Point Defiance Zoo Field Trip - Kayda

Last month Carson and I were able to join Kayda's class on their field trip to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.  Kayda was so excited that we were going to be able to make it.  I had originally told her no due to Carson's school schedule but since I took him out for Dillon's field trip I decided to do it for this one as well. 

 Kayda and Carson were both ecstatic to see the peacock!

 Unfortunately, unlike Dillon's field trip, we had to stay with Kayda's group.  They had a very short attention span so we didn't get to take our time at the different animals like we normally would've.  Kayda and Carson both still had a great time though!  This tank has sea horses, if you can see them.

There was still about 45 minutes left of the field trip when it started raining.  Since Carson and I drove separate we decided to was time to go.  I ran him over to the carousel (Kayda couldn't do it due to her classmates).  Afterward we ran to the car.  We got in the car just in time for it to start coming down in sheets!

Carson's First T-ball Game

Carson has been looking forward to playing baseball since Kayda and Dillon played last spring.  When I told him I was signing him up he started asking on a regular basis when he was playing.  It was torture for him to watch Kayda and Dillon start football when they were signed up after him.  He came home from the practices beaming, telling me all about how he was on the "Blue Jays" and that he needed to "gear up".  The would go and put on all his baseball clothes even when we had a hot couple of weeks.  I must've messed up my camera's setting because it consistently focused in the distance which I didn't know until after I got home.  So if the picture is blurry that's why, but it was a moment I couldn't pass up.

 Look at him go!  In this age group you basically get the ball if you're the pitcher.  It rarely makes it anywhere else.  As soon as that ball was moving Carson was too!

This boy LOVES baseball.  I think it's amazing because he is so much more interested and dedicated than Kayda and Dillon were at this age.  He spent most of the game actually paying attention.  When Kayda and Dillon played at this age they were drawing in the sand with their cleats!

I'm really bummed out because I'll miss 4 or 5 of his games since I'm getting my tonsils taken out.  I really wish it could've waited.  

Kayda and Dillon's Last Flag Football Games

Last weekend was Kayda and Dillon's last flag football game.  The kids really enjoyed the season!  Dillon especially, as he is bursting at the seams to try new sports. 

 He got tackled!  Just before this he caught a pass, I got the exact moment but the camera decided to zoom in on the kid in pink.  I was not happy.

 Ah!  Just missed!

 There she goes!

 It was hilarious looking through these pictures.  The camera was on rapid shoot and so you can watch as 3 different kids miss tackling her.

Just a little closer!

They were really starting to get a feel for the game and of course the "season" is over.  Hopefully they can keep working with Daddy and continue improving. 

Dillon's Northwest Trek Field Trip

This past week Dillon's class went on a field trip to Northwest Trek. Since I had Carson I couldn't be a chaperone.  So I just let Dillon's teacher know ahead of time that we would be coming. She was kind enough to assign Dillon to me instead of assigning him to another adult.  So we just waited at the gate for him and then we were able to wander as we pleased!  Instead of the three of us wandering with a group with one of Dillon's friends he chose to spend the day just with Carson and I.  There was a little confusion about the tram.  Carson really wanted to ride it but because of the size of Dillon's class there just wasn't room for us.  The tram ride is almost an hour long so unless we could go with Dillon it just wasn't going to work.  Fortunately, they let Dillon switch times so he could be with us!

They saved their money from Grandparents from Easter and  both brought it with them.  They each decided to buy a stuffed animal with their money.  It was so funny watching them decide what to get!  Once they got them they were inseparable.  Dillon chose a bobcat so he wanted to go see them first.  Of course bobcats aren't that big so we couldn't spot it.  He insisted we go back again later to check.  I THINK I saw it in the very back but wasn't sure and I couldn't point it out to them.  They were both pretty unhappy.  Beside the bobcat the only animals we weren't able to spot were animals that they had "Off exhibit".  There were a LOT of those, which was irritating as there aren't that many animals there anyway.  

On the tram the keepers had just come through to feed the animals so a lot of them were right up along, and even on the road.

They were fascinated!  Constantly switching from one side to the other to see the animals.  They have bison at the park and they were blocking the road.  We slowly edged our way through.  The boys were not very impressed.  30 bison just doesn't measure up to the hundreds they saw in South Dakota.

There is a cool new play area there that the boys had a few minutes to play on.  I wish there was a way that I could've driven Dillon home.  They made them leave at 1:15 and school isn't even over for another 2 hours.  The drive is NOT long.  Carson and I were able to wander around a little bit after Dillon left but he wasn't as enthusiastic as when he had brother to explore with.

It turned out to be a pretty great day.  Even if Carson wouldn't smile for our picture. 

