On Thursday the kids and I went to the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center to checkout the trails and buildings. The kids had fun on the trails and boardwalks, playing in all the water and looking for things on the scavenger hunt we got from the vistor's center. Unfortunately we didn't have much time to stay as we were doomed for terrible rush hour traffic if we didn't get going. We will need to go back another day when we have more time to hike around. The goal for this trip was to make it to a bridge that went over the Mercer Slough where we went canoeing last summer.
Lake Sylvia Camping
This weekend, we left Friday early afternoon for Lake Sylvia in Montsano, WA. What should be a 2 hour drive ended up a much longer trek due to traffic... or avoiding traffic really. We took some side trips to keep it interesting. We have passed by the Satsop nuclear Power Plant many, many times. What would have been a nuclear power plant, actually... I guess production was halted at some point in the 70s, but the buildings still remain, as ominous as ever. Interesting to get close and see that they are hollow. We also stopped for a quick hike at the Mima Mounds, an interesting area of land that is riddled with mound after mound after mound.
Lake Sylvia was a nice trip for family camping! We met our friends Evan and Jessica there, who have two kids Oscar, 4, and Arlo, 16 months. It was a pretty relaxing trip actually, as the kids were happy to spend hours on the playground right near our campsites, and on the beach a short walk away. We had our new hammock and I actually had time to sit there and do crosswords! Say what?! We kept the meal prep super simple, which was helpful (cereal and donuts, sandwiches, quesadillas, hot dogs, beans and rice, burgers). Our first night we went for a little walk to see the stars over the lake. It was a clear night and we could see the stars reflecting in the lake. The second night however was totally different. The fires in central WA are big and scary and the wind has brought the smoke over to western WA. The moon was orange from the smoke and we couldn't' see the stars. Really sad. One of the fires in WA is actually right where we road tripped earlier this year. We were just there and now it is all on fire. So crazy.
Redmond So Bazaar
Lastly, I went out with Wendy and Mike to Redmond's "So Bazaar". It was a fun night of Le Lemon drinks and giant Jenga in the beer garden. We played this Jenga game for a verrry long time, the tower was quite tall, everyone in the beer garden was watching us. It was really fun! Mike took the fall and Finally the game was over. It was fun, but getting a bit anxiety provoking. Wendy called it Jenga purgatory. haha. After all the craziness, we walked to Coho to get lava cake for dessert. Yuuummmm!
photos
And so, that's it. That's the end of my summer vacation. :( I am 100% not ready to go back to work. Not at all ready or excited about it. But, I know I really don't have any thing to complain about considering I did just have over 2 months off from work. Not many people get to do that! I am grateful for having that time with my kids... so I am going to stop myself from complaining about having to get up early and go to work. :)
With the new school year starting, not only am I going back to work, but Noah is starting kindergarten!!! Holy smokes! I am excited for him. I hope he loves it and has a great time learning and does well. He has loved his preschool experiences, so I bet he is going to have a great time. He will have three recesses - how can kindergarten not be awesome. :) He will be in full day kindy at Juanita Elementary. I worked there 2 years in a row, but sadly I have not been placed there again this year. Major bummer. I do get to stay at Twain, where I have been for the last 4 years, though, which is great.
This next bit is mostly just for me to focus on the things I should be grateful for... and not on the end of it all. Here is a list of all the awesome that has happened this summer:
Hike to Lake Serene with Evan. Camping at Scenic Beach, where we saw Mary Poppins at an outdoor theatre. Hailey's Hello Kitty Party. Noah graduated from Preschool. I took Hailey to the Teddy Bear Picnic concert. For Father's Day we went up north to go mini golfing and see some pretty views. Camping at Cle Elum River Campground. Snow Lake hike and swim with Wendy and Tara. For the 4th of July we were in the parade and saw the Bellevue Fireworks. St. Edwards outdoor concerts. Bothell Big Band outdoor concert. Duvall Sand Blast Festival. Harry Connick Jr concert. Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Forest Park animals and spray park. Burke Musuem, jog around green lake and wading pool. Herding Cats on my birthday. Hike to Lake Kalcema, pancakes and olive garden on my bday. Mini golfing in Edmonds. Ran the track near my mom's. Playdates with Vanessa, Charlotte and Tara at their house. North Acres Spray Park with Marina and her peeps. Noah went to Sports Camp. Noah and Hailey took swim lessons and we went to the library and playground lots. Hiked to Wallace Falls with the kids and happy hour ice cream. Slurpees at 711. An amazing trip to NH with family and friends, Lake Massasecum, Mount Kearsarge, Nadeau's and Wa Toy, and more! Hike to Blanca Lake. Mini golf again at Rainbow Run. Caspar Babypants concert and beach time. Cinebarre night with Tara. Nature Classes at St Edward's. Mukilteo Beach tide pooling and ice cream. Fox Hollow Farm. Camping in the rain at Doeswalips. Gracie's birthday party. Saw Clemencia. Swimming in Martha Lake and Idylwood. Imagine Kids Museum with Marian and her kids. Family story time at the library. Got 3rd place in 5 mile River Run in Snohomish. Happy Nest with Cathy and Inara. Mountlake Terrace Happy Hour swim. The Solstice Parade. Lunch with Dean. Imagine Dragons concert. Canoeing the Slough with Grandma and both kids. Blue Angles practice viewing form a new park. Blue berry Picking and the porch swing. Big Hero 6 outdoor movie with Wendy and Noah at Marymoor park. And lots of days home just hanging out and going to the local park to ride bikes.
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