Animal Adventures

Yesterday Nathan caught a "whip tail lizard" in the playroom! AnneMarie told me what kind of lizard it was, I'm not sure about that. We put it in our old fish tank. It's the one in the front with the blue tail, the one in the back is a toy. The kids gave it a live spider, a dead cricket, and some berries to eat. It mostly seemed interested in getting out, although it couldn't climb the smooth sides of the tank. We intended to keep it overnight and let it go in the morning. We told the kids that we did not know how to take care of a wild lizard and it would be healthier for the lizard to live outside. AnneMarie got worried about it in the night and let it go sometime after bedtime. We heard the front door open and close and she had put the lizard outside. Jack was quite upset!

This morning, we opened the blinds to look out into the backyard and saw this falcon eating. It was cool to see such a big bird so close! I had seen a falcon soaring around the neighborhood last week, maybe this was the same one. We watched it for a long time, it was very intent on it's meal. Based on what was left behind, I believe it was eating a young dove.

First Day of First Grade!

Just a few pictures I took of AnneMarie this morning as we were getting ready for school. She chose her own outfit, I am almost certain she wore this skirt on the first day last year (I'll have to check those pictures). Over the last year she has grown taller, but not much thicker, so most of last year's school clothes still fit. Combine that with the more relaxed dress code, and I didn't actually have to buy any school clothes yet. I bought those pink sandals ($4 at Target) and a package of socks. When the weather turns colder we may have to pick up a few things.
Our morning was totally relaxed, thanks to starting school 45 minutes later this year. I am not too excited about getting home so much later, but it sure does make for an easy morning for us.

My model got increasingly "posey" as we went along.

Of course, I forgot to bring the camera to the bus stop. These shots were taken by my friend.

Here is AnneMarie with her friend Hannah, also a first grader. They have not been in the same class yet, but it is great having a friend just down the street!

AnneMarie relaxes while we wait for the bus!

The bus stop crowd. I am in the background with another (grand)parent.

AnneMarie gives a smile just before getting on the bus.
When she arrived home, she reported that "First grade is the funnest!" Some of the best things were that she sits next to her friend Jarod, who she already knew was in the class. She was pleased to find some other friends there too: Corey, Joseph A., and Tanya. She was also excited that "everyone has their own deskses!" In kindergarten they sat at tables that didn't have any storage, so to have an actual desk is a step up. Of course, the first day was only a half day, so we'll see how much she likes it after a full day tomorrow.

First Soccer Practice

AnneMarie was hamming it up last night after her first soccer practice for Rio Rancho Soccer Club, U6. She got new cleats and a new ball for this soccer season. She also got a uniform which she will wear to the first game this Friday. This soccer club looks like a lot of fun, it meets only 2x per week 45 minutes each, Monday and Friday evenings. It goes for 9 weeks in the fall and 9 weeks in the spring. We will see how it goes but so far it seems great.

At the Beach with the Girls

One of the last days of our trip we went down to Brackett's Landing in Edmonds (to the right of the ferry dock). Brenna and Lauren came with us. It was a fun time but boy was it cold! The kids did not seem to mind. AnneMarie loves the beach, she has plans to move to "Grandma's Land" (aka Washington) so she can go to the beach every day. Jack doesn't like it as much, but he did enjoy this more than Mukilteo, it's not quite as rocky.
We were there are low tide but it was not crowded since the weather was bad.

Only Nathan could keep up with AnneMarie. When we got to the lookout spot, she waited for us, only to forge on ahead once everyone caught up.

Jack, AnneMarie, Brenna, Lauren.

Jack ran circles around the lookout.

They are all looking down because they want to find a treasure at the beach.

AnneMarie got farther and farther ahead the longer we were there.

Jack LOVES Lauren & Brenna.

Lauren found this dead fish, and then carried it around with her until it was time to get in the car. I don't think Grandma Jeanne would appreciate dead fish in the Town & Country.

Sisters.

4th of July!

We spent the 4th at my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Lyle's house on Lake Sammammish. They have a little bit of beach and a boat. The kids found a lot of fresh water clams. It was mostly friends from their church but also some family.

Maria, the hostess with the mostess.

The kids loved my aunt and uncle's dog Woody. He is so sweet and patient. They played a lot of fetch with ball in the lake.

My cousin Becky and her son Dylan, who was Jack's buddy on our trip.

I took so many pictures of Jack and Dylan. This is a rare shot when both are looking toward the camera.

We went out on the boat for a spin around Lake Samammish. It's easy to be mellow with Maria around.