Preparing For Preschool

Night before Thomas starts to preschool
One of the books of the night: My First Day Of Preschool
















Playtime before school..... "This is one crowded highway!"










Once Thomas saw the camera, he started saying cheese...
HereThomas is giving Jackson instructions to say "cheese"!

Thomas and Jackson lovin' it up before Thomas leaves for school for the first time

Dad Jim sharing a laugh at "shoe time"

Jackson (4) and I got to have a "Grammy and Me Day" since his PreK class didn't start until the next day. He's an old hand at preschool, moving into the PreK class for the first time this year.

We played this great game, Zingo, baked blackberry crumble dessert, had French Toast, and enjoyed a beautiful day!

Good Byes To Bellingham

Lori Byerlin, a great neighbor and friend, working on the fish tacos for a delicious dinner!



















Elizabeth giving Lori a hand






























Blackberry picking with Thomas and Jackson....notice the very purple faces!!!























The best we could do for a full family photo!!
Amy, Maxwell, Suzanne, Elizabeth, Jackson, Jim and Thomas









A beautiful sunset from Alabama Hill neighborhood where my daughters both live. Look carefully and you'll see Bellingham Bay in the distance.

Maxwell's First Kayaking Adventure

My grandson Maxwell had a rough start to life on June 22, 2005. He was born prematurely with a genetic syndrome called CHARGE. His first six months were in Seattle Children's Hospital with several surgeries including open heart surgery. For more about his challenging and joyous journey, check out the Mighty Max Blog.

He is an amazing little boy, learning something new everyday! I loved being with him this summer and seeing all his new accomplishments.

He enjoyed his first time out in the water. He was so relaxed that near the end of the paddle, he fell asleep (as you'll see in one of the photos).
In this photo are Thomas, Jackson, and Maxwell
before going out in the kayaks.



















Jim and Elizabeth get the three-man kayak into the water















Maxwell with Mama Amy, Cousin Thomas, and Uncle Jim











Meeting up with Aunt Elizabeth and Cousin Jackson













Aunt Elizabeth and Cousin Jackson













Uncle Jim, Mama Amy, and Maxwell asleep

Sweet kisses for Maxwell from Mama Amy

Simple Things

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.
- Henry David Thoreau

Nothing is more simple than greatness, to be simple is to be great.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some parents think that children need sophisticated activities, toys, and trips. Sometimes it's the simple things that bring the most joy to them. Here is Thomas at Squalicum Harbor during a simple walk we took there. Below are more photos of simple moments witnessed during my summer in Bellingham, WA.

What simple things could you add to your life that take very little time and money and could bring you peace and joy?

Thomas digging the bark in the park

Maxwell at the park

Maxwell in the swing at the park

Joy of Jackson's life, the dinosaurs!

Train time for Thomas on the porch

Gulf Beach

Nature Beats The Newest Exercise Equipment!

Suzanne with grandsons
Jackson and Thomas

More rocks than I've ever seen on one beach!
This morning my son-in-law Jim and my two grandsons and I took a walk on Gulf Beach near Bellingham. Some sections of the beach had big rocks, some very small, and some medium size. Depending on the actions of the surf, the smooth rocks had eroded accordingly.

Walking a long distance on the uneven rocks is quite strenuous exercise. It reminded me of the new exercise technique used by some celebrities that has you walk on a machine that is constantly moving to throw you off balance. You have to use your core and many muscles to steady yourself constantly. The walk on the beach was certainly a full body workout!

Physical exercise has a significant effect on our brains. With the growing incidence of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, it's wise to work your body now to keep the
connections in the brain growing and thriving.

Check out the article on exercise on the Exuberant Productivity|Healthy Bottom Line blog

Seneca




















Cool teepee on the beach
















Great rest stop!




















Some pretty beach flowers

















Son-in-law Jim loaded up with Jackson on shoulders and Thomas in backpack














Wild blackberries starting to ripen

NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FAIR!

Grandson Jackson (4) studying the map of the fair and pointing out the various places we should visit
















Van loaded up with three kids in car seats and four adults











We're ready to get started on our fair adventure!













First time for Jackson to go on a ride all by himself!












Elizabeth with Jackson and Thomas ready to fly the plane!
















Hmmmm....these are interesting french fries! (curly fries)
Maxwell (2)















A great, furry ewe















Thomas (2) in the goat pen

(One of the 4-H girls invited him in to play with her goats...pretty special!!)














Snooze time














Guess it's good to the last crumb!

















Oh, the joy of being on a tractor!
















What a way to end the fair - Funnel Cake with powdered sugar!

Raspberry and Blueberry Picking

Raspberry and Blueberry Picking

One of the best treats while I was growing up was picking raspberries from my Nana's raspberry patch. That's probably why it is something I LOVE to do now.

My twin daughters and I went on Saturday morning With raspberry season nearly over, the berries were super ripe and delicious, but very perishable.

Blueberry bushes were loaded with fruit and easy to pick. We've enjoyed them just plain, in yogurt parfaits, on cereal, and....in blueberry crisp!












My daughter Amy picking blueberries
















My daughter Elizabeth is filling her bucket with blueberries.
Yes, Elizabeth and Amy are twins!


















Blueberries were thick on the vine!















Amy and Suzanne with the raspberries and three flats of blueberries




















Weighing station for all the pickers!

















Gorgeous onions in their market....shiny and colorful!