Another photo blitz, to catch up on the last bits of Spring, and then it’s going to be a camp trip bonanza on here. In May and June, there were playgrounds…
And scooters…
And spray parks, oh my.
Dates at our favorite neighborhood pub…
And a visit to our new favorite ice cream shop…
And so much time at Alki.
Lowman Beach is still our favorite place to spread out a blanket and a picnic feast.
I’d like to give a special moment to Isaac’s little button-down…
And Juliette’s Coffee Coffee Coffee shirt, gifted to her by a friend’s mom when she learned how much Juliette adores Lorelei Gilmore.
In April I chaperoned Juliette’s Fifth Grade Camp and had the best time with my girl. While all the other kids with parent chaperones asked their moms and dads to sit at the front of the bus, Juliette saved me a seat, insisting we buddy up. I couldn’t say no.
And I got ALL the 11 year old scoops.
These were my cabin mates, sweet as could be. While the fifth grade boys were stealing latex gloves from the first aid kids and turning them into makeshift water balloons to be launched at cabin windows, these girls were stringing twinkle lights on their bunks and arranging their bookshelves just-so. Don’t get me wrong – girls can stir up their own types of drama, but these particular kiddos were such a pleasure throughout the weekend.
We had an activity-packed couple of days. Campfires…
Beach walks…
And a squid dissection!
A squid ink signature to prove she completed the assignment.
The kids played some form of tag in which they were all different animals in the forest food chain and Juliette dominated, gazelle that she is.
Our last morning brought shelter-building, fire-making, and a surprise salamander-sighting.
And to cap it off, the climbing wall.
It was pretty special, to watch Juliette scramble up that wall with her classmates spotting her and cheering her on.
I’m so glad I got the chance to tag along. And I’m so glad I won’t be asked to do it again for another eight years (I’ve got you, Isaac!).
Mother’s Day was spent enjoying our usual backyard French toast brunch.
Tastes goooooood…
We went down to Whale Tail Park to test out Isaac’s new rocket launcher and he picked me the tiniest, sweetest daisy bouquet.
With a hike up through Schmitz Park to cap it all off.
I spent a weekend in Bellingham with a few lady friends, drinking foofy drinks and eating good food and laughing till we cried.
We went for a walk through the neighborhood and were accosted by a herd of goats.
This group spreads out a taco bar like nobody’s business.
Shane and I celebrated the evening of our 19th anniversary at Cactus Grill with the kiddos. Maybe a tiny bit light on romance…
But big on love.
The romance came a few days later, when we snuck away for a night on Whidbey Island while my mom and dad watched the kids. We drank our canned wine and ate our fancy cheese and streamed the Daily Show while waiting for the ferry at Mukilteo. There was no passing of snacks to the backseat, no pleas for Paw Patrol, no interrupted conversations. Just us. It felt good.
We perused the plants and housewares at Bayview Garden before checking into our little cabin for an afternoon of reading and dozing.
We spruced up for dinner in Coupeville at The Oyster Catcher, where we treated ourselves to oysters and pork belly and creme brûlée.
I just asked Shane if he could remember what his favorite thing was at dinner that night and without missing a beat, he said, “looking into your eyes…”. 19 years and we still got it.
Morning reading time in our backyard…
And then a hike at Ebey’s Landing.
Woooo! This place! I could have watched these grasses wave in the wind for hours. But alas, we missed our mayhem back home – time to roll out.
Mid June brought all the end-of-the-school-year happenings, like Juliette’s piano recital, which she rocked.
She played a duet with Nico and the two of them stole the show, tearing through their piece without missing a beat.
Shane and I were invited to an assembly the week before school let out where Juliette was presented with a Seymour Kaplan award for her exceptional attitude of kindness, consideration, and generosity. To hear that auditorium erupt with cheers when her name was called, to listen to her principal talk about her one-in-a-million spirit, to watch her bound to the stage with pride and still, humility. How’d we get so lucky?
There was a fifth grade picnic at Lincoln Park…
And then the big event! Graduation Day! Juliette donned her finest, hugged her grandmas, and said, “enjoy the show!”.
There was a dance performance and poetry readings and the essential presentation of diplomas. SHE DID IT!
Her teacher is a gem of a human and challenged Juliette in all the best ways.
Juliette Grace, I’m so freaking proud of the person you are.
The next day, I walked her to elementary school for the very last time. She looked back with a smile and waved goodbye, trotting back to me for one final hug. I was a little sad, of course, but mostly thankful. What a gift this school has been for my girl. She’s so ready for what lies ahead.
Bring on middle school!
BUT FIRST: we summer.