The Long Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend is coming to an end.  Sometimes it is amazing what can happen in only 4 short days.  Our school met our fundraising goal and was rewarded with Friday off from school instead of a half day.  We were further rewarded with some much needed sunny warm weather.

Friday
Dave did not get the day off from work.  I got to go to Nurturing Pathways with Robin for the first time all school year.  Robin always takes a while to warm up, even in familiar situations.  I knew I could not go in the room or he would just hang on me.  I sent Linus in instead.  Robin took his hand and became a newer, braver version of himself.

Down in Seattle we visited some old haunts and checked out a new one, the Cookie Counter on Phinney Ridge.  It's a vegan ice cream and cookie shop, with plenty of gluten free options as well.  Eileen was a happy camper.  She was equally delighted to discover MOD Pizza had vegan, gluten free options as well.

We finished the day with a picnic dinner down at Richmond Beach.  Our kids love the beach.  Dave and I pretty much laid back on our picnic blankets and had our own mini date while the kids played happily.  It was a perfect Pacific Northwest evening.

Saturday
We had another lovely Dimock gathering.  I snuggled the baby.  The kids played baseball and had water fights.  Robin wanted to compare heights.  I've still got a little on him.



Sunday
We loaded up the kids and headed to the Hood Canal and Olympic National Park.  Along the way we listened to the audio book of "Hatchet." Dave used Audible and then plugged it into the auxillary in the car.  I'm so grateful for him sometimes.  We finished the whole book over the course of the day.  Linus is excited to take an AR test and finally understood why we have been trying to get him to read it.

We drove just past Lake Cushman to Staircase.  It's a really family friendly/bad knees trail though I don't advise bringing a stroller. It's not THAT friendly.  We saw waterfalls, crossed a raging river, went over footbridges (some more robust than others), played in creeks, and even went inside a cave.

Robin did great, but needed some ergo time occasionally. He was so excited to run along the trail.  I think this is the best yet that either Eileen or Robin has done hiking.  The kids walked over 4 miles by the time we were done.

Lest you think that hiking with kids is easy or that kids never fight or complain, for your viewing pleasure.....

We finished the weekend with breakfast out, window shopping, groceries, and yard work.  How we squeezed so much into 4 days I have no idea.  I forgot how much I love the Olympics.  I first learned of their magic when I was 13 and on a summer backpacking trip.  That trip changed my life in so many ways.  So many smells this weekend brought visceral memories of my past -- Puget Sound beaches, the Olympics, charcoal grills, and beauty bark.  I hope my kids can use this weekend has a touchstone for their own childhood in the Pacific Northwest.