Lumberjack!

We cut down some small trees (or at least we thought they were small until they fell!) in our front yard this weekend.  Kylie and Ben were a lot of help!

 

While cutting up the tree, Brad asked Kylie if he wanted to learn how to use the chainsaw.  Of course she did!

 

She also had climbed the tree before we cut it, tying a rope near the top to help us guide it when it fell.  She can do pretty much anything she sets her mind to!

 

Teaching Ben to Sew

Ben had an American Revolution project for Social Studies.  He chose to make an American Flag.  When he told me about it, I assumed he would use construction paper and glue.  When it was time to start the project, he told me he wanted to actually sew the flag.  I convinced him felt was an acceptable material and figured I could teach him, after all, it's just a few straight lines.

I remember when my mom tried to teach me to sew.  She's a perfectionist.  I'm a "good-enough-ist."  It didn't go well.  Every time she told me to pick out a seam and do it over, I'd say, "But mom, it's good enough!" Not for her, it wasn't.  I had to pick it out and do it over and over until it was just right.  Now, teaching  Ben to sew, I heard myself saying, "Looks good!" and Ben saying, "No, mom, it's not straight.  I need to do it over." Clearly my mom's perfectionism skipped a generation!

 

He worked on it until he felt it was perfect and was very pleased with the result!

Windermere Cup

Because of Kylie's boat's 2nd place finish at the Brentwood Regatta, they were invited to race in the Windermere Cup on opening day of boating season.  Ben and I made a day of it and went to watch.

Walking to the Montlake Cut, we ran into the Husky Marching Band!

We sat across the Cut from the official Windermere tent.

Looking up the Cut, which was closed to boating traffic during the race.  I think these boats must have been getting in position to watch the parade.

Our seats were right across from the finish line, which I didn't even realize until we had been sitting there for a while!

And right in front of the Husky Cheerleaders! 

Ben and I waiting for the races to start.

There they go!  In first place!  Kylie is in the red hat.

After the race, which they won, they stayed out in Lake Union until all the races were finished.

Rowing back.

Ben and I stayed for a bit of the Opening Day parade.

Here's the marching band again, in the parade!  It was a fun day!

Ben's Band Concert

The Fifth Grade Band at Sakai puts on one concert towards the end of the school year.  Ben has been playing percussion and has learned a lot!  As you can see in the video, he really gets into it!

 

 

Photography

Jillian is taking a film photography class at school and wanted to go down to the beach to take some pictures.  I took the opportunity to take some pictures of her taking pictures! And some of Ben, too.

 

 

Spring is here!

We've had some beautiful March days, the kind that tempt you to come sit outside in the sun and when you do, it's actually warm! Plus, the early spring flowers are blooming!

 (photos courtesy of Jillian)

 

 

On one of these lovely afternoons, I decided it was warm enough to visit the beach.  We still needed jackets, but we were able to enjoy the water and sand for quite a while.  We went home because we had other things to do, not because we were too cold!

 

This little piggy greeted us from the path back up to the car.

Ben

I usually take pictures of my kids in the fall instead of buying "school pictures," but somehow that didn't happen this past year.  Here are some pictures of Ben this spring, instead. Handsome kid, isn't he?

 

 

Do you wanna build a snowman?

It wasn't a lot of snow, but it was perfect for making snowmen!