sand.Future city planner? Harrison clears away the sand for his "roads and rivers."Brotherly bonding

Kennedy works up her heart rate as she rollerblades along the paved beach path.

We are so proud of Jackson. Last month he learned to ride a bike without training wheels. Here he gets in some physical fitness and problem solving skills as he learns to dodge the pedestrians.

Never too young to learn. Dad found the perfect stick to practice the kids' swing as they slammed rocks into the water.

A little math, science, and physical fitness going on here. The boys predicted that when they poured the water in to the pit, it would fill up. They were surprised and a little disappointed when instead the water sunk below and they had to return to the beach to refill their bucket.

It was a perfect day with our family in the sun. We came home and barbecued while the children played in the yard. They were dirty and tuckered out by bath/bed time. I am so glad we have the flexibility to take our kiddos to the beach during the day and not have to wait for the school bus to drop them off before we can begin our adventures.

7th Annual Ladies Weekend

Last weekend marked the seventh year that I was able to get away with my lovely sisters-in-laws for a weekend of adventure and relaxation. We jumped a ferry to the San Juan Islands on Friday afternoon and didn't return until later Sunday evening.Saturday morning we drove out to a lighthouse and walked along the path looking for orcas.

Our next stop was an alpaca farm on rolling green acres. The creatures are so curious; with their teddy bear faces and long necks.

We drove to Roche Harbor for lunch on the pier. It is a quaint little town worth another visit.

We enjoyed a local sculpture park. I felt a small connection with the above masterpiece.

My sisters-in-law are an amazing bunch. We are like pieces of a mosaic; so different, yet we fit perfectly together.

We took a short hike up to this grand mausoleum. It was built in honor of one of the founding families on the island. There is a stone table in the center with seven chairs, representing each member of the family. But an empty space remains where one child's chair was left out. It is rumored that that particular child married outside the Methodist faith and was therefor no longer considered part of the family.

Sunday morning we walked along this beautiful beach lined with driftwood, listening to the sea otters on a neighboring island. It was so peaceful and relaxing.

On the way home we decided to stop off in Mount Vernon to visit the daffodil fields. Yes, aren't they lovely?

As it turned out, the daffodil stop was not worth the above photos. We were all ready to get home, but the one lane road that lead back to the freeway was backed up for miles. We spent at least an extra forty minutes inching along at just a couple miles an hour. Jen and Heidi got out and walked for a ways and met back up with us near the end of the line.

Looking back over the last seven years, I think this was my favorite ladies weekend. I was so in need of a break and this weekend came at just the right time. It was relaxing and encouraging. Beautiful. When I returned, my wonderful husband and precious children never looked so good. They were outside playing in the yard, happy and glad to see me. They had planted a cute little flower garden while I was away and my home was filled with notes and cards from them telling me that I was missed and loved. I know that I returned a better wife and mother because of the break. Ahhhhhh! Ladies Weekend. Thanks to the Dads who made it possible.

Easter Activities

This year we went to the Saturday night Easter Service. Our pastor shared a beautiful message about the Lamb of God. I love Easter time. Each year I go through a set of Resurrection eggs with the children. Starting with Palm Sunday, the children open up a plastic egg with small treasures that represent what Jesus was doing on that particular day of Holy week while we read corresponding scriptures.

The children enjoyed opening packages from Grandpa Randy and Gramma Maureen.

It seems we have an anonymous egg donor. This was the second year that our children awoke to plastic eggs scatter about our yard. The children (and parents) were surprised at the sight. Quickly they put their boots on over their jammies and ran out to collect the brightly colored treasures.

To be fair, they then pooled the eggs together and took turns picking one at a time until they were evenly distributed.

The children found money and treats inside. Jack was thrilled to collect over three dollars!

We sent the children on a scavenger hunt for their baskets. Each child was given a clue and sent into a particular room to look for their surprise. If it wasn't found, they came back for another clue until it was finally located.

I think that next year we may save the baskets and hide them on the first day of spring or May Day. The basket tradition is fun, but takes away from what we are truly celebrating.

We had a delicious low country boil with Ken's family. It was a fun switch from the traditional Easter dinner.

We made Resurrection rolls with some of the children. It is a simple way to tell the story of Easter. You take a marshmallow (representing Jesus), dip it in butter and a cinnamon/sugar mixture (representing the oil and spice that were used to anoint Jesus), then pinch it up in a crescent wrapper (to represent Jesus' shroud). They are placed in a 400 degree oven (empty tomb) to bake 15 minutes. Some of the children stood like soldiers to guard the tomb and make sure that the disciples didn't come steal the body.

The end result is a delicious pastry puff in which the children discovered that Jesus (the marshmallow) is gone. He is risen!

Mikey had a power nap through many of the Easter activities at Grammy and Pappa's house. When he finally awoke, Jackson was glad to help him look for his treats.