zing☼day

Pack Forest (Or City Kids Meet Ice Take Two!)

Our second attempt at hiking Pack Forest was a hundred fold more successful than our first attempt. The higher temperatures and improved preparedness (is that a word?) were key of course even though that pool of water at the parking lot continued to entice the children so that I did have to caution them to "stay away from the water".  Oh my, did I test my parents this much?

With a backpack filled with pistachios and bottles of water we headed up the old logging trails, into some spectacular semi-old growth and peek-a-boo views all the while looking for any evidence of bigfoot of course.  We did see one reoccurring sighting. I managed to photograph him, you can see for yourself! He's the one wearing the inconspicuous orange shirt!

Fresh air plus beautiful evergreen foliage of the Pacific Northwest and the beloved company of cousins makes for a very exciting day for young and old.  Yes, we're hoping to return very soon.

Winter Hiking

It's so easy to lose the outdoor momentum in these winter months, but not on this particular day when we climbed out of our hole in the ground to meet up with some friends for a short hike through Point Defiance Park.    

Not only was the weather perfect but our friends introduced us to new trails in our favorite city park I never thought of exploring.  And I just love trails.  Can you tell?

Maybe I find a lot of comfort in following the steps someone has laid out before me.  Especially when children are involved.  I want to follow a path I know my children and I will be safe on.

Because when you stay on paths you're guaranteed a rich reward at the end.

Yes, good weather, good friends and safe trails are a few of my favorite things!

 

Second Chance Horse Ranch

It's such a beautiful and emotional moment when kids connect with the world around them, especially when it comes to developing relationships with the natural world and admiring the special gifts of animals.

This week we had the extreme pleasure of meeting orphaned horses at Second Chance Horse, through an invitation from our awesome homeschool group (my goodness they enrich our lives.)

Second Chance Horse Ranch is an amazing heart-filled non-profit that adopts and cares for thoroughbreads, that after years of racing and physical wariness of competition and decomposition, they eventually become broken, unwanted, unprofitable.

But still in this place they remain wanted, loved, appreciated and valued.

We had a chance to groom these beauties, to feed them and even ride them.  By the older kids at least.  Declan still has reservations about meeting these gentle giants and would prefer climbing the bars and petting the docile old ranch dog who's always waiting for a treat or a good rub.

 

I'd like you to meet Erin, he's four years old and after a short career as a racing horse has just been operated on all four ankles and fortunately because of lots of tender loving care he's recuperating well and ready to grow some more. He's quite friendly by the way, and is always hoping you're holding a special treat for him in your hand.

 We all are wanting to return and visit these dear horses soon.  And there is a tiny fantastical dream of maybe one day of bringing one home with us one day, but of course, that remains in my far future dreams.

equinely yours,

Christine

 

Back to Nisqually

After a couple of weeks in the thirties, the upper forties feel balmy. Well, not quite balmy. But thoroughly enjoyable and refreshing.  Oh to be back in God's Creation.  Nothing feels more serene.

City Kids Meet Ice

The weekend hike with the cousins was planned.

We had attended Saturday evening service.  Sunday was free for the first hike of the year.

Two batches of popcorn had been popped and poured into a large Trader Joe's paper bag, eight PB&J sandwiches prepared, fruit and some lollilops were also packed to be enjoyed on the way home after the scheduled three hour hike.

The cars were filled up with gas and the GPS was set.

Ah, finally ready to go and only seven minutes behind schedule. It's not always easy getting eight people out the door, is it?!

We left a foggy city behind, a fog that hasn't lifted in over three days. 

We left the city stresses and the bad moods there in the fog too.

On our trip eastward, we found the sun again. The blue skies opened and welcomed us and we got to see Mt. Rainier again.  Oh how refreshing and breathtaking is that Mountain. It is zing for the soul.

And in those corners where the sun didn't hit, the douglas firs were decorated with a heavy flaky frost. We were entering a white wonderland.

Inside our car (the boys went with Joe while the girls went in my car) we played twenty-one questions (which can be quite challenging when playing with a six year old who doesn't quite understand all of her geography yet!), listened to gypsy jazz and talked high school with my growing niece.

We parked our two cars and the eight of us tumbled out into a frigid cold we haven't had in the city for quite some time.

The kids quickly amused themselves with a patch of ice right by the front of the cars. Oh they were giddy with excitement. And I was so thrilled to see them having a good time with each other and enjoying the outdoors. This is why we're here. This is why parents try so hard to get these city kids outdoors.

