Easter Celebrations Commence

The weather lately has been the perfect description of Spring:  rain, wind, sun, hail.  Not exactly the kind of weather for being outside, but great weather for:  Decorating eggs!  Here we are getting ready...

Honestly, egg dyeing (sp?) is something I've never attempted before.  My aversion to any kind of mess has always prevented it.  However, this year, a little cabin fever and a spectacular Tye Dye egg kit prompted me to give it a try. 

The girls were totally engrossed.

Jerry would be so proud of our results:

Groovy!

Now, what I really should have taken a picture of is what my hands looked like when this was all over.  (Eeeewwww...)

Creature from the Black Lagoon: watch out, you've got competition...

:)

Another Washington Beauty

and well-kept secret, I think.  Maybe it's just that it's a new secret.   And what a find...

We needed to get out this weekend.  Last weekend we spent the whole weekend Spring Cleaning.  (To look around today, I'm sorry to say, you would never know it, but heck, I know that the walls have been vacuumed, so there.) So, this weekend, we decided we needed some fun, outside time.  

Road Trip! 

My friend Michelle and I were talking about his place about a month ago as a possible fun site for an unusual birthday party or just for fun. 

It's Cama Beach on Camano Island.  It's only about an hour away -- and simply beautiful,

even in the mud.

There are cabins you can rent, some right on the water.

And, there are also loads and loads and loads of things for the kids to do. 

Beachcombing.

Beach walking.

Fishing?  Or, maybe just almost getting wet.

Swinging.

Wandering.

I just enjoyed some of these first signs of spring.

And the smell of the ocean.  A favorite.

Really, a great way to spend the day. 

Bring a picnic!

And your mucky boots. 

I can't wait to come back.

:)

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.