Kayda and Dillon Face Off

Today was the game for Kayda and Dillon to play against each other, hence why we had to hurry back from camping.  Dillon seems to be getting more confident in his playing, Kayda seems to still be figuring things out.  They are both having a great time.  Dillon earned bragging right since his team won today. 

Camano Island State Park

We spent 3 days up at a cabin at Camano Island State Park with Grandma and Papa H, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Pat's family and Aunt Anna and Uncle Scott's family.  We got there ahead of everyone so we got the cabin all set up and headed down to the beach.  Immediately after getting there Carson fell and skinned his knee so then it was difficult to get him to do much of anything.  Of course Kayda slipped shortly thereafter and skinned her ankle.  It doesn't make for a very fun time around the saltwater.  

 Dillon was determined to play in the water... Until he touched it the first time and then he wasn't so inclined.  He didn't realize just how could it was!

 They had a great time finding all the tiny crabs, most were smaller than quarters.

 Of course, you can't be on a rock covered beach without throwing them.  Dillon, Kayda and even Carson worked on their rock skipping skills with Daddy.

 At this point Carson is pouting because his knee hurt and he wanted to go back to the cabin.  Look at that lip!!!

 A couple of hours later the cousins started to arrive.   We headed over to Cama Beach State Park to hang out with the extended family.
The boys got a kick out of Chase's hat popping off when Carson tried to squeeze in for the picture.

 Dillon was photobombing Kayda and Ella.  Kayda was pretty aggravated.

 These girls are the best of friends, despite only seeing each other every few weekends now. We have gotten into the habit of letting Aunt Sarah know when we're headed up to Grandma and Papa H's house.  That way they can spend time together.  Ella will often call to ask if Kayda is coming up.  Even calling Grandma at times in the hopes we'll be up there.

 You can't find a big driftwood log without returning it to the water!

 Carson spend a good portion of the first day collecting skipping rocks and pretty rocks in his pockets.  At one point he had so many rocks in his pockets that his pants started falling down.  That's when he decided to start collecting them in the drink pocket on his chair.

 Kayda has really come to love playing any kind of board or card game.  She was delighted to play with Ella.

 And was overjoyed to play phase 10 with Aileena, Ella, Grandma and Nathan!  I was so pleased to see the older cousins join in! They were really great about hanging out with all the younger ones.

 There was a giant chess board down from the cabins.  The kids spent more time there than even out on the beach.

 The second day was windy and cold.  It wasn't so bad by our cabin up in the trees but down on the water it was COLD!  Daddy got chilled so he decided to take a nap in the car when we got back to our cabin after a trip down to the beach.

 It was cold enough that we decided to have a fire and midday smores.  The kids thought that was quite a treat considering they're usually reserved for bed time!

 Dillon was having a pretty emotional day on Friday.  He didn't want anything to do with anyone because he felt like her was being left out.  He was feeling very sensitive and his cousins were all off exploring Stanwood.  He couldn't handle being looked at or talked to so he flipped his sweatshirt around backwards and covered his face.  Of course we kept talking to him!

 Friday they also had a Toy boat building workshop so we were able to go down there.  The used old hand-cranked drills to put in the masts.  Then there were all kinds of other goodies to use: bottle caps, corks, fabric, string, glue, nails, Popsicle sticks etc.  They had a great time building them, even wanting to put them in the water.  We figured all their hard work would be ruined so we kept them from doing that.  The waves from the wind were a little too intense for toy boats.

 Carson would only take this picture with his boat after I told him it was the only way Grandma and Papa G would be able to see his boat.  So he agreed, but specifically told me it would be with one eye.

 While we were hanging out at our cabin a bald eagle flew into a tree right next to our camp.  The kids had a hard time spotting it in the trees.  After maybe 10 minutes.  The sound of its wings was incredible.  That's when the kids finally got a good look at it.  It's hard to miss when you can hear and see it maybe 30 ft from you!

 Little miss Eliza is our youngest neice, or for the kids cousin.  We didn't get to hold her much for fear of getting her sick.

 Carson and Brett spent a LOT of time together on this trip.  Carson has now decided that Brett is his best friend and that we need to live closer to him.  But sorry, no way are we moving up to that city.  I would love to be even smaller than where we are now!

We were able to get the younger cousins to agree to a picture.  Since I know they are going to grow and might not remember what each of them look like.... We have Mikey, Dillon, Chase and Brett in back.  Then Ella, Kayda, Carson, Eliza and Peyton in front. 

The kids had a wonderful time and even now Carson keeps saying "Lets go back to that place next day"  He doesn't seem to like the word tomorrow!  He is ready to go on his next camping adventure, especially if his cousins are around.  None of them were happy to leave but we needed to be sure to be back for the flag football game.