"Kids, don't step on the ice." I reminded them, "If you get wet, we won't be able to go on our hike."

It was feeling really cold and I felt the urgency to get moving quickly so Joe and I busied ourselves putting gloves on the toddler, harnessing the backpack and reviewing the map and organizing our sense of direction to find the entrance to the trail which I admit can take a lot of mental effort and preoccupation on my part!

"Let's head this way." we directed the kids.

At this moment, we looked back and walking towards us comes one very very wet kid. His pants are wet up to his pockets and his jeans are so saturated they're hugging his legs.

"What happened?" we say.

"The ice was thinner than I thought when I stepped on it." he says.

"We need to go back home." Joe and I announce simultaneously.

"It'll dry." he says.

"Water doesn't dry here, it freezes." I inform him.

I can tell he's embarassed and disappointed. They're all disappointed and a little shocked, after all they're completely silent. The only exception and objection comes from Declan, my three year old, who is pushing both Mommy and Daddy back towards the trail.

He sits down on icy grass and rings out the water from his socks.

A lesson is learned here without words. A lesson he is learning on his own.

This isn't the time for rebuke nor is it the time for "I told you so's."

And so we tell him with a chuckle in hopes of lightening the mood, "This will be a day to remember for sure. Can you imagine years from now, when you have kids of your own? What will you tell them when they're standing on ice in the middle of nowhere?"

He chuckles in return.

We returned home a little earlier than expected so I got to put a delicious meal on the oven to simmer for a couple of hours and then napped with my littlest guy.

It was still all good!

 

Twanoh

My nephew requested another hike to Twanoh State Park (pronounced Tu-wa-nu-ho, go figure!), so we squeezed six people into a five seater Sedan and made the almost hour trip out towards the Hood Canal.

Oh my bootie got squooshed! (Is that a word?)

With a couple of "are we there yet's?" from even me, we finally spilled out of the car to enjoy this delightful, calm and easy walk through woods and beach.  It was so easy that I got to linger a few steps behind and practice my photography skills.

How can a shot go wrong though, isn't His artistry magnificent?

And the company as always was delightful. My nephew is such a gentle spirit and my do the cousins love having him along.

Now for the ride back!

sandwichedly yours,

 

Sun Stand Still

Celebrating the winter solstice has been a fairly new tradition for our family.  I had never thought of taking time to stop and reflect on the seasons and anticipate the lengthening of days but it has become increasingly popular in so many walks of life and practically every blog I'm dedicated to is wishing me a Happy Winter's Solstice.  The sincered wishes are so respectful and peaceful one can't help but take notice and join in on this lovely truth that today marks the day that light will be returning to our hemisphere degree by degree and minute by minute.

And it fits in so appropriately, doesn't it, with the coming of Christ for He is the Light of the World and He is returning again.  The sun will peek through a little longer with all its energy and life and I can't help but wonder how much more energy and abundant life the Creator of this sustaining sun, how much Energy and Life he shines on us.

And I can't help but wonder when we won't have to count down the days to look forward to the return of the sun because we will be in His Presence, for His Eternal Light will be with us day and night just as it was when Joshua asked the Lord to make the Sun Stand Still. 

So Miraculous! Can you imagine?

So while we wait for his coming, while we celebrate his transformation from the heavenly into the earthly, we can also commemorate His Creation and His Design of the Seasons. And we can spend our time outside on this shortest of days enjoying the company of dear friends.

Thank You, Lord, for never leaving us in darkness and returning us to Light.

 

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Did the Sun Really Stand Still?

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge

Even in the slumbering month of December when the skies are grey and the abundant wildlife hibernate at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge there are plenty of treasures to discover:

The fresh air, running children, climbing children, laughing children, a distant eagle and a brave not-so-distant great blue heron.

 The mallards are plenty and always beautiful to watch while even the ordinary gulls capture our attention as they impressively park themselves in the wind.

And then there are the rewards celebrated by all as we climb into a warm and dry car and then snuggle up with some hot tea with toast and honey upon our arrival home.

These wintry months are welcome in this place.

Fall Days

With work and school done for the day, we reward ourselves with the outdoors as we enjoy a brisk afternoon on this beautiful fall day.  Oh so good!

Hope you're having a beautiful fall day wherever you are!

