MINDPORT Museum...

    Oh what a treasure this place is!

It's been a few years since we've gone to the little MINDPORT museum in downtown Bellingham.  Long enough that my youngest didn't remember having gone before.  At $2.00 per person, this is my #1 pick for places to take your child in Bellingham.

This a is a place of science, engineering, art, beauty, music and thinking.  The exhibits are so beautifully hand crafted.

Each boy went off and found something to inspire them and make them think while they played.

 My two younger boys played the little pipe organ.  They played the songs from their piano recital that was last week.  The gentleman working at the museum was so impressed he gave them each a free pass to come back to the museum.  That was awesome.  I told them they had earned their way today and that all that piano practice was valuable time spent.

The Scientist's  favorite exhibit was the tornado maker.  We'll be headed back there fairly soon to use those great passes and have more fun.

Bubble Boys...

 

Bubbles are just so pretty!

2nd Grade Graduation...

The second graders at our church "graduate" each year with a special presentation of their own Bible.   They are recognized for being able to read God's word and for learning how to locate books of the Bible on their own.  And they get cake!

Civil War Field Trip...

I've wanted to take the kids to this event for a couple years now.  Timing and ages of my kiddos finally worked in my favor this year.

 This cannon really fired and went BOOOOM!

 These guns really fired and were LOUD!

 The kids learned all about loading a musket and marching with arms.

I'm not sure if our side won.
It was a full 4 hours of learning and we went home tired. 

Feeling Like Summer...

Oh ya, Summer is here! How do I know?  My grass allergies are in full swing.  That's OK, I'm taking care of it. 

I'm still getting out and taking care of weeding around some flowers. 

The Scientist did his reading school work outside so I could work and listen and help at the same time.

We went on a great walk with friends at Whatcom Falls Park.  The water was crazy and roaring.  I gave the kiddos strict instructions not to go the route we've gone before which takes us to the edge of the water.  I'm so glad I did.  I'm just sick about the little 7 year old on the local news that fell and got swept over. 

 This hill didn't just beckon to be climbed it screamed to be conquered!  So they did.

We also got out to the beach at Point Whitehorn.  Different day.

So thankful to have the energy this year to enjoy all these sunny days.

P.S. Grandma Patty - Three yellow buckets and little shovels went to the beach.  Only one set survived the harsh digging expectations of the Johnson boys. 

Boulevard Park, Bellingham...

On one of the first bright and sunny days of spring here in Whatcom County, I took a couple of my boys to Boulevard Park.

I have a motto, if you can't climb it yourself - then you shouldn't be climbing it - or at least I'm not going to help you.  Cooperating with your brother is acceptable.

The idea behind this comes from my family living in Alaska and my brother wanting to ride a big snow-machine (snowmobile for all you non Alaskans.) The deal was, he could ride the snow-machine when he could start it.  They were pull starts back then!  This was a perfect way to assure someone was strong enough to handle a full size snow-machine. 

I apply this principle to many things with my own boys and it works pretty well. 

Geared Up...

All geared up for his first camp out.  Actually took place two months ago.

WA State Chess Championships...

Better late than never on this post.

After returning from our New Mexico trip we had 5 days at home before heading out again.  This time, just with the 8 year old.  We headed to Seattle on the Friday evening of April 11th to get ready for the biggest chess tournament we've ever been to.

It's always nice to spend one on one time with each of our boys. 

 Dinner at the Fisherman's Terminal in Ballard.

 All the baggage he could carry.  All by himself.

 Seattle on a Friday night.

A queen bed all to himself.

We got an early start the next morning but it was crazy getting to Pier 91.  Think 800 cars, all trying to get to the same building near the Magnolia bridge at 8:00am.   Crazy!  Hundreds of people ended up being late and they started the tournament 40 minutes late.

This huge warehouse type room is a buzz before the first round starts.

Upstairs, family and competitors hang out during rounds.

This championship was for K-6th graders.  The second graders had 148 competitors in their group.  The top 25,  in each grade, at the end of the day would be awarded a trophy on stage.  Our guy amazed us and came in 18th.

Trophies are neat but at the end of the day or week or month, it's the memory of how he played the game that sticks with our chess player.  He has a goal of reaching a chess rating of 1000 by the time he's 10 years old.  Every chess player starts at 400 when they begin competing.  During this last year the Scientist has made a couple big jumps in his rating.  After the championships, he ends this school year with a rating of 966. 

A great day full of great memories!