Chapter 2: The Rolling Huts

Ben and the bigger boys took a trip to Winthrop back in June to visit the Rolling Huts.

It was posh "camping" with lots of fun that could only be had with Dad. When I talked to them on Day 2, Leo said "It's so awesome, we got pistols AND ice cream. Enough said.

This shot above is one of my favorites that Ben took. I am hoping to get a group of painters together a couple nights a month in the dead of winter, and I want to put this one on canvas. Probably because it already looks like a painting.

Armed and dangerous hiker. Pistol, binoculars, walkie talkie, and ninja moves.

Finn's favorite pose of the season, which coincidentally was Leo's favorite pose LAST summer.

I guess it was hot as shit inside the luxury huts. Again, so glad they had so much fun without me.

Chapter 3: Finn's Summer Wardrobe

It's either the tie-dyed shirt from Camp SuperFun or his Birthday Suit, that's it.

Please take a moment to admire our "Lettuce Trees".

Hands down, the most impressive specimens in this summer's kitchen garden.

We had four, but Finn picked the green ones "because, I thought we could eat them for dinner tonite."

Chapter 4: Alderbrook

Every so often, we get incredibly lucky and go on vacation in style with my brother and Rachel. Alderbrook was soooooo FUN! A perfect summer moment.

Chapter 5: I HEART VAUGHN

And our friends who live there

And swimming in warm salty water

And blackberries

And chipmunks

And Key Center

Chapter 6: Ready to Roll

He really is BIG and bold and so much more brave with every bit of time that passes.

Training wheels off, no big deal after a bit of practice with Dad. Other stuff too, like wandering around the 6th ave farmer's market with his neighbor buddy like they owned the place. Last year he wouldnt even go for his hate of the people in costumes and all racket from the local music stage. We even made an appointment at Supernova for a haircut tomorrow that he seems to be looking forward to. He didn't kick the dentist last week. He is convinced that he has found his mate for life. He takes all sorts of adventure bites. He would prefer to spend afternoons at the neighbor's. And he starts Kindergarten on Thursday. So many adventures to come for this guy.

"We should get a motor boat like Larry's, because you know how much Dad loves beer. You just go in the cabin, open the seat, and BEER PARADISE!"

This Morning

Our farmer friend Val has chickens. Once you've had the farm fresh eggs, you are ruined for life on the ones from the store. They are so different it is gross. When I move to Vaughn or Vashon or Europe or Mexico, I am getting chickens for sure. And a goat. There was a goat at the farmers market on a leash. So cute.

jewish grandmothers' delight

Stella might think Finn is pretty awesome, but how many of us would die to have a baby picture with our husband? We will call them boyfriend and girlfriend until they are able to protest.

the ocean

Beach blankets, lots of snacks, buckets, shovels, boots, 1 trusty kite, and 3 boys. It seems like a short list but it sure fills up the car. In lieu of my nasty condition, we missed our camping trip to Lopez Island, but made up for it a bit by heading out to Westport for the day. I love the ocean. The sound, the smell, and the sand. Oh the sand. And the surfers, of course. The people watching in general. I love our kite, it is the easiest kite to fly but most impressive with a dragon tale that is at least 30 feet long. I love sandy sandwiches and rigged up beach shelters, and babies falling asleep on beach blankets.

RAAAAAAAAHHHHRRRRRR!

warning to readers: i feel a little grouchy today. if you are related to me, proceed with caution.

well, I am sorry to report that the combination of turning 34, and spending an entire week celebrating the fact has resulted in a nasty case of pneumonia in my left lung. what the fuck!?! seems unjust.

i'm kind of over mojitos anyway after the 5 day bender that coincided with the hot weather and important summer holidays. plus, by the end of the night on my birthday i was totally annoyed by the melon bacardi, wished i hadnt wasted the limon bacardi on the previous evening, and really just really wished that i had some plain old original bacardi matched with amazing mojito bartending skills. it was only halfway through the evening when i ran out of aforementioned annoying melon bacardi, which may have more than a little bit to do with why i find it so annoying. i had just been getting really into the spirit of things and was about to do some drunken dancing to hall and oates, when to make matters worse, my freakishly fancy cousin arrived late "just in from fancyland" (dear fancy, sorry you have to take this one for the team, it was just a case of bad timing. but you really should loosen the fuck up because guess what? no one fucking cares!) so note to self for next year: 1.buy lots more rum so that there is zero possibility of running out, vodka too! 2.designate SOMEONE ELSE to be in charge of making the drinks, or better yet, serve beer 3. do not allow freakishly fancy people anywhere near the party.

the party was actually wonderfully fun despite the end results. Ben made a deeeelicious lemon cake. special guest stars like charlie were in town who i love so so dearly, what a treat! i got a few very sweet gifts. and best of all, i had more than a few very sweet laughs with all of my favorite girls. and thank goodness for sangria which seemed to be abundant.

so other than the elephant that is sitting on my left lung, missing babies & big boys play date at cory's cabin, and it being monday,,,things are pretty good. I finally saw Where the Wild Things Are. It was sad but beautiful to watch. Also, I listened to the episode of This American Life called "first contact" that aired a couple of weeks ago. I love to lay in bed at night sometimes and stream TAL like a bedtime story. So this was a few nights ago before I found out that my lung really was trying to kill me, and I was feeling pretty miserable, so I thought Ira Glass could shed some comfort...well, the third story had rather the opposite effect, but was so emotionally heart wrenching, it is about 3 brothers in Iraq and their friend in Virginia. I would highly recommend every asshole in America listen to it and try to put themselves in the shoes of the people within the story for even a moment. They are heavy, blistering shoes, and so far away, but I think we need these blisters to remind us. That's all.