the town of or

Jake the Scientist, and Ben dissected owl skulls and pellets this evening. We found them under a tree in our yard. Nineteen mouse skulls and many small bones. Yum!

Jake's first t-ball game. Fun!

Schools were closed today due to snow. We played outside and made this guy.

This weekend marked the fourth annual Labor Day "camping" trip, spent up at the cabin with the Bakers, Cramers, Sanders and Skiptons. 10 adults and 10 kids. We had glorious weather (for the first time in four years). This was the year of stomp rockets, a new motor boat, and a fire burning in the Olympic Mountains that made for some cool sunsets.

This morning marked Jake's first day of kindergarten. Yesterday we got to see his classroom, and meet some of his classmates. Jake had no problem jumping up onto the bus; and his mother and father did OK too. After he pulled off, we retreated home to care for Eli (who's starting a new preschool today) and to utilize the "Parent Survival Kit" provided by his awesome teacher - Mrs. Colby. The kit has kisses, a nice note about how she'll care for him, Kleenex, and tea to calm our nerves.

We just returned from a week in Sapphire, NC - hanging out with Teach For America buddies of twenty years. 12 adults; 13 kids; giant bullfrog tadpoles; slow food; capture the flag; flying kids; and canoe and motor boat rides. Jake and Eli each caught their first fish. What a blast!

We visited our friends' farm tonight. Cows...pigs...turkeys...
Oh, and don't forget the electric fences and mating roosters too - oh my!

On July 4th, Grandma Leelee joined Eli and Ben to explore the beach during a super low -2 tide. Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. Pictured here: the Olympics across Hood Canal; Eli with purple seastar; and a moon snail's egg case.

Jake got Sea Monkeys (brine shrimp) for his birthday. I played with my camera to try to get some closeups. Aliens? (I need to get more light on them and will keep playing).

Jake had his "graduation" ceremony at First Years Preschool today. We were pleased to hear from his teacher that nobody was held back and all his classmates will be attending kindergarten next year. :-)