Whidbey Walking

You’ll just have to believe me on this, but that’s a bald eagle circling overhead.  But you can just admire the blue, blue December sky I got to enjoy walking down Sandy Point to do my Mama Loop. 

I love being able to leave everyone at the cabin and go for a walk with my best friend—me! (Occasionally, when Dwayne and I go together, he tells me to walk circles around him so we stay together.)

A week later, the weather wasn’t quite as nice, but here in the PNW, I can appreciate dry!

Love this island.

These Kids are….

Strong!

Courageous!

And Cute.

And mostly delighted to be kids at the cabin. I love these guys!

The Ducklings Head to the Fair

The cabin had a few few free nights just as the Island Fair opened, so the kids and I went over Wednesday so we could be there bright and early when it opened today. 

This is what a Piper who has just seen an adorable baby goat looks like.

One of our favorite parts is the (free!) balloon animal lady.   Piper got a kitty, Wesley a cheetah, A- a scorpion,  V- an owl, and little J- an airplane.

And then the rides opened up.  Basically, that’s what the kids did for the next 9 hours.  Each kid had their Island BFF at the Fair that day, so each had a ride buddy. 

Really, at the end of the day, the Fair isn’t about just spending too much money, wondering where your kids are while trying to read a book, or even how to limit really unhealthy food.  For us, it’s about friends and our other community.  Awww….

The 102nd Maxwelton 4th of July Parade

Took just 4 kids down to the parade, but at least we met up with our friends and their cousins, so we weren’t short on candy-getters!

This guy is always around to hand out bananas from the local Goose Grocer

You know I’ll do this same blog post next year!

The Cabin Celebrates the USA!

I have always wanted to make myself a pallet flag.  But never enough to actually do it.  Then I found one on sale and I had an extra coupon, so why take the time and do a lousy job when I can just buy one.  God bless America…and have mercy on Americans?

Freedom!!! (The Country’s, Not Denise’s)

I love the cabin, my country, Whidbey Island, and kids….possibly in that order.  So taking the 6 kids to Freeland’s 3rd of July Freedom Festival is one of the highlights of my year.

Wesley, Kyla, Dwayne, Piper, Abigail, Parker, and Cecily share the first course of the night. 

There are bouncy houses…

 

….giants…

…friends…

…flyovers…

…hair bands…

… and more food than we could eat (but we’ll try).

Fireworks are not Cecily’s thing, but Dwayne got to be Uncle Hero (and got snuggles all evening).

Look at this sunset!  Abigail and Wesley played on the beach while we waited for it to be dark enough for fireworks.

Finally, we’re ready for….

Hurry Up and SPA!

Julie was bringing the kids over late morning, so I was in a rush to get my summer pedicure before I went from 3 kids to 5.  There’s a typical-looking nail salon just a few blocks up from the ferry, but I was really impressed!  They had two kid pedicure chairs so Piper was very comfortable next to me getting her first pedi, and Kyla was close by getting a manicure. 

Did they need one?  No.  Did I need one?  Yes.  So, I logged Wesley into the store’s Wi-Fi and we all sat back to a little pampering. Had I made slightly better plans, I may have gotten the two outdoor spa chairs overlooking the water on a perfect Island day.  Well, I have about 11 months to plan my next annual pedi!