Happy Birthday Dave!

Happy Birthday Dave.  Poor Dave had to work a long day.  With school starting soon, I was busy working in my classroom.  There wasn't a lot of time to do things like bake a cake or plan an elaborate meal.  The kids had swim lessons in the late afternoon.

I tried to make things a little festive.  I got some shiny gold crowns and blowers.  I decorated his present pretty.  I actually planned ahead and got his present when I took a day trip to Bainbridge Island.

We had teriyaki as requested for dinner.  After coming home from swim lessons, I placed an order through Amazon restaurants for delivery.  I then set about trying to spruce up the house a little and get laundry running and all the other things you do as a parent before he got home.

It's amazing how kids won't complain about dinner being late if you let them have free screen time....

Dinner came pretty quickly and was delicious.  It was already bedtime so there wasn't much time for celebrating.  Dave is very hard to shop for and had made no mention of anything he would like.  I'm pretty proud of what I got him.

Dave is pretty excited about it too.  It's a Growler Werks microkeg.  It holds 3 pints of beer.  The keg uses CO2 chargers to pressurize.  Basically, it means you can fill a growler, take it camping, and not worry about flat beer.  Dave has an affinity for industrialized metal.  I thought he would appreciate this copper beauty on looks alone.

We ended the night with lava cakes and vanilla ice cream and a flourless chocolate tart with almond milk vanilla ice cream for Eileen.  Dave rounded out his birthday watching the Seahawks.
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Now Dave is already for his next camping adventure.  I'm looking forward to enjoying leftover teriyaki and lava cakes. Mmmm.

We love you Dave.  Happy Birthday!

Everybody Knows There's a Place Called Skoko Lodge

Everybody knows that the best part of summer is summer camp.  And one of the best summer camps around is Camp Gallagher.  My family snagged a coveted spot at Gallagher Family Camp again.  This weekend we endured much traffic in order to bask in the magic of camp.

Gallagher is different than other camps--it's very rustic with no electricity in the cabins or flushing toilets, you don't have to wear shoes,  the dining hall has a sand/dirt floor.  What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in other ways.

Thanks to our week at Cama Beach, Linus quickly went and found his pack of boys and we didn't really see him much after that.  He was so happy.  Linus led songs at campfire, wrote and sang an entire cheer by himself, and played hard.  I appreciate that the boys didn't mind the fact that he was three years younger.  Linus played the most with two boys only a year older.  Dave and I were excited because one lives across the street and yet somehow they haven't connected as buddies--until now!

The first thing Eileen wanted was to go visit the mitten (a driftwood log at the campfire circle that has one end sort of shaped like a mitten).  I was a bit surprised to find other kids called it the mitten as well.

Astride the mitten.

The kids quickly went to work playing in the sand.  Eileen and Garnett, a boy from Linus' class at school, delved into the construction of a driftwood fort.

Playing in the sand continued through Sundown.  I bathed them before we left for camp to establish a base layer of cleanliness.  Within 15 minutes of being at camp, it proved a useless exercise.

The next morning was full of playing on the beach and a little standup paddle boarding.  Paddling with two kids on your board is not the easiest thing.  Luckily, later in the day I got to take out a paddle by myself.  I really enjoy paddle boarding.  I'm beginning to think I might be ready to invest in one.  There is just something about the ease of getting out on the water that it allows.

In the afternoon, a bunch of the moms took the big canoe out to Heron Island.

It was so cool to connect with such an awesome group of women.  The big canoe is no joke.  Despite being awesome women, reinforcements were still needed to get the canoe off and on the beach.

The evening Luau was pretty fun.  Even Linus relented and got into the spirit.

    

I think it's a tragedy I don't get more opportunities to wear my coconut bra.

In case the kids weren't dirty enough, burial in the sand trumped Sundown for the kids.

