The kids gave me a basket with tea, chocolate and crystallized ginger in it as a birthday present. Then we went to the Strawberry Festival at Boxx Berry Farm, where we had free strawberry sundaes and the kids took a ride around the fields on a "train" pulled by a tractor.

If the weather had been better I'd planned on taking them for a hike up to the observatory on Sehome hill, but I'll have to save that for another time.

39 now.

S's dance recital went well - it was great to be able to see her perform on stage. She was very happy. I went up to the stage at the end to pick her up, and bought some sunflowers for her. M&N didn't want to stay for the second half, so I drove them and Grandpa G back to HQ instead.

The next day N,M & S and I all went out for ice cream at Mallard's, and then they went down to OR for a week.

They returned in time for Father's Day, though. We watched cartoons in the morning, went to La Fiamma for lunch, and then back to Mallards. Then we watched some movies, did some drawings and continued reading The Golden Compass, which we're all really enjoying.

I'm planning on taking them for a hike up to the Sehome Hill Arboretum this Saturday. DG told me that there's an observatory up there too - hopefully we'll find it, and the weather will be nice!

S is very, very excited about her upcoming dance recital this Friday. She's counting down the days until her dress rehearsal and then the performance. She's as excited as she is around Christmas time, or her birthday. I'm looking forward to seeing her on stage again - she's so cute.

H's parents are coming up for the performance, and then H and the kids are going down to OR for the week :( - but they'll be back in time for Father's Day!

N&M&S drew a bunch of cool pictures last night - my refridgerator is already almost covered over with them. They sure are loving kids.

Went to Locust Beach on Sunday with the kids. It was a beautiful, warm day. Someone gave them little seashells that had been turned into mice sculptures - he said his Grandparents made them, and he always carried some around to give out to kids.

I think N,M & S had fun....

We finished reading Where the Red Fern Grows and started The Golden Compass, which we're all enjoying a lot.

Sure wish I could see them more often.

Have the kids all weekend. Should be fun, especially if the weather stays so nice. They were a bit disappointed to find out that the pool won't open until mid June....

N&M are very excited about their upcoming birthday - only one more month!