For Teasing Weather

After two full days of dark blustery hard rains we woke up to some sunshine, there was some of that blessed blue up above and brilliant rays that was drawing us outside as if the sunbeams were pouring gold.  Knowing that our favorite park had just opened their new playground, that is if the architect had passed the inspection on Friday as he was scheduled (gotta be on top of these things when this park is literally our back yard for these land-starved city dwellers!), we hopped in the car and set off for our five minute drive.  As we descended the hill, a sudden blackness covered the land and raindrops splattered our windshield.  

"Mommy, I thought you said the sun was shining."

"Yes, I said that but it's Autumn weather in Seattleland and for some reason I've forgotten how quickly the weather will turn about."

"I think the weather is teasing us Mommy." Yes, Colin couldn't have said it better.

As the silly Mommy that I am, I neglected to dress my kids in any raingear but we continued anyways and they got soaked climbing and sliding the new structures, running in the rain and of course stepping into streamlets.  (It was nice to see them deviate from the play structures and back into the woodsy areas of the park.  I may be silly but I'm also oh so proud of the them!)

And in this teasing weather I got to wear my new knitted hat (photos taken by older darlings who so nicely took turns, ahem!)  The pattern was a ravelry find called Lotus Hat and is the first project I've completed for myself.  It's a nice snug woolen hat for these temperamental fall days! Ravelry notes can be found here.

We left a little earlier than hoped for as the downpour became unbearable with or without raincoats or woolen hats but the conversation in the car ride home turned into a cozy one of sipping tea and eating toast by the fire that awaited us.

And of course, the sun had come out again by the time we had settled inside!

Feeling Like a Kid Again

We returned home today from an absolutely lovely and restful (minus the broken arm and asthma.  but I'll get back to this in a future post.   I won't leave you hanging forever!) visit with our northeast family.  

Lovely because Uncle Bill's bear hugs still rock,  Grandma 's kitchen is still a cozy conversation spot, I got to spend a weekend with my adorable and perfect Godchild, and hike mountains while gasping for air with my energetic nephew.  I'm blessed, truly blessed!

Restful because our wonderful family reminded us of what it feels like to be ten years old again, kind of anyways! Great-Grandma, Mom and Pop, Tios and Tias and especially an older and wiser sister lavished their care upon us and spoiled us marvelously for two weeks!  On their insistence that we rest (really? Ok!), they cooked delicious meals, took us out for ice cream under the harvest moon, drove out of their way for my Starbucks fix, drove six hours round trip to dine and spend the afternoon visiting, gave up their bedroom, babysat so Joe and I could have our first dinner date in seven months, went for long country walks, played Uno and Battleship a thousand times a day, planned apple picking adventures (tried a delicious Macoun for the first time, yum), took the kids on wagon rides, taught kids how to drive tractors (!), took the kids four wheel driving, hosted cook outs, , postponed birthday parties just so we could participate, and cared for broken arms and asthmatics.

Yes, I felt like a kid again under the love umbrella of my dear and loving family.  

 

 

September Bounty

September is truly a month marked with reward and bounty.  In this modern day of accessibilty, where the cycle of "want" to purchase to delivery can last only two days (any Amazon prime members out there!!), the planning, purchasing of supplies, seeding, caring,  composting, replanting, watering, weeding and finally harvesting has taken us well into a six month process.  We could have easily taken the five minute trip to the grocery store but what is the fun in that, right?

For us it has been about the process,  the magic of seeds, the anticipation and excitement of the first sprouts, the discovery of the first fruit and the eager hands ready to harvest and taste these summer goodies.

I do it for them. Not for a commendable and necessary green agenda but for them. They drive me to to research planting schedules and fill up Saturdays hauling compost because I want them to connect with this amazing world God has created for our enjoyment.  You can see, feel and taste his creativity and genius through even a garden. And hopefully, they'll love and appreciate His world a little more. Hopefully they'll adore and worship Him a little more as we celebrate our September Bounty.

Seed Dispersal

"Has anyone here been to Florida? Raise your hand!  In Florida, there are lots of palm trees and coconuts."

Yes, that's my confident, capable public speaker.

Colin co-hosted a presentation with me on Seed Dispersals, our current topic of discussion in homeschool science. (We're using Apologia's Exploring Creation With Botany.) We spent the last week studying various types of seed dispersal, an appropriate subject since our gardens and fields are rich with seeds during this time of year.  During our trip to the park this week we were able to collect all methods of seed dispersals: wind, human, mechanical, animal and even water, minus the coconut example of course!