I tried to keep an eye on things while enjoying Sundown.  Sundown at family camp is a little different.  Kids under the age of 10 seem to have less interest in watching the sunset, listening to people share reflections and feelings, and sing songs.  Behind the sundown log was a whole other scene full of a different kind of joy.  Some kids found the sundown log better suited to being tunneled under.  I looked over at one point and saw Robin astride poor Garnett, pushing him into the sand. I was worried until Garnett's parents assured me he was happy, even if it involved a mouthful of sand.

A surprising highlight of the weekend was the Great Heron Challenge.  A series of cooperative challenges.  Linus abandoned us in favor of joining the group of boys led by former staffer, Murph.  We joined another family from school, the Martins.  We had so much fun.  Team Wookie (our chosen name) dominated the challenges.  I was impressed by our ingenuity.  The kids did awesome.  Linus was just impressed later when I told him that his dad and I actually were friends with Murph.

Eileen didn't like me taking her picture much.  By the end of the weekend she had the cutest little dirt freckles.  This picture doesn't do it justice.

The weekend was way too short.  Next year I hope to try the vertical playpen.  I also want to try sailing.  I haven't done a small sailboat since I was a camper.  Family camp was the absolute best way to end summer.  Today was the first teacher in-service day.  Now I'm just left with happy memories of camp and a longing for next year.  In the meantime I need to remember the implicit messages of Gallagher -- to find joy in simple things, make time to play, admire beauty in nature, and put down your phone.

***My phone was down most of the time except for the few pics I took.  With no electricity, I could not charge my phone and it does not hold a charge well.  Photos were taken sparingly.

Camper for Life

This week another of my babies embarked on their first solo adventure.  Eileen went to Camp Don Bosco for mini camp.  Linus never did mini camp.  When we first broached the idea this past winter, Eileen would start screaming and crying (not exaggerating).  The idea of sleep away camp terrified her.

In the spring we went to the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Bosco.  It served as a gentle reminder that Bosco is a safe fun place.  Eileen then asked to go to camp.  We were shocked!  Of course I had already registered Linus for camp at that point and it wasn't the same session as a minicamp.  Ugh. Thus I spent a lot of time the past two weeks driving back and forth along Woodinville-Duvall Road and Highway 203.

By the time the first day of camp arrived, Eileen was bursting with excitement. Randomly, she and I both put on the same pants that morning without discussing it.

Sometimes excitement is masked by a stoic sensibility.

It was a relief to know that the camp was fully prepared to deal with her food sensitivities.  I was surprisingly less nervous for Eileen than Linus.  Eileen loves life.  She is enthusiastic about everything.  Dave and I agreed that if anyone was going to love camp, it would be Eileen.

Joining Eileen by lucky chance was the daughter of the director, who Dave and I worked at camp with back in the day.  As we checked in, lo and behold another former staffer walked up with a mini camper!  We all worked the very wet, muddy, insane summer of 99 at Bosco.  Bosco 99 forever!  Rounding out the surprises was Linus' second grade teacher showing up with her daughter.  If this doesn't say something about the CYO community then I don't know what does.

Kiernan and Eileen excited about the Glacier Lodge bunks.

Eileen didn't bother to even say good bye to me.  I'm told she was never homesick.  While she was away, the rest of us basked in all the gluten and dairy we could stomach.  It was glorious and delicious.  Linus enjoyed his time with his brother. At the YMCA, Linus was stunned that while hanging out in the tween room, in walked two of his cabinmates!  They were equally surprised.  It just goes to show that CYO is secretly everywhere.

Robin missed Eileen.  I missed Eileen too.  I couldn't wait to pick her up.  Eileen wouldn't let me take pictures, but thankfully a friend managed to snap a few shots.

Eileen at the final night BBQ.  Burgers, watermelon, canteloupe, candy, and facepaint.   

G-L, G-L-A, G-L-A-C-I-E-R, Glacier! Lodge!

