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Prima Ballerina

Our little ballerina made her debut at Benroya Hall. Talk about cute -- this performance was sugar coated cute.

Instead of a bouquet of flowers, I purchased a lei of orchids at the airport in Hawaii before boarding the plane. Unfortunately, it felt cold and wet to Sylvia and we managed to keep it on her only for this picture.

Sylvia had her ballet recital early summer at the Benroya Hall and she was a vision of sugar plums and fairies. I had just gotten home from Hawaii and she hadn't seem me yet (or for the past two months), but I was sitting in the front row right in front of the stage when she came in. She was so excited and stunned that I had to use hand signals to get her to turn around and continue to perform.

Miscellaneous Happy Days of Spring and Summer 2011

Despite the fact that everyone is moaning about the weather, we've seemed to have the best luck -- it's always been sunny for outings with the Neus. Here are a few of our favorite days/outings.

Sylvia's favorite downtown activity -- the carousel. Can't believe there was a time not so long ago that I couldn't even get her on a horse.

These are Cherise's photos but so cute I had to post them.

The fish-shaped pond at Pier 66 is a big draw for the kids. Hard to pass by without getting in.

I've taken lots of pictures of this iconic sculpture at the Ballard Locks. Since we usually take this route when we cycle to Ballard, we pass them a lot but they never fail to intrigue.

What is it about this tree? The kids are always in it and they find it very entertaining.

We visited Andy's new school at the end of summer. They have a large Locke Ness Monster sculpture as the main whimsical feature of the playground. Andy's going to love this school. It's big and a bit imposing but also offers so much. He will be in the accelerated program brainiac that he is.

The aquarium. We've progress to the jelly fish. Usually the kids want to pose as an octopus.

Peter on the waterfront in front of a large, Russian, vintage replica of a square-rigger

Spice, Carrot, Blackberry, Coconut -- not food but names of the horses Sylvia and Andy rode at Remlinger end-of-summer run to Carnation. We got there early enough that the kids had multiple rides on the horses. Both are confident and competent on the horses. I didn't walk with them and they were pretty pleased.

Andy drives his sister.

Andy fearlessly did a back somersault onto the hay below.

Finally warm enough to swim in Lake Union. We took our boat out -- for the first time this summer -- to treat the family to a cool dip on a hot day. So fun.

That tree again.

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Love this photo. It was taken earlier in the year but I had to include it.

And a few more favorites. Above, kids writing us notes while we're in Hawaii.

Music at the SAM Sculpture Park

Thursday nights during the summer, SAM hosts music. Everyone sits around the tiered lawn drinking cocktails, beer and wine. Kids dance in front of the musicians. The view is fine. The living mellow. It's a great setting. This year we had the added thrill of watching sail boats under colorful spinnakers heading very near the shore (avoiding the current in light winds) trying to round the mark and make it back to Elliott Bay or Shilshole marina in a slow going race.

Staying in the Boatman's House at Cama Beach

Tom and I have a few favorite places we return to each summer. One is Patos Island and the other is Cama Beach. Cama Beach is owned and run by the Washington State Park Department and consists of the sweetest little cabins on the beach that have been beautifully restored since it was a fishing resort almost 100 years ago. Cama Beach is on Camano Island which runs up Saratoga Passage across from Whidbey Island and to its east. It tends to have slightly better weather than Seattle though it's only an hour and one-half away and we've always been there when it's sunny and warm. Warm enough to go into the water. This year we took the grand kids and their mother to stay with us in the Boatman's House, a privilege extended only to members of the Center for Wooden Boats that manages it and the boat house next door, the livery, and a meeting/event facility on the grounds. It was comparative luxury because we had a large living room space, separate bedroom, a bathroom, and plenty of outdoor space. All right on the water. The kids brought their bicycles and both connected with school friends there (serendipity). At night we'd meet up with Andy's school chums and their families for marshmallow roasts. Days were spent picking blackberries, doing art projects (led by a park ranger), swinging, taking walks, biking, swimming, fishing, and hours in the country store. The country store takes special mention because it has free books, games, activities, puppet theater and puppets, as well as plenty of toys to buy, and every kind of candy and ice cream. It also has the kindest volunteers who indulge little ones with pennies in their pockets filled with the power of purchase. We really had a wonderful time here and are returning next year.

Tom's canoe

Andy does what every kid loves to do -- ride a log in the salt water

The new lodge on the hill

Original Cama Beach entrance. There's photos in the store that show model T's here.

Simple playground -- swings and a boat converted into a sand box. Plenty.

Tom takes Andy for a ride. He later takes Sylvia and she promptly falls asleep mid-sentence. She sleeps for an hour while Tom rows around.

Sylvia and Andy survey their shell collection which is growing by the day.

Cherise playing Yatzi

Nightly campfire with friends

Sylvia putting on a puppet show for the nice volunteer lady who is watching it intently

One night we played a spirited monopoly game. Big developer Cherise built hotels everywhere and bankrupted us all. Andy kept trying to loan his grandfather money.