After our small dissertation amongst parents and peers we set off on a little experiment. We covered our shoes in old socks and went off to play in the meadow.  There was one dominant seed that stuck well and dominated all other seeds that we could see with the visible eye...burrs!  Those are sticky little buggers and I'm still removing them off their clothing.  But we kept them on our socks so we could plant them, socks included  in containers we brought from home.  The pots are now sitting by a sunny window in our home and we're anxiously awaiting new growth and the discovery of what exactly we brought back home with us. 

 

I think they'll always remember this fascinating lesson. And, I'll always remember that coconuts are dispersed by water, even reaching to far off continents, thanks to Colin!

Blueberries and Snakes

We finally did make it back for blueberry picking.  We stayed just long enough to collect enough blueberries for one pie and about two days worth of oatmeal accompaniments before we had to rush to a piano lesson, which the instructor was not there for!!!!  Big breath! Be thankful in all things, right?!  I'm still struggling to think of what that may be yet!

Perhaps we are simply to be thankful for an opportunity to go back. I, of course, wouldn't mind another pie and perhaps some blueberry jam. The kids on the other hand are begging to play with snakes. Apparently, they like blueberries as much as humans do!

An Honest to Goodness Old-Fashioned Swimming Hole

Better than swim lessons, or the new wave pool in town which is teeming with so many people (I do dislike crowds oh so much, can you tell) is Chambers Creek.  It is a runoff from Lake Steilacoom to the Puget Sound not from a glacier although the frigid waters tell a different story.  

I think you have to be a kid in the Pacific Northwest, to grow up here to tolerate this temperature because I don't dare even wade the waters.  The kids on the other hand explain to me as they shiver and tremble that it's just too much fun not to go in the waters and for the life of them they can't understand why Mommy and Daddy don't want to join them!

It's going to be another hot one this week and this is where you'll find us, in a tranquil, lovely, spectacular fun for all ages...swimming hole.

And can you believe it's only about ten minutes from home!?

Shhh...don't tell anyone. It's our little secret!

Oregon Grape

In the cold winter month of January we were graced by these dainty golden blooms.  Seven months later.... 

they, by God's magical design, produced these lovely fruits...Oregon Grape.

They're a little bitter to the taste but they're fun to squirt, more so than plastic popcorn and a lot messier for sure.  I missed the photo opportunity when they were all bathed in purple from head to toe. I was a little too pre-occupied with saving their juice drenched clothes and throwing them in the washer as quickly as mom-ly possible.

Today we harvested these plump little fruits before they started drying into raisins.  I had been going at it a little slow because this poky plant can make collecting a miserable experience. But thankfully, I had a tenacious helper who didn't mind the spikey leaves and who could squeeze herself into the hard to get to places.  

We collected a couple of pounds and followed the Oregon Grape Preserve recipe by Langdon Cook which permeated our home with an earthy, beet-like aroma.  I'm wondering if it's because of the berberine that saturates this healthy berry.  However, to make it edible for the kids and for me, a whole lot of sugar is needed.

I think we can still call it a healthy afternoon snack!

jammily yours,

Harvesting Squash Blossoms

Of the dozen pumpkin seeds we planted only two took off and my goodness what a blessing that was! What was I thinking sowing twelve pumpkin seeds when the two that survived are overtaking my garden, crowding out the spinach and canopying the cucumbers.  Note to self, please take the time to move the spinach and cucumbers.

Watching the blossoms appear and anticipating the growth of the pumpkins has been one of the highlights of our garden experience, for the young and old alike. I've been especially excited, as I tend to be with educational opportunities, because this year we are studying botany and the transformation of our pumpkin patch so beautifully illustrates our lesson plans, that the purpose of a flower is to produce fruit (we call them baby pumpkins) which then produces seeds and then the cycle starts all over again.  We are literally watching our science experiment and a birthing in process.

Can you tell how much I love this?  Could it be that I'm more excited than the kids?

