Independence

It was a beautiful weekend here--the heat spell broke and we enjoyed gorgeous summer weather, and some lazy, meandering, puttering and fun summer adventures! 

A 4th of July Parade at a small town south of here. Small town Americana, Norman Rockwellian-like stuff, this here parade. 

Although I'm pretty sure no other small town, and fairly certain no Rockwell has a Duck-inspired Fire Truck:

Waiting for fireworks...

And what better way to pass the time than with birthday cake for our dear friend Ruby who shares a birthday with our country. She's just a few years younger.

Made our way to the library to (finally) sign up for summer reading and get our first big load of summer books, some chocolate milk and quality time with this guy:

In the library courtyard...

 Playtime at the park

 ...and we set up the tent in our living room for a cozy, mid-summer sleep....

The Cupcake Dance

Click here to see our Cupcake Dance :) Just thought it was time to update you on the dance moves.

summer solstice

We decided it would be fun to spend the longest day of the year at a lake. We also thought it would be fun to go explore a new little corner of our state. So... this weekend: camping at Detroit Lake! 

 Winnie, Jez and Julie floating on the lake with the snow-capped Mount Jefferson in the distance 

(it looked a lot closer in person--beautiful!). 

 And, the eternal highlight of any camping trip we ever take...(we could probably save ourselves a lot of gas and schlepping by building a bonfire in the backyard and getting some marshmallows). :)

It was a great way to officially welcome summer, even if we did wake up to raindrops on our tent fly this morning... Ah, Oregon. 

FOUR! (Yeah. It means "WATCH OUT! when it you spell it this way, too).

I'm four. I am sassy and incredibly loving. I am deeply sensitive (I will cry, long and hard if I see a dead bug) and I have a belly laugh that will make anyone smile (Winona brings it out most often). I am very giving (I got three packs of gum for my birthday--Winnie got one as a consolation-sorry-it's-not-your-birthday-gift. Winona was fine with this, but I did the math, then gave her one of my packs, saying, "Now we both have two.") When I kiss you, I grab the back of your head, push it hard against mine and hold our lips in a locked position until one of us can no longer breathe. Do not ever underestimate me. I know what you're saying. Always. (Unless it's that thing about cleaning up. What are you TALKING about?)

I can stick out my lower lip, bunch up my fists, punch down my arms and stomp away with Academy Award winning style. I will tell you, in no uncertain terms EXACTLY what's on my mind and although I do not know or use cuss words, my tone alone can give you the very definite impression that I do. (The look on Mom and Dad's faces in these moments is priceless. They still aren't quite sure what to do with me sometimes. I love those times.)  I cry hard and furiously... and then I'm over it. If someone offers an alternative or a solution, I'm all over it. 

I'm determined. Funny. Forgiving. spunky and suprising. I'm bold and boisterous--as my name says I will be. AND! I'm FOUR!!! 

 I am also the luckiest four year old on the planet, because I have the best 7 year old sister. Here's the card she made me for my birthday.

 Bday picnic! Mom's camera ran out of batteries, but we're overlooking one of the most gorgeous stretches on the OR coast. 

 Before leaving town, I got presents-- boy, did I ever: 

 This is a batman movie. (Winona is less thrilled).

 Awesome funky animal building blocks!

Watch out, world. FOUR!! 

 

Uncles, Dunes and Rainy Days

Hello again! Time to catch you all up on the goings on in the Pacific Northwest!

We went to go see sesame street LIVE! 

Uncle Todd came to visit! We did a lot of this...

 

Jezebel taught Uncle Todd his ABCs in sign language...

And he has the funniest voice recording and play back game on his phone! 

This Memorial Day Weekend, the sun is shining off and on, so we headed out for a day at the coast. We found boat rental, a little beach, and some dunes and had a great day!

 (Ok, so maybe mom and dad were right-- it's a little too cold to swim; but we had to find out for ourselves)

Next day, some Putt Putt...

 ...and today, the rains are here again, so it's superhero puzzles

                                                 

...and book reports.

                                                 

Now, we turn our attentions to the end of school year events and winding up for summer camp, camping and summer adventure!! 

                                             

Love to everyone! 

City Mice, Country Mice

A couple of weekends ago, we headed up to Portland to see some dear friends and check out the Children's Museum. Good thing we did, or this skunk and doxen might not have made it. 

 Winnie joined me for a Rotary night at Food For Lane County. We bagged a LOT of cereal. 

 Saturday Market is Open For Business! 

 We visited some friends "in the country" and ran through their stunning gardens pretending to be fairies, playing hide and go seek and enjoying the gorgeous weather.

 Today, we headed out to find a perfect picnic spot. Found it!

 "I know I caught a fish. Where IS it?"