A Day with Papa

Each year, while vising Quincy, Savannah requests a trip to the desert. Papa always jumps at the opportunity. After growing up in a sea of sagebrush, I am surprised at how much it interests Savannah. I guess it is something we never see where we live which makes it prime for exploration on our trips out West.

This year, Savannah surfed and turfed with Papa. They visited a buffalo farm in the middle of the desert where Savannah became friendly with a dog - quite surprising. While at the farm, she was able to learn about the taxidermy process.

Next, they headed out into some more sagebrush to overlook the Columbia river. The water looked pretty nice so they headed down to Crescent Bar to play on the beach.   While down at the Crescent Bar, they hit the golf course and ice cream shop too!

One would think this is enough for a special Papa outing but one, very kind, man did not.  While Savannah and Papa were on the boat dock checking out the boats (something that Savannah claims to be afraid of) a man who owned a jet ski asked if Papa and Savannah wanted to take it for ride.  Without hesitation, Savannah hopped on and took quite the ride with her Papa.  What a suprise opportunity for both of them.

I'm sure Savannah will never forget this special day with her Papa!

Gymnastics Anyone?

Spokane

After a night in Pullman, sans kids, we met my parents and the girls in Spokane.  It has many wonderful activities for young kids in it's river front park area that Alex and I were not aware of from our earlier years in the area.  It is the same park where Mommy and Daddy got engaged.  The girls were able to visit the world's largest Radio Flyer wagon, feed ducks, ride a carousel, and play in the water fountains.  Lila especially enjoyed the ducks.  She held out a piece of bread and before she knew it, a goose took it right out of her hands.  She tried to feed the ducks out of her hands but the geese were too strong of a presence for her.

We also went on our first family ferris wheel ride.  It absolutely terrified me as I was stuck at the top with Savannah and Adeline in an old fashioned seat that rocked back and forth.  I tried very hard to put a smile on my face after telling Savannah to not move a muscle and make the chair rock.  Once we were going around it was fun to watch Daddy and Lila down below in their seat.  I was surprised that the girls weren't scared since the seats were so open and rocky.  After the ferris wheel, the girls hopped on a couple of other rides solo.  They are getting so old.  I just can't believe that they are comfortable riding solo.  Where did my babies go?

After a nice night in the hotel, we visited the local children's museum.  The girls had a great time with all of the exhibits and engaged in a lot of role play.  I love how they play together at times like this.  We ended the trip at our Mommy and Daddy's favorite restaurant for a quiet lunch before our two hour drive home.

We had a great time!  I marvel at how different my life is now in comparison to ten years ago.

Trip Down Memory Lane

While in Washington, Alex and I decided to go back and visit Washington State University (my undergrad and grad, and his grad school).  It had been ten years!!  The kids stayed with my parents and while we revisited our premarital stomping grounds.  We enjoyed seeing our old apartments, department buildings and, most of all, navigating our way through a town we lived in for many years.  Luck had it that our good friends from graduate school still live in the area.  We were able to crash at their place after a nice authentic Mexican meal and visit to our favorite pub.

Possibly, the most enlightening part of the trip, was our introduction to yard games.  Sue and Jon have many and Molkki, a Finnish throwing game, was my favorite.  We plan to incorporate it into our outdoor life at home - it was really fun!!.  Here are some pictures of our competition.

Pool Time

Now that we are on the sunny side of Washington, the girls are enjoying a lot of pool time.  Oddly enough, they seem to still have fun in the backyard pool as well.  All three girls were splashing around in it today.  Unfortunately, I didn't get my camera until the big girl had already climbed out.  She had decided to dry off on her little sister's bike.

Drawing

Savannah bought her sisters some birthday stickers a few days ago.  They came in handy as I was able to get my not so willing artist to do something other than "coloring colors."  Lila loves to color large spotches of color on a page but rarely comes up with a story on her paper.  Today was different.  I asked her if she wanted to draw herself at her birthday party.  Immediately, Lila drew her head.  She added all the appropriate facial details and even some crazy hair.  Next, she added a belly and arms and legs.  The stickers were the best part.  She enjoyed putting balloons in her hand a cake in the other.  I didn't touch a marker but was there to give her ideas along the way.  I thought it turned out pretty good.

After she was done, I asked her if she wanted to draw Bobby, our cat, on his birthday.  She started drawing a head and belly as if she was making a person.  I quickly drew a circle and oval on another sheet of paper which helped Lila organize Bobby's body on her second try.  She decorated it with stickers and was pretty proud of her creation.

Point Defiance Zoo

While the sun was shining and the rain clouds were at bay, we decided to join our cousins for a day that the Point Defiance Zoo.  It was one of the rare opportunities we have to be together as a group.  Too bad Daddy had to stay behind and work.

Upon arrival, it was clear the kids were going to enjoy the play equipment more than anything.  Once we pried them off, they found interest in the baby tigers being licked by their mama.   The tarantula and touch and feel sea life tank ranked high as well.  After we sufficiently got our wiggles out we headed to the carousel for a quick ride before heading home.  Once again, the zoo proved to be a great outing.