Squash blossoms are not only beautiful but they are edible.  But harvesting them can be a bit tricky because you don't want to pick a flower before it has served her purpose and produced a baby pumpkin.  The kids helped me out with this and they did such a good job.  They had to search out the female blossoms and the male blossoms.  They had permission to pick the male blossoms, you can identifiy them by their thin stalk, but the mommy blossoms had to be examined carefully.  If she had produced her fruit and was starting to fall off, she could be used for dinner.  For example, the one below was still firmly attached so I didn't feel quite comfortable separating her from her baby just yet.  We'll save her for another dish.

Female Squash Blossom

 

 

Male Squash Blossom

 So why eat squash blossoms? Because this recipe is irresistible, delectable and worthy of seconds and thirds.  

But in my case, I skip the seconds and thirds and just pile as much as I can onto the plate and then top it off with a nice glass of red, for digestion of course! Ah-hem!

By the way, the recipe didn't call for tomatoes, but tomatoes go so well with any summer salad and bring such a burst of color to your creation that it can't go wrong.

I shared this dish with my good friend Diane, who introduced me to this recipe through her friend Trisha.  Trisha couldn't join us, she's in London with the Games. But Diane and I did the next best thing and watched the Opening Night of the Olympic Games while she critiqued the sportswear of the athletes (she's a hotshot professional sportswear designer so she's entitled!) and doted over Paul McCartney while I learned to sew. (I'm looking forward to sharing that project here soon!)

Gorgedly yours,

Most Embarrassing Moment...

It was bound to happen. The chances were not in my favor.  

We spend so much time outside that "relieving" ourselves in the woods is a common,  almost daily occurrence.

But today, today! Oh my! Do I really want to tell you!?

I told Joe and he keeled over with laughter.

Today, I put the older kids on the lookout while Mommy went off the trail to do her business. Well, one of them, I won't say who, but HE was a little too interested in my business rather than keeping a look out that before I knew it, Nene is pointing behind me, whispering there are people behind me. Her face is showing a reserved, bashful countenance so I knew she was serious, but I just didn't want to believe it!

Lo and behold I look and there's a couple taking a seat on a big rock about ten feet above me!!! 

Yes, I dashed out of there as fast as I could pack all the kids in the car.  I don't know what they saw, it is possible they saw nothing but if I never see them again in this lifetime that will be just fine by me!

 

View from Point Defiance Park

Dandelions

The Loves of My Life

Flowers Gathered for Mommy

The Lure of Water

Wild Strawberries, Tart and Sweet. Delicious.

False Lily of the Valley

More Water and Play

A day at the the beach during low tide gets you a load of squid eggs....

 

four red rock crabs to take home for dinner....

 

 

and mud zombies!!!

Animals, Friends and Water

It's been awhile since I have taken the kids to the zoo. I concentrate all our efforts on parks and places away from crowds and I forget the treasure we have that is right here in our city, the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.   So when our homeschool friends posted they were going to the zoo on facebook, I decided to confront my hatred for crowds for the kids' sake and join them.

I spent all my time counting 1,2,3 (all accounted for) and did manage to take a few photos here and there.  The birds stole the show on this particular day from feeding budgies to the playful bobbing puffin and the baby barn sparrows (not part of the exhibits but a good find on Colin's part) who were nesting in the musk ox cabin.

And yes, that's a rat Declan is touching, suspiciously! 

As our grand finale, the kids played in the spray park with their friends and got completely and wonderfully drentched.  I guess I was too busy having fun watching them to take any pics to share. I'm always amazed they don't seem to mind getting wet when it's in the upper sixties that is until it's time to walk to the car and then they don't mind the run.  

Animals, friends and water play. Does it get any better than that for a kid?

Where are the Blueberries?

We made a trip to Charlotte's Blueberry Park, a free city park run by volunteers.  I've known about the park for years but it wasn't until now, in one of my efforts to expose the kids to nature that I took the time to read about the history of the park (which makes for a fascinating read if you have nothing else to do!) and load the kids into the car to visit it for the first time.

I found a web site that mentioned the blueberries were ripe in the first and second week of July of last year but I had my doubts because of our rainy and cloudy June.  But I brought a little bowl, just to stay hopeful.

I should have known the crop wasn't ready when I pulled up to the parking lot and only one other car was there.

We tried. We really tried to fill our bowl but even the ones that weren't green were still in that reddish purplish stage. But that's okay.  I think it was educational for the kids to see the stages of the blueberry growth and now we get to look forward to returning in a few weeks, provided they're not all gone.  The other family in the park warned us that during prime picking season it's impossible to find parking within two blocks.  Maybe we'll have to leave at 7 in the morning to fill our bowl!!!

