Home safe

So nice to have our dogger back. I took this photo the night I found her.

Boy after my own heart

Benjamin found the mini Boden catalog one night, and had to read it cover to cover and point out all the interesting things. He actually wanted to use the red sharpie (perhaps to circle his favorite things?), but I wouldn't let him. Anyway, Mama was so proud. And a little embarassed. How much do I actually read the Boden catalog that he has learned this? I like to think that it is infrequently, and he is just a very quick study. Among the other tricks we documented that night were demanding the camera, raiding the pantry, and giving the dog treats. And he is wearing his very adorable corduroy bear overalls, which are too small for him now. Sigh.

Mini couch

We have this great little kid size pull out couch in Benjamin's room, which I believe was a Go To Your Room freebie, way back from Loren's warehouse boy days, and recently came back to us from Isabelle and Maria. Anyway, whenever it is folded out, Maisy and I battle to see who gets to lay on it, and Benjamin crawls around on us like we are a jungle jim. She is a very tolerant dogger.

Beermonster Camping

It was the annual Beermonster (also known as the soccer team) camping trip this weekend. Some people did more camping than others. We actually went to the campsite with tent and gear to spend the night, but opted out, due to inclement weather, cranky baby. It is such a Seattle sort of camping trip, when all the photos have people in rain jackets and fleece. They do show off my extremely awesome camping chair though. Its a recliner, very fancy. Anyway, I'm thinking that maybe next year the trip should be planned for earlier in the summer, more July-ish, or else maybe further south, say Mexico-ish, to avoid this kind of sogginess. The Borbergs get the award for being total troopers. Not only did they spend the night on Saturday night, with 3 children in tow, but one of the children is only 2 months old. They are hardcore, it is very impressive. The site was on the middle fork of the Snoqualmie River, which is really beautiful. We went on a quarter mile hike down to the river through what I can only describe as rainforest. Very lush and green and mossy and gorgeous. Maisy was delighted to be on trail again, and Benjamin was pretty tolerant of being on backpack. He was fascinated with the campfire, and kept lunging toward it. There were a couple of appealing distractions for him, one being 2 empty dog dishes, that he was very interested in standing in, and a large log, that he quite enjoyed climbing up and walking across. Caj and Amy and Cooper were also there on a day trip, and it was fun to see the boys next to each other. You would never know Benjamin is 2 months older, Cooper is getting so big! It is really going to be cool to see them grow up together. Maisy was the only one who didn't mind the weather, she was just so happy to be outside, playing with her dog pals Zeus and Athena again. We did eventually have to tie her up, when too much rowdiness went on, but I think she had a pretty good time anyway.

Dog walking

Yesterday morning when we took the hound for her walk, it really felt like fall. We had to bundle up in jeans and jacket and SHOES (say good bye, lovely summer sandals). Benjamin was all snuggled into his blanket, and immediately fell asleep. Not that you can blame him, it is very snuggly. Quite the change from Saturday, when I went running (yes thats right, I said running) in capri pants and a tank top, and it seemed like maybe we would have summer for another month. This was my first foray into running with the jogging stroller. On the plus side, my knee felt pretty good, and I feel like I might be able to start actually running again (91 days until the Seattle half marathon! Time to get to work!) . On the minus side, running neighborhood streets with no curb cuts with a stroller is a pain. I think future runs will involve a warm up/cool down walk to and from the lake so as to avoid trying to run through the sidewalk to street changes.

Herbology and Care of Magical(ish) Creatures

We have begun the young laddy's outdoor education, starting with Laurel leaves (not edible) and yellow dogs (want to keep their tennis balls to themselves, thank you very much.)

BBQ weather, finally

We bbq'd at Pat and Lee's this weekend. Per Seattle tradition, (it being July 5th and all), the weather was gorgeous, so we go to hang out on the deck and in the yard. Benjamin and Grandma Pat did some tree climbing and bird watching, judging by the binocs. And Loren took some cute photos of Benjamin and Maria, and Maisy too. I'm sure there is more, but I am too tired to elaborate.