‘Nuff said.

She’s my only kid who has no desire for extracurriculars during the school year, so she asked to go to a Living History summer camp this summer. Her wish is my command, including getting a hotel for Me & 3 down in Tacoma so she could attend every day.  We had great adventures through the week, but I was glad enough to get to Friday and pick Kyla up for the last time before driving home.

During the week, she played old-fashioned games (something about “Where’s the Stone”, made a corn-husk doll, felted a purse, made homemade marbles, went on nature hikes, and cranked out ice cream.  She wants to do it all again next year!

Happy Anniversary, Babe!  It’s our first anniversary apart (er, sorry about that), but Friday night is a better night to celebrate anyway.  Remember what we were doing a year ago?? (Besides waiting for Hillary to win the election.  Ah, the innocence.)

2(Bread + Ritz crackers + rice crackers + Swiss cheese)

In May, my little girl came up from the stream proud of her homemade sunscreen/bug repellant.  Even accounting for maternal bias, she is ironically at her most beautiful in these moments.

In an effort to completely wear ourselves out, we finished our Wednesday in Tacoma by renting a 6 person surrey (with a definite fringe!) with Friend Kristin and her 4.5 year old niece.  It somehow pedaled itself to the gelato shop, and neither could we avoid the fantastic views of Mount Rainier.  I will admit that Tacoma beats Home in traffic (but not in the good way) and mountain views (these are inarguably better).

Rather than just spend a day in Tacoma this summer, Kyla signed up for a 4 day camp, so Me & 3 packed up and headed down to south for most of a week.  After dropping the eldest at camp, Piper, Wesley and I met friends at the Zoo. 

Piper is completely flummoxed at being swallowed by an extinct shark.

My kids always love feeding the bright budgies—and I enjoy watching them!

A highlight for me is the daily show—this year Sheriff Bones had to teach a city slicker how to reuse and recycle.  For some reason, a chicken had to blow up the tavern.  It was an important plot element.

So was Sheriff Bones flying to the rescue in his hot air balloon.

We all liked it!

Wesley spent an enormous amount of time at the “hands-in” sea pools. Perhaps he didn’t realize that it was making him cleaner….

‘

Always glad to see the monkeys!

Sisters sharing ice cream at the Ruston Way Spray Park.

Wesley chooses water play over more ice cream!

The cabin had a few few free nights just as the Island Fair opened, so the kids and I went over Wednesday so we could be there bright and early when it opened today. 

This is what a Piper who has just seen an adorable baby goat looks like.

One of our favorite parts is the (free!) balloon animal lady.   Piper got a kitty, Wesley a cheetah, A- a scorpion,  V- an owl, and little J- an airplane.

And then the rides opened up.  Basically, that’s what the kids did for the next 9 hours.  Each kid had their Island BFF at the Fair that day, so each had a ride buddy. 

Really, at the end of the day, the Fair isn’t about just spending too much money, wondering where your kids are while trying to read a book, or even how to limit really unhealthy food.  For us, it’s about friends and our other community.  Awww….