In the meantime, let the park exploration begin.  Tall grass? Perfect place for little lions to play! Or maybe even find a garter snake!

 

Chalk Play

Fortunately, clean up is easy and fun thanks to hosing everyone and everything down with the hose! Even when a lot of the chalk ends up in the pool and the water becomes murky (ideal for snapping turtle hunting according to Colin), I just add some bleach and voilà all clean again!

Now these are the kind of messes a Mamãe can really live with. And best of all, it's so fun to just watch them, be covered in gooey chalk from head to toe!

Maybe I should just let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

Strawberry Red

Strawberry Reds. That's the color of our stained lips, tongue and hands.  They were smaller than usual this year but ever so tasty and sweet.  No one was delinquent in their vitamin c or folate nutritional quota for the day!

Two busy little hands brought in a flat load together while a third stayed busy emptying my box out.

We celebrated the red with a lot blue and white too! 

With all these beautiful colors I was reminded of how these colors proclaim Your splendor, and the satiating flavors that only the Lord could create bursts from my mouth and makes me want to shout out Your greatness to the world.

Oh, it's good to be here, with my children, with my Lord and in his creation.

 

 

He Restoreth My Soul...

and leadeth me on paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23)

Joe had noticed the change.  Mama was feeling grumpy, the kids were fighting with each other and the home wasn't feeling like a sanctuary.

I had neglected the outdoors for the past two days. We had skipped our nature therapy appointments and we were all quickly spiraling into chaos with Mama leading the way.

He had mentioned a family walk but it was raining.  I complained.  But then, he with his godly wisdom, assured me that I had all the tools. I had poured over the training manuals, I knew what worked. And so I agreed. I succumbed to his rightness and peeled myself out of that hackneyed chair.

This June unpredictable weather.  I yearn for the sun of three days ago that warmed and colored my shoulders. Now they're bundled under a winter coat AND a rain coat.

But the air smells fresh. The oxygen is strong.  We fall in love with the watering of the earth. The children laugh and jump in puddles. My husband extends his arm and we find our sanctuary being together in the comfort of God's creation.

So we continue along the path set before us and he restores our souls.

 

Kobayashi Park

It's always a really good day when noon arrives and all our homeschool and cleaning is done. Thanks in part to some cooperative kids who vacuumed and washed windows and who performed their schoolwork diligently.

So naturally, I build this moment.  I congratulate them. I praise them.  For a Mommy would love to have many, many more days like this.

And as a reward, they get to choose what to do for the rest of day.

Kobayashi Park they agree. (It's a wooded park with a rushing stream) Plus, last summer the kids got accustomed to swinging on the rope that hung over the stream and now that they're a little older and better swimmers they're confident that this year they can let go of the rope. 

Alas, when we arrive at the rope swing we discovered the branch has been cut off with a big "No Swing" sign close by.  Rumor has it someone attracted officials to the area when they camped out with a fire by the swing.  Now the fun seems to be ruined for the rest of us.  

I think it may have turned out to be a blessing since the kids were uneasy of getting themselves fully immersed in the water without that first initial plunge.  

As for my littlest guy, my finicky one who hates cold water as much as Mommy does, throwing rocks was the name of the game for the day.  Is it the plop? Is it the splash? Is it the ripple effect?   Whatever it is, it keeps toddlers very busy!

streamily yours,

 

 

Call of the Wildkids

We love Animal Planet around here.  Unfortunately, for the time being it's the closest to animals we're going to get.  Not that we don't have a heart for these beloved creatures, I would love to own and care for them. I often dream of a dog running through the fields with my kids or some exotic hens that lay blue eggs for the side yard.

But then I get that record scratch wake-up call.  

Who's going to care for them? Me!  And I'm a tad too overwhelmed with this whole parenting thing and raising children with godly character to take on any responsiblity.Maybe one day when I'm confident the kids will properly and consistently care for the animals themselvs, and maybe one day when FlyLady's schedule is perfected, or another day when the kids finish homeschool within three hours and yet another day when I'm up to date with creating new choreography for my zumba class. Then I'll consider.  

Joe agrees and has added that when it's dark and rainy (which happens a lot around here!) it will fall on his shoulders to walk the dog at 6am in the morning.  He's not too happy about that prospect, he already has a job!

