Simply - Delightful...

A simple get together is often the best.
Two weeks ago our neighbors through the trees hosted a hot dog roast. 

Their backyard is lovely and such a treat to be in.  They get plenty of sunshine while our home hides in the trees. 

 
The guys had fun playing a sporting game of baseball after dinner and I do believe they even incorporated some tackling.
The girls hung around the camp fire chatting.  It was a perfect evening.

Mariner Game...

We took the whole family to a Mariner game at the end of April.  The theme was Family & Kids.

 Blossom was decked out in Mariner gear thanks to good friend Anna Downen.

 This was a nice sign to see while at the game.

 We had pretty good seats.

The Scientist liked the Lego display.

 Blossom enjoyed the food, music and clapping. 

 She even took a little nap while in the ERGO.

 She is definitely a super cute Mariner fan.

 Thank you Mariners for a great day!

Father's Day 2013 . . .

We spent Sunday at my brother's place.  We roasted hotdogs, played horse shoes, and the boys threw tomahawks and chopped kindling. 

 We had a great a time.

 We also took a little trip to the beach.

This boy can play baseball anywhere.

Rocks and driftwood baseball.

Catching Up . . .

I feel like a broken record when I say "it's been a busy week."  Honestly, the weeks are always busy and just as one activity ends another starts.

My two younger boys have started Spring baseball and that means another 2-3 evenings away from the house per week. 

The only thing difficult about being at the ball fields in the evening time is what to do about dinner.  Other than that, everyone loves being there.  

Last week during Spring break I administered standardized testing to the boys.  In years past we have used Washington State's MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) or the MSP (Measurements of Student Progress.)

I find both of them to be totally inadequate and I will NEVER use them again.  This year I chose to pay for the CAT5 (California Achievement Test.)  

 I love this test because it surveys their knowledge of 5 subjects not just 2 or 3.  The boys' were tested in Reading, Comprehension, Math, Science, and Social Studies.  The testing materials arrived fast.  I had two weeks to test and send the materials back.  I was shocked to receive their scores in the mail a week later.  (I've waited 6 months for WA State testing results.) I was also over the MOON happy with the scores.  No surprises, just an accurate survey of where they are academically. I will continue to test this way in the future.  

Last week after testing, the boys participated in the 2 day Whatcom County Youth Fair.  It was our first year and OH, WE HAVE BEEN MISSING OUT!   The Professor took Photography class.  The Arctitect was in Junior Rodeo class and the Scientist had Chess.  

  Junior Rodeo instruction wasn't everything the Architect thought it would be and opted out of the second day. 

I could barely drag the Scientist away from Chess each day. And the Professor took his photography very seriously and learned a lot.  Definitely worth the $ 10.00 per child.

Last week showed us beautiful spring flowers, rain, rainbows and snow.  Three weeks into Spring and still plenty of unpredictable weather. 

 On Thursday,  Josh and I took the boys to Olympia to participate in TeenPact.  I love this program.  

 There is nothing quite like walking the marble halls of our Capital.

 The first part of the morning is spent singing a few worship songs and doing sword drills.  A sword drill is looking up bible verses as fast as you can.  The kids pretend to put their bibles in a sword sheath and then *shing* they draw out their swords and look up a verse.  The first one who finds it gets to read it.

Before lunch the group splits into smaller groups and walks around the Capital, stopping at certain locations to pray for those leaders in our government.  

Here the group has stopped at George Washington in order to pray for our current President.  

The second part of the day is spent learning how a Bill is passed.  It's amazing how fun the teen staff can make this.  Anyone coming out of this class will have a clear understanding of our legislative branch of government.

Since I had already been to TeenPact last year with the Professor, Josh stayed with the older boys and I took the Scientist to the Olympia Children's Science Museum.

We had so much fun!  We road the free bus and walked in the rain.  

He played so hard.  It was nice to see him un-distracted by older brothers. He was able to focus on what he wanted to do and how long he wanted to play.  I hope we make it back to this museum some day.

I guess it has been a busy couple weeks.

A Sweet Suite at Safeco...

I'm at least a week behind in posting.  But it's summer and there is plenty to do.  Plus, I'm trying not spend too much time with my computer.  Less time with the computer means less time blogging but more time with family and summer projects that must get done.

Last weekend we had a special treat.  We watched a Mariner game in a suite.  I bought 8 tickets a few months ago through my alumni association at my University, UAF.  We took the whole family plus Grandma Patty, Uncle Chuck and Auntie Jodie.
The whole suite experience is like riding first class in an airplane.   We had a complimentary parking pass and entered through the garage sky bridge on level 3.  We passed through 5 check points and at each one the boys where given baseball cards and treated like they were stars going to the big game.

I think the best part about the suites is that the food is catered and it never runs out.  The boys could go and get as much as they wanted all evening.  Bottled water and sodas are complimentary and big fancy cookies are served after the 7th inning.   The Mariner Moose also comes by each suite for a visit and picture opportunities.  I loved that we didn't have to chase him down or wait in a long line to get a picture.  There are many perks in a suite.

The game was another great one.  

 Mariner's won over the Rangers 7-0.

♪ ♫ ♪ Take Me Out . . . ♪ ♫ ♪

Last Saturday was a loooong day.  Baseball pictures at 9:30 am with a game at 11:00.  Home to change, eat and in the van to make it the Mariner's game at 6:05 down in Seattle.  We missed the opening pitch by only by a few minutes. 

We went to the game because one of our tickets was free due to the boys selling enough Cub Scout popcorn last October and the other tickets were discounted to 15.00 a piece.  Hard to pass up a good price like that.  We took Grandma Patty and Uncle Chuck with us.  They provided the peanuts and candy.  

This was one dooozy of a game!  The Mariner's beat the Minnesota Twins 7-0.  The kids were thrilled. 

Ichiro, Ichiro, Ichiro!!!