Keeping Local

We really wanted to head up to Sucia Island this past weekend. To us, that spot is the definition of summer in the northwest on the boat. But Reed can be quite a handful, even though he really is the best, most jovial baby. Plus, we still have a ton of house projects and Eben is leaving in two weeks for a three-month deployment. So - we ended up skipping Sucia and staying local. We worked really hard on the house each morning and ventured out each afternoon and evening. Friday we spent on Lake Washington - a first for the kids. They really liked jumping off the boat and playing in the tube we towed for them. Eben rigged a sweet sun shade for me and Reed to play under. We are now one mile from the Lake and I imagine we'll be spending a lot more time here.

 

 

 

On both Saturday and Sunday we headed to Jetty Island with Chris and Meg and their kids and also Matt and Lisa. What an amazing time both days. We also extreme high and low tides that made for some really interesting conditions.

We have never been able to jump off this log before - but the high tide made that possible.

The guys went swimming Saturday and tubing Sunday.

Reed did great both days. But you have to keep an eye on him or he'll start eating sand!

Edison's Birthday Party

Edison is now six-years-old. I wholeheartedly agree with A.A. Milne's poem about this age.

"Now We Are Six"

When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six
now and forever.

Edison wanted a big party with his friends with lots of games - and water play - and prizes - and candy - and a Star Wars cake - and ice cream - and fireworks - and Legos - and Doritos...... Perfect opportunity to teach wants and needs and the fact that you can't always get what you want - even on your birthday, sadly. Anyway, I did my best to give him a great birthday party with most of what he wanted. The Slip 'n' Slide was a huge hit. This was also our housewarming party and we had a blast, too!

 Reed got to bond with cousin Evie, who - at Charlotte's birthday couldn't even sit by herself and now she is crawling. Reed is slightly jealous - I might be too, but having a baby just sit on a blanket in a park during the summer months is pretty awesome.

 Miss Janine came to the party. Edison was actually excited about it despite the face he is showing at this moment. She brought Charlotte nail polish which was a huge hit.

 They were out of Star Wars cake decorating kits at QFC. Darn! But they did have Angry Birds which still pleased Edison. Here he is surrounded by his two good friends, Dillon and Liam.

Independence Day on the Water

We celebrated Independence Day on the waterfront in Everett with Chris and Meg. We used their sailboat as a home base and took the Whaler to Jetty Island so the kids could play and we could relax in the beach chairs.

 In late afternoon a front came in with breezy weather and some drizzle. So we hunkered down on the boat until it finally cleared after dinner.

 

After dinner we had sparklers for the kids and then went for a stroll along the waterfront at sunset.

 

 

 

Getting ready to watch fireworks off the stern of the sailboat.  The reflections were really cool in the still harbor.

 

 

All the kids got to sleep together in the main room - so cute.

 
  

JULY - Edison's Birthday

We kicked off the week by starting some of the smaller house projects. The kids helped me spray paint their table and chairs to a fresh-feeling turquoise color. Then they relaxed in the sprinkler.

 

 

 

 On his birthday, we began the day in the kitchen, making Edison's cake. He read all the directions on the box and the kids made the cake, followed by the cream cheese frosting. Since we halved the recipe for the frosting, there were many opportunities for discussing fractions and measurements.

We took our boat out to Jetty Island for the afternoon of his birthday and it was our first beach day of the year. 

 It was also Reed's first time ever on the beach. He enjoyed sitting in the sand and playing with it. He only ate a little bit which was a relief. I think we might have a beach baby in the making!

We headed home to decorate the cake and for dinner and a small birthday celebration with Nana. Edison picked out sprinkles and added food coloring to the frosting to make it his favorite color: orange.

 

Nana found a great children's dictionary and beginner chapter book for Edison.

The look of pure joy - unwrapping presents!

 At last! The green light saber! They don't even make these anymore. Mom had to find a vintage 80s version through Amazon.

 Our little Jedis.

 Edison also got a giant X-Wing Fighter Lego set. He spent the whole next day constructing it. It said it was for ages 8-12. He did a pretty good job building it, only having to go back and correct errors a few times. Afterwards, he said "it should say 6 and up." But I complimented him on his total focus to building it (he wouldn't even stop to eat lunch) and said he was actually acting like a mature 8-year-old.

  

Reed kept Edison company during the process.

School's Out for Summer!

We kicked off summer vacation by moving into our new house! We actually haven't closed yet (supposed to happen this week) but are doing a pre-rental. That really helps with this process as Eben is deploying for several months starting in mid-July. Reed loves roaming around the great room hardwoods in his walker and bathing in the kitchen sink - I think he is settling in just fine. The rest of us have a little more unpacking, organizing, and adjusting to do.

 We took a much needed break from the moving insanity to spend a weekend at the cabin with Kim, Dave and their kids: Lily and Tavis. Dave took me and some of his buddies rafting on the Wenatchee on Saturday morning while Eben watched the kids. That afternoon, Eben and Matt went down the river with Dave, but in kayaks. This was Eben's first whitewater kayaking trip since his near death experience on the Chiwawa River eight years ago. He said it felt great to get back out there and he only had to swim once... :-)

 Meanwhile, the kids had a blast playing in the water and hanging out. Lily and Charlotte got along magnificently and Dave kept the kids entertained by throwing large rocks in the river.