Eileen acted anxious to go home, but then could not stop talking and singing on the car ride back.  She loved everything--broomball in T-bird, s'mores, crafts, campfire.  Her favorite thing at camp was chanting, "In the Pool! In the Pool!"  when a staff member had to be thrown in as punishment.  Her favorite songs were "Rattlin' Bog" and "Yogi Bear."  I had no idea they still sang Yogi Bear.  Eileen enthusiastically performed the motions as I drove and we sang together.

Cleaning out Eileen's stuff was interesting.  I am pretty sure she did brush her teeth and she changed her clothes more than Linus.  Her hair was less of a tangled disaster than I anticipated. I think about half her stuff must be in the lost and found. Another trip out to Carnation may be in order....

Eileen plans to wear her Eagle (the special leather necklace you get the first time you go to camp) everywhere so that people will know she went to CYO camp.  I'm so proud of her for the way she embraced independence.

Tonight at dinner Robin gingerly asked, "When can I be a summer camper?"  I think he's a little jealous of all the fun his siblings have had the past two weeks.  He will just have to make do with family camp for now.

Next year the goal is camp at the same time for both big kids, drop Robin with the grandparents, and then take a mini-vacation with Dave.

Yes we are *THAT* cute

Sometimes life gets away from you and you realize that the last time you had a family photo done your youngest child (now getting ready to start preschool) was an infant, and your oldest (now about to start 3rd grade) was in preschool.  It doesn't feel like it was that long ago and yet somehow it was.  I commented to my cousin that I wanted to get a nice family photo done.  I didn't want 200+ photos of my family, nor did I want to go the SEARS portrait route.  If only I could find a mini-session....

 And then the heavens intervened and that very evening in my Facebook feed was a post from a photography friend.  Meghan, who I've known since our days working at Camp Don Bosco, is now a professional photographer.  She was offering a very affordable mini-session for family photos.  Even better, she was doing them nearby at Richmond Beach.  The opportunity was sweetened even more by the fact that Meghan was donating proceeds to Camp Gallagher.  Family photos and summer camp for the win!

The weather cooperated and so did the crowds that had flocked to the beach earlier in the day.  I love our pictures. I can't believe what she capture in a mere 20 minutes.  She gave us both color and black and white copies of our chosen 10 pictures. Eileen asked for a shot of just her and me.

We promised the kids Menchies in exchange for their cooperation.  I love pictures of my kids as babies, but I'm glad I finally have some nice recent photos that weren't taken with my cell phone.  If you want to see more of Meghan's amazing work, check out www.mkmcmackin.com.

Linus goes to Camp

This week I sent my firstborn to sleepaway camp.  It was a big deal.  Kids just don't go to overnight camp as often these days.  When I was young, I dreamed of going to camp.  My family could never afford it.  I was so excited to send Linus to CYO camp, where his dad and I first met.

I dropped Linus off at Camp Don Bosco on Monday.  His friend, Bennett, joined him.  Linus has been to Bosco for family camp and other functions so he was acting like Mr. Cool.

I admit I was nervous.  Considering I used to work at the camp and had a pretty good idea of what his week would look like, I can only imagine how other parents must have felt.  Linus is a picky eater.  Would he eat?  Would he remember to wear sunscreen?  I decided to just trust that everything would be okay.

Life was eerily quiet without Linus.  Eileen and Robin are generally best friends, so they basked in each other's company.  Eileen slept in Linus' bed.  They played with all of Linus' toys.  We went to the Point Defiance Zoo and the taste of Edmonds.  Many many blanket forts were built.

When you are in the having babies stage, people ask you if you are done.  After Linus we knew we weren't done.  We felt incomplete.  Then we added Eileen.  Things felt more whole, but I still felt incomplete.  After Robin things felt complete.  This was my family.  With Linus gone, there was a hole.  Life was quiet and easier in a lot of ways.  But it's also like someone of the vibrancy, color went away.  Linus often makes things harder, but he also makes it better.  We missed Linus.

