Strawberry Picking at Biringer Farm

We trekked up to Biringer Farms today to pick strawberries to our hearts content. H was dressed accordingly and got heaps of compliments for it. Both kids loved riding out to the field on the "jolly trolley" behind the tractor, and in about half an hour I'd picked a flat and the kids another half or so. It was easy picking and there were huge berries out there! 

 Of course there was plenty of tasting going on as well:

Afterward, we played on the playground toys, ate lunch at the picnic tables, and since we were already in Arlington, headed out to Nami and Danpa's property. 

 Quin headed up the loft ladder

It was quite an adventure to make out way to Papa's old shack in the woods. He worked in Darrington about 8 years ago (I know because of the old 2002 calendar on the wall!) and he's spend some weeknights in his "Kandinsky estate"/"love shack" out there. We'll have to go back with Papa and the right tools (aka machete) to get past all the salmon berry bushes, and a working camera (mine ran out of batteries) cause it's a fun place for kids to explore and worth documenting.

It's MINE!

Hazel woke up this morning with spunk in her! Besides waking saying, "I wanna see Josie!" (which she wouldn't drop for ages), she was working on her sense of self today. I must have heard, "that's mine.." a thousand times today. Characters in books were hers, food items that were mine were hers, Quin's toys were hers, seriously it went on and on. I had a hard time keeping a straight face. Reminded me of the 2 year old mantra, goes something like this:

"If it's mine it's mine,
if it's yours it's mine,
if I like it is mine,
if I can take it from you it is mine,
if I am playing with something ALL of the pieces are mine,
if I think it is mine it is,
if I saw it first it's mine,
if I had it then put it down it is still mine,
if you had it then you put it down it is now mine,
if it looks like the one I have at home it is mine,
if it is broken it is yours."

Warming their Home

 We had a great time tonight helping to warm Dashel and Cassie's cute new home in south Seattle. It was SUCH a treat to be around so many young happy people who like to help play with my kids! Ok, I know that is so selfish of me, but I love the break I get when this happens, and it's fairly rare. I'm thinking after tonight I need to beg some of these gals to come to ZAGOFOPO next year. ;) 

These 2 LOVE corn:

No party would be as fun without some nudity, my kids covered that element!

Oh and I did I mention there were puppies?! Anything cuter than watching the baby walk the baby?

We really did have a great time!
And the kids fell asleep on the way home giving me heaps of time to do all this blog catch up!

ZAGOFOPO

 We had the Zackey's Annual Gathering Of Fish Oriented People and Others last night and it was a fishy fun time!

Papa got a HUGE 25 lb salmon: 

 The kids showed off their rooms. (Cassie rocks, really, she did the rock n' roll 1/2 marathon today!)

There was some funny shenanigans with the fish pinata we crafted:

H was obsessed with Braden, a wonderfully attentive kid, who was an excellent kiddo wrangler and swing pusher.

Everyone brought really tasty food:

 

I got many annual ZAGOFOPO pictures:

 

(I'll have to make a slide show here later!) I'm already gathering ideas for next year!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

We went to our first Aquasox game tonight! We thought Poppi Vince would enjoy going to a game, so we were lucky the season just started this week. 

It was a lovely night for a game, it wasn't raining, the mountains were out, and all were in a festive mood. Q was treated to some bouncy house fun, H enjoyed the Magician's rabbit, and we all had some good ole' ballpark food.

The boys were playing well too. We didn't stay for the whole game, but they won 5-3. We're planning on heading back there another time this summer!

"Hazel do it HERSELF!"

Yep, we are in that age. The talking in second person, and being independent age. Right now, being she's my second I think it's SO cute. It gets old of course sometimes, but mostly I appreciate what she's attempting, and the way in which she goes about it. Like when she wanted to put on her bloomers the other day, and proceeded to put them on her head and then proclaim, "I did it!" proudly. Or when she drapes herself in necklaces and jewelry lately, it's just so cute, how can I mind? Anyhow, here's some photos evidence of her doing it herself:

standing up on the marsh lookout solo, needed a boost, but had to be on her own after that

yikes! little gypsy girl 

 climbing up the boat ramp on her own, 

hey Mama's happy she gets to take a picture that way!

She's still quite attached and sweet though, so perhaps that's the loveliness of this phase, she always asks for help when she needs it.

Summer?

Happy solstice! So, just fyi, in case you were dying to know what the deal is with our lovely Seattle weather this spring, my hubby informs me that it's a La Nina year again. Last year winter in was an El Nino year (thus the hot summer and dry winter) and it's looking like his sister is following his footsteps this year. Go read more on the sibs here. So, get ready for a wet and cold one. Get that rain gear ready, go out when it's sunny to soak up the D, or just head east or south to catch it. I'm going to do my best to be optimistic, my kids don't really care if it's sunny or not, they just love to be outside, and so do I! So, we trekked to some new spots today. We went down to the Deer Creek Fish hatchery and Willow Creek, and then the Edmonds Marsh. The kids loved exploring a new terrain, I loved watching their bravery and creativity blossom.

 the old watching the leaves float under the bridge and down the stream trick

first day in a headband ;)

 investigating dead marsh grass

He's getting quite brave and sure footed as there was LOTS of climbing across fallen logs (some pretty scary ones I might add)

While he maneuvered over logs she stuck pieces of leaves down her shirt, then tried out her own balancing act on a log on the ground

At the end of the marsh walk, we did see many small birds, a glimpse of raccoon, and a scary loud train (well for H anyway)

And the first day of summer is a great day for a man to mow the lawn for the first time in 30 years, don't you agree?

And tomorrow, it's supposed to be lovely, so we'll enjoy some summer soon!

The Moment the Sun Came Out

I knew the sun was coming, so first thing in the morning we headed out to pick up a kiddie pool, a must for this summer (previous ones didn't make the move). So, when our sunny yard was just right, we filled it up and hopped on in. Ok, I'll admit I added some big buckets of warm water from inside, it was only 10 am after all, but the kids really were thrilled.

That was just the beginning of our day filled with time in the sun. We stayed out for a picnic lunch, muffin tin style:

Followed by popsicles!

 

More Fathers

We were lucky to get to celebrate with 3 father's this year. My Dad joined us for the salmon ceremony yesterday and we gave him our father's day attention then and last weekend when we were on the island.

 And Poppi Vince is in town with Patti this time around, so we got to wish him a Happy Father's Day at dinner here tonight.

I for one think these father's have done a pretty wonderful job with their kids, and I'm thankful that we get to see so much of them in their Grandfatherly roles as well. Happy Father's Day to all!

Happy Papa's Day!

To the Papa of my children, the man I adore, Happy Father's Day!

You are hands down the best shoulder ride giver!

What fun you are, what a handy guy you are, what a super hero you are to us!

We LOVE you!