I must sound really pathetic right now for any animal lovers out there!

Sorry, it's our season in life.  One day.

In the meantime, Animal Planet suits this urban family just fine right now.  I have to say what I appreciate so much about allowing the kids to watch these programs, such as Call of the Wildman, is the respect and honor given to animals that my kids are learning even without caring or having a relationship with an animal.

Today during their hours of unstructed play, did they watch video games or battleit out as Batman?What's that they would say! Colin and Thalia decided to re-enact the latest episode of the Wildman and remove snapping turtles from a farmer's pond.

 They used their imagination. They worked together. They giggled.  And they rescued three imaginary snapping turtles from murky muddy depths of our pool!

savingly yours,

 

Low-Tide Extravaganza

The tide was scheduled to be -3.9 on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge shores at 12:29 on June 5th. The lowest tide of the year.  

It should be a great day to find some hidden critters in the Puget Sound.  So let's go and meet some homeschool friends at Titlow Beach and explore together.  

Turns out the entire Tacoma Public School District had the same idea. Just look at the crowd! There must have been half a dozen school buses greeting us at the parking lot.

As I've grown older, I've also grown an aversion for crowds and once I saw this crowd the thought of returning home popped in my head but the kids, well they're like me when I was that age. They love crowds and they were ready to jump in and discover.

And find them we did! Turns out when there's a lot more hands there's a lot more good finds. 

 

 Talk about more hands find greater finds.  One of the Dads of a public school kid was a scuba diver. So he geared himself up and dove into the water with two huge nets and brought out some more critters we would have never seen on the shores.  Schwooop!! We all swarmed the poor guy as we goggled his treasures.  And his daughter, the one he did this all for, was no where in sight as he kept calling her to see his finds.  I think the crowd shoved her out as crowds have a tendency to do. And I, being part of the crowd started feeling a little guilty especially when the mother gave me a dirty look.  So sorry. I do get overly excited when it comes to wanting to show God's world to my children.  Really, so sorry. I hope we get a chance to do this again and I promise I'll be more sensitive! And this coming from someone who says she doesn't like crowds, right?! 

Check out what he brought of the Sound.

As the tide started rising the crowds made a mad exodus back to the school buses and us homeschoolers got to stay at the park.  One of the gems of homeschooling I say!

Finding Friends was the highlight for these two girls. After exploring the beach and playing at the park for over three hours the Mommies finally announced it was time to go, to which they lamented in response, "Aaah, can't we stay a little longer!  Can she come over to our house?"

Oh such a good day!

I'm so thankful for homeschool friends and other parents and teachers who made this day so educational and enjoyable.  We're all petered out now from a great day and I must get some sleep myself.  I'll do that just as soon as I find this cricket that's chirping inside my bedroom.

exploringly yours,

 

For My Bigfoot-Day Four

We're on our final day of festivities, celebrating the best and unrivaled eight year's of our lives. Celebrating our beloved firstborn Colin.

We start out by wishing him a happy birthday, to which he responds. "It's not my birthday yet, I wasn't born until 3:17 in the afternoon."  Okay, we say amusedly we'll wait to tell you this afternoon.  Sometimes he can be a stickler for the rules.  Other times, he ignores them completely!

After watching airplanes take-off and land for awhile we set off to Silver Star Mountain in Southern Washington.  The GPS says it's twenty miles away but it will take close to two hours to get there.  The dirt roads are windy, narrow and littered with ominous potholes.  I clench tightly to the safety handle above my seat as we inch our way over these trenches in our sedan. It's at these moments I wish we had a truck! If I had been driving alone with the kids I would have found a way to turn back even if I had to drive in reverse for a mile.  But Joe didn't hesitate and he pushed forward on this thrilling adventure. Finally after traversing one lane bridges, and praying we don't meet an outgoing car we arrived at the "Stairway to the Stars" trailhead.

Out of all the peaks in the Cascade Range, Colin has been wanting to visit this location and it's not hard to guess why if you know my boy! Yes, there was a bigfoot sighting at this location and it was premiered on the Animal Planet's television show, "Finding Bigfoot" .  I blame that show for all this Bigfoot fascination by the way.  He outgrew the cartoons on PBS and Disney's Phineas and Ferb so I allowed him to watch Animal Planet because I certainly didn't want him to watch SpongeBob Square Pants!  SpongeBob Square Pants vs. Bigfoot!  No contest!

