Locals do Seattle

We decided to take the boys to Seattle for Father's Day weekend and just be tourists. We did the Seattle Center, Pacific Science Center, Space Needle, and Pike Place Market. It would have been even more enjoyable had it been warm and sunny, but we didn't let chilly and rainy weather stop us. Every time Michael saw a taxi, he said, "Look, Logan, there's another cash cab." We have some Discovery fans in our family.
Michael had a great time feeling all the fish at the Market, and we got to see several flying fish thanks to some tourists who must have shelled out over $500 on salmon and halibut.

Boys of the summer

We joined some friends at Bowman Bay for an evening picnic.


Logan gave this picture to his teacher in his thank-you letter, with a note assuring her that dreams can come true.
Michael's t-ball medal ceremony. A bit anti-climatic, but he was none the wiser.

Last Day of School

Our annual trip to the Snowgoose for mammoth ice cream cones. The boys are wearing shorts but I was wearing a cahmere sweater and was still cold. It's June 21st today(yes, summer solstice) and I'm wearing fleece. I guess I'd rather be pale and cold than clammy from humidity.
"Graduation" from Mrs. Strainer's kindergarten class. What will we do without Mrs. Strainer?
Michael reading a poem to the parents. He had it memorized but since the other kids "read" theirs, he said he didn't want to just recite it.
Signing autographs with friends.

Father's Day prep

Brian had two offices this year, and we noticed that he didn't have a pencil cup on one of his desks. Since he'll be at two schools next year, the boys decided to paint desk things for him for Father's Day.
Mamma Mia. This might seem like a special occasion, given the fancy shirt and heels, but no, it's literally a daily affair. Michael gyrates and grooves to "Does Your Mother Know" and "Gimme a Man After Midnight" each evening after dinner. Even Logan, who makes a habit of denying that Michael is related to him, enjoys the shows.

Pacific Science Center in Seattle

Best friend du jour, Eric Kumar. There are days when the drama of raising an 8 year old boy surpasses that of bringing up a teenaged girl. sigh.



Logan's Challenge class(just the 2nd graders) got to go to the Pacific Science Center with the other second grade classes. This was huge because normally they don't get to go with the other classes. I deleted almost all of the pics with Logan making the "rock on" sign, but had to keep one just to prove to him later in life that when he was eight, he truly acted his age.


The IMAX movie was the HUBBLE; super cool and very interesting, although I think myself and the other chaperones got more out of the narration than the kids did.

Nearly finished kitchen

Here it is in all its glory. This is dedicated to those far away who won't be able to see it for awhile. We still have a few finishing touches: hardware, base trim in places. But it's a working kitchen and we LOVE it. Keith has now moved to the mudroom. New ceiling, walls, floor, and tile around the utility sink. The last touch is for Gramma.

miscellaneous leftovers

Two front teeth gone in 2 days: 1 was taken by the tooth fairy and 1 ended up in Michael Patrick's stomach. He was fine with both events. Yes, that's Obi-Wan-Kenobi's robe he's donning.
Boys in trees. It never gets old.
No rain cancellations in Anacortes. If there were, we'd never have any events.
Michael's end-of-the-year field trip. Despite rain that morning, the kindergarten class walked to Storvik Park, played their hearts out, and had a super fun(not necessarily nutritious) potluck lunch. And, at 6, MPH sill looks like the Campbell's soup boy.

Spring Sports

Just watching the dandelions grow.




This spring, Michael chose t-ball and Logan chose track... good choices for both of them, it turns out. We were actually relieved when Logan said he didn't want to do baseball as that would have meant a longer season and more practices per week, something that is just really hard with his homework load. Michael had a blast and gave every practice and game his all. His sincerity kills me. He just worked hard all season.
Logan, too, was in heaven. He's turned into a true runner, constantly trying to beat his previous times. At the beginning of the year, his mile time was 7:14, which impressed the heck out of me for a 7 year old. As the year progress, he shaved it down to a 6:44. He took 3 first place ribbons and 1 second place at his final track meet (out of 5 events). I don't understand how a kid can run so fast and manage to smile the whole time. Ahhhh, the boundless energy of youth.