For Those About To Rock.

The Hunt.

Sometimes you have to come up with a new scheme towards the end of the day.

I'm tired.

The kids are tired.

And all any of us want to do is watch more TV. 

So, instead of spending time with our good friend Curious George yesterday, we had a little scavenger hunt. 

Nothing earth-shattering.  Just little some'ins from our back yard.

The kids did just what they needed to meet the requirements.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.

I can dig that. 

Cuz there's nothing better than the satisfaction of a job...well...that's done.

Upon Arrival.

We went to a wedding this weekend. Whew - such a pretty wedding.

But more on that in a bit.

Before the wedding we met Grandpa so that Henry and Stella could have some fun while Dave and I went to rehearsals and such.

And these kids are just never happy to see their Grandpa. 

Exhibit A.

Thanks, Grandpa, for being so kind to these stinky lizards. 

They sure love ya. 

As do I.

Huh?

The 12th Year.

So - whew, this has been a busy week.  There's been painting, there's been driving, there's been school.  All kinds of crazy goodness. 

But, prior to all this hoo-ha, I got to hang out with my bro Jeff, Dee dee and Tyler. The goal was to take a couple shots of Tyler for his Senior pictures.  But it really turned out to be just one of the loveliest mornings in a while for me. Jeff took us on some backroads up in the mountains. We'd stop, get out, take pictures and...well, just hang out.  And I don't get to do that with him and his family very often. 

It was a good day.

And good company. 

And here are some of my favorite shots of that handsome fella Tyler.

Great kid.  Big fun.

Off You Go.

Big day.  Big day. 

First day of first grade for HJS. 

And first day as a "Senior" Tree Frog at preschool for Missy Miss.

Henry was excited. He was up bright and early, just laying on the couch, eyes facing forward. 

When we asked him if he was nervous, his answer was a very quick, "no."  Followed by a quick head movement, and then another intense look at the wall. 

What a big change for him.  And for all of us.

But there's good news all the way around. 

He's got his new shoes on.

His new backpack.

And he has a really fantastic teacher this year. 

What a great kid.  Can I say that if he's mine?  Hopefully so.  Cuz, whew, he just rocks.

Happy first of first, Henry.

5 Days and a Wake-Up.

School starts soon.  Too soon.  So we're getting in as much outdoor fun as we can in these last days, last hours.

Yesterday, we said goodbye to summer the right way. 

If I remember correctly, there were rollercoasters and ponies involved.

But more on that later.

For now, let's just jump and yell as much as we can for the next 120 hours.

Brilliant plan.

Lady Bird.

Family Fun x 30.

My fabulous cousin Beth turns 30 today.

To celebrate, the other DeBolts threw her one hell of a party this weekend.

Greg came up from Cali to bartend and kept us all in fantastic spirits for the evening.

It was one lovely evening. 

Happy Birthday, B.  You are simply fantastic. Indeed.

The Big Sprinkler.

Tap, Tap, Tap.

Stella's foray into the arts includes a love of Lady GaGa and a new dance class.

Which means we had to get some new shoes...

So, you know, look out Gene Kelly.

7 Slim.

School clothes shopping. 

It's one of my favorite things to do.  Always has been.  But now it also makes my stomach hurt a bit (it's been such a good summer, how can it be over already, man?). 

As it turns out, it might not be Henry's favorite thing to do. "You have to TRY ON the pants?  Why can't we just take em' home" (which sounds alot like DRS no one I know). Or, when deciding on shoes - the kind that he likes (orange, stripey running shoes with a big, black sole) or the kind that I like (cute brown skater-kid shoes), he proposes a seemingly simple question, "Is it my choice or your choice, mom - these shoes?"

Huh? No hint of sarcasm.  He just wants to know.  And that is a tough one. I pay for em.  But he has to wear them everyday and be happy. What-kind-of-mother-do-I-want-to-be? What-kind-of-mother-do-I-want-to-be? Damn.  Probably his choice.  Wrap up the orange ones.

Anyway.  We got this fella all hooked up. Shoes, pants, shirts, socks.

My 7 slim.

Although we're not quite ready to be done with summer clothes just yet.

Or Stella's idea of summer clothes, anyway.

Bullet Dodging and Island Living

We took a quick trip up to the San Juan Islands over the last few days.

And here's two things I know for sure.

1. Friday Harbor is NOT a town on Orcas Island. It's actual location is on San Juan Island in the San Juan Islands.  Confused yet?  Me too.
2. Sometimes ferry workers can be really mean, then really nice at the last minute and let you on a ferry that goes to the actual island you want to go to (instead of having to wait another two hours with two small children until the next ferry to the actual island you want to go to takes off). 

Whew.  Super fun 5 minutes prior to boarding that ferry is all I'm trying to say.

Wait. I know something else.  Camping in a tent that's already set up, has a wood floor and a queen size bed with a feather top mattress is the way to go.  I think that's what 40 has taught me.  Always have a canvas tent that's already set up, has a wood floor and a queen size bed with a feather top mattress when you go camping.  Oh, and some nice scenery, boating and good food don't hurt either.

 I mean, cue the fabulous scenery.  Who knew?  Not me. I  didn't know it was here, or what ferry line to be in to get here.

And there were several key elements of success on this journey:

• Pingpong by the lake
• Kids running as fast as they can as far as they can - at all hours of the day
• The English camp
• Smores
• Sorry - the game.  Not as in, I'm sorry that we almost missed the ferry. 

We'll trek back very soon. 

As long as the queen-sized bed with the feather top mattress is ready in our tent.

I just need the basics, that's all.