It was an amazing hike for the whole family.  The views were so beautiful I kept falling behind as I just had to photograph one more mountain and one more wildflower!  Thalia of course started picking me a bouquet, it was heaven for her too.  Declan studied the back of Joe's neck (no really, he called me to show a spot on the back of his neck!) and Joe trekked two miles with an extra thirty five pounds on his back.  Yes, I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again. He's a stud!

And Colin was intensely peering through his new binoculars, sending out bigfoot calls and on the lookout for the exact location pictured on the Finding Bigfoot episode.  Once we found the spot, we think we did anyways, we had to re-enact the scene with his bigfoot shoes (he had carried them in his backpack for a visual aid). Uh-huh! He had it all planned out.

Even though we didn't see a bigfoot, hear a bigfoot or see any evidence of a bigfoot, we were all thrilled to be there, breathing the "big" air and just being.  Thankful for the time we could have being together and admiring God's great creation.

 

 

It was cloudy on the way up so we couldn't see Mt. Hood yet. But it's there hidden in white.

This was the closest image of a bigfoot we saw.  Actually, it looks more like a gingerbread man to me! Do you see it in the image above?

"The Hills are Alive.....with the hunt for Bigfoots! My Heart wants to sing...when I shake his hand! Aa-aa-aah!"

Leaving footprints behind! He's such a little hoaxer too!

Mt. Adams in the background, looking north.

The Columbia River and Oregon in the background.

Mt. St. Helens was still covered by clouds at the end of our hunt.

So we decided to hang out, snack, rest a bit and wait to see if more of the clouds burned off. 

But someone decided to throw a tantrum on top of the mountain and I can't quite remember why. Was it because we ran out of fruit leather?

Mommy, can I eat the snow? Why sure I say! Let's bring some syrup next time and make sno-cones!

Mt. Hood found its way out from behind the clouds. How spectacular!

On our way back to the car and Mt. St. Helen's is still covered in clouds.  By the time we were back in the hotel though, we had a picture perfect view of the cloudless Mt. 

Driving down the mountain, we're still on the lookout for sasquatch evidence! Could he be drinking some water here!?  Just a little bit of family fun!

After we left the forest and we're driving back to the hotel,  I just happen to glance at the car clock and it reads exactly 3:17.  "Happy Birthday, Colin!"

celebratorily yours,

 

Flowers for Mommy

We've arrived at a park.  I quickly become preoccupied with finding that essential spot where I can lay down the picnic blanket and keep a good eye's view of all three children as they scatter in different directions.

As I'm busily warning one not to lose their shoes in the mud, Nene comes from behind, "Mommy, I picked some flowers for you!"

I've been trying to photograph all those wildflowers in memory of her delightful heart gestures. And what a big heart that little baby girl of mine has ! This little girl with the love language of giving.   Reflecting on this demonstrative gesture encourages me to offer her some flowers .  I wonder how she'll react!?

yours florally,

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

On Friday we were pretty booked with ballet practice and women's conference but since it was a glorious day without a cloud in the sky and wonderfully warm, we decided to pile more activities (all good of course!) into our day.  

The outdoors were beckoning.

In particular, the mountains were inviting.

Colin also felt a temptation.  A temptation for squatching.

Outdoors plus mountains plus squatching equals Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  And in case your interested in this little factoid Colin informed me of, it's a prime location for the squatch sitings. Exciting right?

Did I mention it's an hour and half drive (each way) to drive there from my home?  Going to the wooded park around the corner, where you can see both the Olympics and the Cascades would have made the day too easy I suppose!!

But I couldn't let my boy dow.

These are the things a Mommy loves to do for her son.

Below you'll find some instagram photos of our day.  I was a good organized girl and charged the battery to my phone and packed up my camera.  At the park, when I pulled the camera out I discovered I had left the battery at home.  I wasn't feeling very organized right then!  But I just had to chuckle because this wasn't the first time it happened nor will it be the last. 

Squatch Water Source: Check

Squatch Food Source: Check  No! My junior squatch wouldn't dare!

Squatch love of space and forest: Check

Squatch View of Mt Rainier: Check  Wait, where did it go? I swear when we were there we could see it!!!!  Blame it on Instagram or the absolute perfectly clear day where the glacier capped mountain just blended into the sky!

Squatch Playground: Check

Squatch Tree Hugger: Check!

yours, cryptically