a little news about Naomi

Naomi's newest favorite snack- a whole avocado, peeled carefully. It makes her muzzle quite slimy , but she adores it.

Naomi is growing like crazy, and of course learning and doing all sorts of new things. She has really been into biking lately, and has challenged herself on the Lake Youngs Trail- wanting to go faster and further each time. It is so fun to run with her and watch her getting better and feeling great about it... She has become an awesome rider!

Naomi is also making gains in spelling and reading. As a kid, and a younger sister, she has been hearing "secret" things spelled out by adults for years, and has made a mission of figuring them out. She's been pretty good at certain things. In fact, when she was two, she used to ask for "C-A-N-D-Y." So the other day, she overheard Eva and me discussing when and how a package would arrive, and she thought she was missing out on something when we mentioned the "USPS." Not about to be left in the dark, she rushed over and yelled out, "I know what you're talking about!! Us pus!" We're not pulling the wool over her eyes anytime soon, right?

mid-week getaway to the beach

Last week the kids and I had the privilege of taking a mini-vacation in the middle of the week to Leslie and J's beach house on Hood Canal. It was 28 hours of adventurous beach combing, laughter and relaxation. Uncle J rowed the kids out onto the Canal twice. They enjoyed seeing Blue Herons in their nests, and an Osprey feeding it's babies a snake. J is good about sharing his knowledge with the kids, and they are happy recipients of this first-hand education.

Eva found this piece of Sea Lasagna (I don't know what it's really called) and, after noting all the other life growing on it, decided it was best suited as a fashion piece.

Jellyfish are always good to find- fun to gross out the squeamish. Eva said, "I was going to make some eggs, anybody want some?"

Here Josiah is contemplating and discussing with J the pros and cons of letting his crab go. The cons, of course, being that he loved it and he wanted it as a pet. The pros included the fact that the crab would be free and could live. While thinking about it's fate, he spent a little time training it, "No pinch! No pinch Crabby!" He finally made the decision to release it, but the main thought was that he had trained it so well, he could let it go and it would grow and then come back to him years later, much bigger and better to eat.

Bo had an awesome time roaming the beach and carrying clam shells and driftwood here and there. He did not have much success befriending the two little old lady dogs Zoe and Katie, but he gets points for persistence! That's a puppy for you.

Naomi made this balance game out of a half-hollow log.

For dinner we went to pizza in nearby Belfair. Leslie and J gave the kids some coins for the vending machines, where some major decisions were made. (Each kid came away with a gumball in each cheek, among other things.) Naomi was pleased with the little pink monkey that came out for her- the last time she was there, years ago, she came away with an ugly little man complete with a mullet, mustache, sneer, keg with hose and beer stein. She had wanted the pretty princess little girl. She named the little man Lemenen, and despite his unloved status, he is still at large in our house. He turns up here or there every few months.

After dinner we went back at played a little, then the kids went in to watch "Dennis the Menace" with Leslie. I took Bo out for some exercise before bedtime, and I could hear them all laughing from way out on the beach! The evening light was beautiful, and the sunset so calming. I was finally able to get a "looking" picture of Bo! Usually he runs at me to get the camera strap! I insisted that he stay, and he did, though he looks rather mystified...

Maybe no one else will see this, but I saw a lion and a lamb in the clouds above.

I was enjoying all the contrasts the fading light provided- bright flowers and flags against the dark clouds and last sunlight.

We all went home relaxed and refreshed by our stay at the beach. It was just the thing.

currently happening- abundant life

On Saturday it rained for a few minutes, and then cleared to a nice light for photos. I thought I would take the camera out and capture all that is changing around here.

There is new growth everywhere around our place... The puppy, the plants, the insects... Even the kids are growing at an alarming rate... I cannot keep them full!

Below, one of the many Borage plants that seeded itself from last years single planting....

The theme of this garden bed (above and below) is all shades and textures of green, and a bit of orange and yellow- also know as "always room for one more."

Creeping Jenny streaking through the Woolly Thyme

The strawberries are blooming prolifically...

Artichoke- a repeat performer from last year too.

Three little zucchinis

An organic lettuce mix... looking forward to trying the freckled leaves...

Kale with beautiful magenta stems. At least it looks good- I'll be the only one eating it, chances are...

Lily, keeping us in suspense

Peas, starting their climb

Lupines, spread beyond their plot from last summer...

And below, lovely dogwood blossoms. These always remind me of my Grandma Millie as they are some of her favorite flowers. The first photo was taken a few weeks ago- the second two just last week... I love their transformation- I'm not sure which stage is most beautiful, but the whole show is amazing.

The first rose blossom of the year, on my "Julia Child" rose bush.

A good old standby Rhody- the neighbors say this one used to be as big as a small house!

My herb garden- totally wild this year. Naomi's chives, which she likes to snack on and subsequently torture people with her onion / dragon breath, are nearly squeezed out by the aggressive oregano and thyme. They will have to be moved so she can continue her sinister tradition.

We have been studying invertebrates, and most recently, insects. I ordered Painted lady butterfly caterpillars, and we receive d them in the mail and watched them eat, grow, change into chrysalises, and the emerge butterflies. They whole process was incredible, and awfully fun to watch close up. The children enjoyed it immensely, and had a controlled situation in which to observe what they'd learned first hand. Of course they often find and observe bugs on their own, but having them for such a long period and watching their life cycle was quite different. I would highly recommend this activity for anyone- child or adult!

Two chrysalises are still hanging- three have emerged butterflies.

Time to release the butterflies outside. The kids decided they would like the small herb flowers. They were correct.

Naomi helped one to come out of the container- she was so thrilled to be holding it, ever so gently, a few minutes before it flew away.

Look closely above- you can see the little black proboscis (straw-like tounge) reaching out for a thyme flower.

It would be so exciting to come across Painted Lady caterpillars in the yard somewhere, and to think that perhaps they came from "our" butterflies. Of course it may not be so, but you never know. I know at least three little people who would have no doubts!