Good morning, sunshine!

This is a typical morning at our house. Henry and Grace chat and like big, hot breakfasts. Olivia needs sugar and solitude, so she builds a little wall around herself with her sugar-laden products. I don't stress about her sugar intake, because she is the healthiest eater I have, aside from that first morning rush. Where's Jack? He usually stumbles downstairs when the others are having lunch.

We're trying to cram as much outdoor activity in as we can, with the rainy season around the corner. Aside from no Target or Costco or good ethnic food, living here definitely has it's advantages. A few days ago we hit this trail on the south end of the island. The kids had a blast, and no one complained of the long hike.

Only 11 days until school starts. I'm going to keep myself from moping next week by planning lots of outings and activities. And chores. Lots and lots of chores, so the little angels will be happy to go back to school.

The Dancing Ottoman Queen

Feel the beat from the TRAMPOLIIIINE!!!!!

Henry and Steve the Pretty Good

Henry volunteers at the Fair.

And the livin' is easy

We've been very busy doing important stuff this summer. This is the Riverfront Park Carousel in beautiful Spokane. As you can see, the girls hated it. They quickly discovered that a metal slide in 100 degree weather isn't as fun as it looks.

We also picked Jack up from camp. I'm glad he wears glasses, because it was the only way I could find him in the sea of filthy children. You can guess how he smells by the look on Henry's face. He said he ran out of clothes on the third day because he kept jumping in the lake in his clean clothes. Also. One shower. All week. And I had to drive home with him and the dog in the front seat for seven hours.

Picking huckleberries at the lake.

Another new development in the family: piercings!

Grace has been wanting to get her ears pierced for a long time, but every time we go to the piercing place, she changes her mind. Nana tried to convince her to do it by calling her a chicken. This pissed Henry off so much that he took his own money and convinced his dad (not easy) that he should be allowed to do it, and damn if he didn't get his ear pierced. Nobody puts baby in a corner or calls Grace a chicken. Apparently.

And the next day:

She didn't even flinch, either.


Next up, the Island County Fair:

Yep, we let them go on the death-traps they call rides this year, but my heart (and wallet) could only take a few rides before I put a stop to it.

We had five chickens in the fair and got four blue and one red ribbon. Jack did very well in his first show, getting first runner up. You can see how excited he is.

We've been doing other stuff, too, like swimming lessons. Grace and Olivia started out in the same class but by the time it was over, Olivia passed Henry. Grace may or may not have been hampered by the fact that when they told her to do the "crawl", she actually crawled like a baby in the water. Also, during water safety day they were teaching the kids to throw a towel to someone who was "drowning" and pull them to safety. Grace just threw the guy the towel.

Priest Lake

I know I've been absent. Very busy doing important stuff like this. Will probably be back soon, or later. Whatever. Don't wait up.

"Jack, how'd you get to be so handsome?" I teased, when he was giving me a full-braces cheesy smile.

"It's not genetics. Good looks aren't even common in my family."