I was excited to pick him up.  I wanted to hear all about his adventures.  It's been 2 hours.  He hasn't stopped talking.  I've heard all about hikes, kitchen raids, capture the flag, building a waterproof fort, and the gaga pit. Linus and Bennett weren't the biggest fan of foil dinners.  Dave and I correctly predicted that Linus would choose Archery on choice day.  On the drive back home, Linus treated me to a recitation of a poem about bagels.

The boys were happy and dirty when I arrived.  Linus was sad to leave, but so very proud of his Eagle and beads.  The counselors said they were awesome friends during the week.  Bennett took on the challenge of waking Linus up every morning.

You know it was a good week when the counselors ask to take a picture with your kids.  Linus' cabin leader, Thomas, hurt his knee during soccer yesterday and got to go to the ER so he wasn't around.

Lodge Leader Meghan, Crafts Riley (loyalty), Linus, and Bennett in front of Tonga Lodge.

I just unloaded all of Linus' gear.  I threw all the socks in the garbage.  You can learn a lot about a kid's camp experienced based on the contents of his bag.  Things I gleaned:

1. Linus did not brush his teeth the entire week.
2. When he did shower, he did not use shampoo.
3.  He changed his clothes a total of 2 times during the week.
4. He used bug spray, but not on his body.

I asked Linus what he would miss most about camp.  His response, "Just playing." I get it kid.  Linus also informed me he is going to go to camp until he is 23 so he can get a 5 year bead, 10 year bead, and 15 year bead.

Right now Linus is regaling Dave with tales of camp, singing camp songs, and teaching him how to play the handgame, cowboy.    Linus had a great week.  It was worth a little anxiety on my part to see Linus grow as a person so much in one week.

Squeezing in an Island Adventure

Friday was my last day of it being just myself and 3 kids.   Friday meant we had no obligations--no swim, no swim lessons, no appointments, nothing.  The weather was predicted to be hot.  This meant I needed to try and avoid places that would be overflowing with people trying to beat the heat.  Unfortunately, the BC wildfires has meant that the air is pretty terrible.

Friday I woke up with resolve.  The air was a little better than the day before.  I needed to take advantage of the freedom the day offered.  I decided to take a day trip to Bainbridge, my special place.  I messaged my aunt, Eileen, to see if she happened to be around.  The kids have been asking to see her again.  As luck would have it, she had the whole day free.

We busted out the door with no plans, no lunch, to get to the Kingston ferry before the weekend crowds.  We made it and met up with my aunt at the coolest new park, Rotary Park.  It is designed to be disability inclusive.  It was simply just a well thought out, well designed park.  You know you're on Bainbridge when the park, which doesn't even have a paved parking lot, has a electric car charging station.

From the park we went to Lynwood Center for lunch and froyo.  We went into the coolest store, Bainbridge Island Outfitters and Depot.  I really hope they make it.  Lynwood Center is a far cry from what it was when I was a kid.  After lunch we went to Eileen's house to do a little berry picking.

Linus got over his fear of Mowgli and became very enamored.

Eileen's house is always full of interesting things to see and do.  She also let us harvest some lettuce and kale from her garden.  We finished off the afternoon with a little time at the beach at Blakely Harbor.  It was quiet (except for us) and made me begin to fantasize about having my own little kayak again or stand up paddle board that I could just take a go out on the water at will.  My kids LOVE the beach.  However, Robin was a little tired and spent most of his time on the picnic blanket I brought.

We had an easy time getting off the island and made the first ferry we attempted.  Dave was already home, with food ready for us.  As we walked in the door, Eileen exclaimed, "We had the best day!"  Thanks Great Grand Eileen for making time for us today.  It was a perfect day.

From the Mouths of Babes in July

Dave:  Robin has world famous hugs.
Robin:  No I don't.  I'm all out of those.

Me: What do you want for lunch?
Eileen:  Nothing right now.  You don't need to parent me.

Robin:  I have to flash, bang, boom to get the poop out.
(Explanation:  flash = pee, bang = the fart, boom = poop)

Early morning swim team is a bit chilly.

Summer vacation has meant lots of quality time for these two guys.