A Learned to Ride a Bike!

We gave A a new bike for her birthday two years ago, but she hasn't been overly excited to ride it. It bothered her when it was slightly off-balance, etc. and she felt more comfortable and confident on her scooter, so it didn't become much of a priority to ride her bike. But a few days ago, I told her that it was my goal for her to learn to ride her bike, without training wheels, before school started. She said, "Okay" without arguing, and so today I figured was a perfectly good day to start practicing. Little did I know that she would only need my help until the end of the block and then took off, and never looked back. Go A go!

New Bible

On A's school supply list, she needed a specific Bible, which I had to order on Amazon. When it came in the mail, she got really excited and sat down to read it on the stairs. JD came down the stairs and was excited for the new Bible too. A offered to read it to him. A opened to Genesis and read "and God saw that it was good, and it was." For soooo many reasons, this brings me such joy!(JD's mosquito-attacked face after camping)

Walupt Lake, WA

We enjoyed two nights in the mountains earlier this week at Walupt Lake. Everyone had a fun time exploring the campground, taking the boat out, etc. Unfortunately, despite lots of bug spray, our guy was really attacked by the mosquitoes. J and his sister, J, and JD all seem to react pretty strongly to the mosquitoes. They didn't seem to bother him too much, but he looked awfully beat up after only two nights. Even one day later, the swelling has subsided, thank goodness! My poor guy!

Sun River Lofgren-Style 2011

We enjoyed another family vacation in beautiful central Oregon. 13 people and one labradoodle enjoyed hiking, biking, swimming, feeding ducks, and riding ponies. There was also a live animal in the wall between our closet and hall stairwell, so things were never dull.

A with her cousins S, 8, and A, 6

Riding the ponies is always a highlight

This year A and JD had a GREAT time swimming in the pool. They kept their life-jackets on, but their confidence in the water was fun to see. Another year of swimming lessons, and maybe we won't need the life-jackets. We'll see.

We hiked a trail to Benham Falls. Most of the family hiked 2 miles. JD and our nephew, B, couldn't handle that route, so we joined them at the last 1/2 mile and everyone got to enjoy the waterfalls.
A is quite fast on her scooter, and on a bike/scooter ride, she had an accident that scraped up her knee and leg pretty badly with some serious road rash. But she was incredibly brave, and, thanks to daddy's medical training and my first aid kit, she was ready to take the scooter for another spin the next day.
JD is quite the stunt-man on his bike. He doesn't need to put his feet on the pedals. Or at least not when he's trying to show off!

Home Depot Fun

A few years ago, when we were in ND, a friend asked A where she lived. Her answer: Home Depot. I am glad to say that now, as a soon to be 6 year old, she knows her full address, including zip code, and three phone numbers, all with their area codes - and none of the answers include Home Depot. But, we do enjoy going there for our various house projects. And now we have a monthly reason to go: Kids Workshops! This month the kids made pencil boxes, which included the use of wood glue and hammering 8 nails. No one was injured, and everyone was proud of their work. Next month, who knows what we'll make!

Camping REALLY Close to Home

Nana and Papa gave A and JD a tee-pee this summer. It was only a matter of a few days before the begging started. You know what they wanted. "When can we sleep in the tee-peeeeeeeee?" Well, it was a beautiful evening, and we didn't have to be anywhere in the morning, so I thought, 'Why not?' Of course, they fully intended to stay out there all by themselves. But, that really freaked me out. I mean, they ARE 5 and 3. So I insisted that I join them. But, the tee-pee is really not big enough for the three of us. I mean, my really long legs wouldn't fit. So, I was told (yes, they told me) that I could sleep outside. Thank you. So I slept on the cot, and hoped, hoped, hoped that there would be no night visitors a.k.a. Rodents Of Unusual Sizes. We've seen dead possums and raccoons far too close to our house to ignore. Thankfully, it was a beautiful night, no R.O.U.S.es were sighted, and the kids slept until 7:30. I'd be willing to do it again before the summer's over.

Esther Short Park Fountain Fun

We enjoyed a hot Wednesday afternoon listening to some folk music from the bandstand while playing in the water fountain. And by we, I mean A and JD. I enjoyed watching from my nice and cool, shady spot. There was one incident on the rocks that gave JD a black and blue goose egg on his forehead for four days, but, other than that, no harm was done. Not too bad for $2 in the parking meter.This, just in case you needed some clarification, is JD's Spiderman pose.

Camping Close to Home

The kids and I joined some new friends for a fun camping experience with our church. We camped out on the main campus grass, pitched our tent, and had fun! They cooked dinner and breakfast for us, provided s'mores, set up a badminton net and a swimming pool, and also had a late night showing of Ice Age and morning cartoons. It was the most relaxing camping trip I've ever been on, and the weather was perfect. We drove the five or so blocks back to our house and unpacked in less than 5 minutes. Wow! I hope we can do it again next year!

Some messy s'mores

A refreshing dip in the pool, and A made two new friends. Perfect!