Localvore!

Last weekend, Edmonds has their "localvore" days which involves getting a passport to 10 local stores and if you get a stamp at each place, you can enter a drawing and get a swag bag (if you finish early enough). It's one of my favorite things because you support the local stores who also usually have fun booths and specials. Addy and I went with my friend and her daughter. The girls got their hair braided, we made flower rings and got cute Edmonds shirts. It turned out to be a beautiful day so it was just perfect to be walking around town. My favorite was the flower shop who created a flower photo wall that was absolutely amazing. Addy kept us on task and we finished in time to get a swag bag, but even cooler was that my name was drawn for the grand prize so I won merchandise from every single store! As if I needed a reason to love Edmonds even more. 

Explore

On the drive to our mini-vacation over Memorial Day we stopped at park that had a bunch of great trails, a boardwalk and even some animals and a lookout tower. It was fun to explore and we timed it perfectly between the rain showers. We had been there before but the kids didn't remember anything about it. They also had an amazing fragrance garden with more variety of plants than I think I've ever seen. It was beautiful to see and to smell. You know it's good when the kids want to keep looking at all the plants and flowers! They also couldn't get enough of the chickens. I guess now that we don't have ours anymore they are more excited about chickens! 

Semi-Vacation at Semiahmoo

Over Memorial Day weekend I took the kids on a little getaway to a resort called Semiahmoo while Brian took a boys trip to Minnesota. We had a great time and lucked out that the weather changed for the better and there was hardly any rain. The resort is on a penisula with views of Canada over the bay. We did just about everything they have to offer, except golf! We rode bikes, played pingpong and pickle ball, swam and roasted marshmallows on the beach. I was really impressed with how good the kids were at pickle ball, they've been playing at school and it shows. 

The Show Must Go On

This week we had back to back concerts at school for the kids. Addy had an orchestra concert (she plays the violin) and Cameron had a 3rd grade choir concert. Both shows were incredibly well done and I was in awe with how the kids did and how amazing these music teachers are. It was especially impressive to hear the middle school orchestra play because all of those kids learned how to play their instruments during remote school. Cameron's concert had an extra surprise which is that the power went out about half way through. But the show must go on and the kids did an awesome job adapting. I couldn't help but think how grown up the kids looked during these performances. It feels like its happening so fast!

The Majestical Mushrooms

For the challenge Addy and her troop had to name their troop, make a flag and have a cheer. They decided to call themselves the "Majestical Mushrooms" and every time they did roll call they would respond "We are fungi"- it made me smile every time.

The girls definitely scored extra points for their positive and upbeat attitudes in every challenge and they made a pretty creative flag too. 

Cascade Challenge

Last weekend was a big deal- for both Addy and I. It was the Cascade Challenge for Girl Scouts. Addy was competing with her troop for the first time. I was one of the adult volunteers, also for the first time. This is a challenge that has existed for 40 years, but it was the first time since COVID. Addy and her troop (the Cadettes) had been working up to this event for several months. The basic premise is that there are 5 separate challenges that the girls compete in to earn points to complete the Cascade Challenge and the winner gets the "Mt Rainier" Award. 

The challenges were: Archery, Firebuilding, Team Dynamics, KPS (Knots, Plants and Shelters) and the biggest one the Boxed Dinner Challenge. That challenge involves the girls getting a box of ingredients that they have to create a dinner with using all ingredients and doing full prep and clean up by themselves and serve to judges. The best part about being an adult volunteer? You literally are not allowed to help. The girls have to set up the campsite and do all of the work ALL.BY.THEMSELVES. 

It was incredible to see what four 12 year old girls could accomplish when we were out of their way "trying to help." I was very impressed with all of the girls, but especially Addy who stepped naturally into the leader role ensuring the team was clear on who was doing what and they had a plan. The girls had a great time, they came in third and they learned a ton. Addy loved it so much she's already thinking about next year's Cascade Challenge. 

The Work of Cameron

I know I had a previous post bragging about my poet daughter. I also know that Cameron was aware of that post because last week after I read one of his new poem's and shared with him how much I loved it he said, "So are you gonna post this on the blog and tell everyone how much you love it?" 

Yes, Cameron, as a matter of fact I will. This one is for you. 

And Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mom's out there. May we never lose the right to decide how and when we choose to become a mom or not. 

Poem's and Art by Cameron Evert

Black Is

Black makes me feel empty,

but more full than ever before. 

Black sounds like the sky on a moonless night. 

Black's smell has a desire

the smell of smoke, 

a new campfire. 

Black taste like rotting fruit, 

left in the basket for far too long. 

Black is a shade of every color, 

mixed over and over again. 

Black is White

just

not. 

Black is a color that seems dark and cold,

but if you look closer you'll find a joy that's very very old. 

Black is a jewel, full of light. 

My Mom

My Mother is as sweet as a strawberry filled donut. 

She could be as famous as her Sour Cream Coffee Cake.

My Mother laughs when I make a bad joke

and then I laugh my gut out.

My Mom smiles when I'm happy so I do my best 

to be as happy as I can at all the times I can.

One of my Mom's favorite things to do is watch the sunset. 

My Mother is as cool as a python wearing sunglasses. 

My Mom is stronger than THE ROCK.