Super Sunny Sunday

Another fantastic weekend here in the Northwest. The only glitch?  We've got a somewhat sick three year old.  Yesterday was Stefan's birthday and, while we made it out for a nice brunch, Kerry's mood/health took a turn for the worst and unfortunately, our plans went out the window.  Lucky for us, we got not just one nice weekend day but TWO!  So, we were ready today to pack in some sunshine!

First stop:  Zuanich Point Park -- an old favorite.  Actually, we always forget about this one.  Jenica doesn't even remember the last time she was here.  And I don't think Kerry was even walking at that point.   So, wow!  A NEW playground to explore!

This is also the first time Jenica has been able to zoom around here on her bike.  A great spot to ride if you get there early enough.  When we were leaving, it was getting pretty crowded...

This is a really nice place for a walk too.

Next stop:  lunch break.  Yum!

Last stop:  Home to the "hobby farm"  :)  

Yard work can be fun...

Especially if you are dressed as a "Super Royal Queen Girl"

Really... we're here to help...

:)

Go Fly a Kite!

Grey and blustery day -- not too cold but windy.   And lucky for us, that spells:  KITES! 

It's cheap, it's easy...

We can do it in our "backyard"... and it's...

So darn much fun!

The air felt great.

The kids worked together.

And, until this one...

got away from her...

we all had a great time.

I love living here.

:)

Yes, No, Yes, No...

Teeth that need fixin'

I'm struggling right now.  I'm in a place as a parent for which I was not properly prepared.  (Well, really, I was not prepared for any of it, but that's beside the point).

Kerry's teeth are deteriorating and need to be fixed.  We FINALLY had a new date for her to undergo dental surgery -- Feb 12th.  Whooosh -- it was going to be FAST.  Get them all done in one day.  Yes!

HOWEVER.

Yesterday, at her physical that she is required to have prior to surgery (which she's already done one other time), we saw a new, very nice (very young) pediatrician who happened to ask me, "So, does anyone in your family have any blood/bleeding disorders?"  Well, yes, now that I think of it: Kerry's sister!  Ahhh, yes, the von Willebrand's disease rears it's ugly head!

So!  Too bad we didn't think to talk about this BEFORE because NOW Kerry needs to undergo all the testing for von Willebrand's before they will fix her teeth. 

Oh my.

This means -- no dental surgery on the 12th.  This means Kerry's teeth will be fixed ????? 

Oh my.
Oh my.

Joy and Abandon: On Being Ballerina Horses

We have a huge field next to our house.  It's part of the five acres here; the part that we never use. 

Its hay is baled in the summer.  Then it sits idle, waiting for the rain.

I'm sure it's full of mice and other little critters.  Some dead, maybe.

But yesterday, it was full of life.  And dance.  And laughter.

Northwest Beach Walk

January -- the perfect time for a beach walk...

or watch some birds...

or hunt for treasure.

There are very rocky beaches in this part of the world.  But I think they are so pretty.  And they make for the best treasure hunts.

Just getting out...

feels great! 

There's just so much natural beauty,

even in the dead of winter.

Nothing like a Northwest Beach (and a "I'm cold -- can we go now?" smile).

:)

Thoughts on Smiling Kids

I just read something that seems so true and yet so simple -- so important and so often overlooked.  Something that bears repeating and remembering:

"Many years ago a world-wide assessment was made on teaching efforts, educational input, and effectiveness in schools to see if they could find a common denominator.  They found one universal trait: If the children are smiling, there is learning going on."   John Adair


This speaks so strongly to me, both as a parent and as a teacher.  So, to add to my other statement that my friend Michelle published on her site, "Dirty kids are smarter kids",
 

I am adding, "Smiling kids are learning kids." 

It's all good. 

Eagles Galore

We (well, really it's Stefan, but I happen to believe he's right) have a superstition around here that what you do on New Year's Day sets the tone for the rest of the year.  So, there's never any lying around allowed.  :)

We initially had plans to play with friends in the morning and then head out later to the Nooksack River to check out the eagles who winter here.

The eagles migrate from Alaska and BC down to feed on the chum salmon -- yum.  

Jenica, and even Kerry May now too, is very interested in birds of all kinds.  Both girls have their own pair of binoculars, bird guide book, and a satchel to carry them in.  Looking for birds definitely qualifies as "going on an adventure."

Well, our day was turned on its ear when our friends called us early to report they've been hit with the "yuck" and wouldn't be going anywhere.  :(   We looked at each other and quickly decided:  it's time to go and see some eagles! 

Boots: check.  Hat: check. Warm coat: check. Shorts? Odd choice. But, well, we're off!

In Deming there is a great little spot called the Deming Homestead Eagle Park, only about 30 minutes away.  It's a nice walk, even on a mildly crummy day.  It must have been really dark today because all of my pictures are so ominous looking:

Look at those clouds -- they seem to be yelling, "Run! There's a storm a-comin'!"   But, hmmmm... wait a minute, I'm going to fiddle with that...

Ahhh... much better!  Love photoshop, eh?

Anyway, we did the whole walk around the park, scouting for eagles.

Spotted a huge nest and a couple flying waaaay over our heads, but nothing up close.

Kerry decided early that she was going to ride the Daddy Mule.  Maybe next year Stefan won't need as much chiropractic care.

Even with the clouds and drizzle, the scenery is just beautiful. 

You can see the rain heading toward us from the mountain.

Sorry, more scenery pictures.

My father was a serious offender in this department.  There are boxes of pictures of ????  Beautiful vistas, mountains and meadows, but lord knows where or what the heck they are...

But Dad would have been very happy: not only did I take a bunch of just scenery photos, we also had his old binoculars out and in use.

I just like these because they are like little vignettes of "winter in the northwest." 

No other explanation needed.

Anyway, after our trek around the park we hopped in the car and drove just about another mile to a bridge that actually crosses over the river and voila:

Eagles! 

(OK, those big black things are eagles.  Note to self: next year need to ask Santa for better camera).  :)

See the black and white things?  Yup, tree full of eagles.  Kind of like gulls at the beach.  Fantastic.

And the topper, at least as far as Kerry was concerned:

A pit stop for ice cream on the way home.

It's going to be a great year.