Creature Feature

Ok, I know that I am TERRIBLE about updating my blog regularly (quarterly?), and I am constantly "meaning to", but somehow it just doesn't get done.

Spring is always such a whirlwind time of year for us. Baseball season takes up a huge amount of time. This year was Ethan's first year of t-ball. Yeaaaaah... about 4 games into the season he pronounced that, "Baseball is boring, I don't want to play anymore." Anyone who knows Ethan, knows there is no point in arguing. (You know the baby-name-origins books? "Ethan" means stubborn.. wish I'd seen that before he was born! ;-) Anyhooo, he is now waiting for Soccer season to return, and leaving the diamond to Carter. Carter is on the "Sunrise" team this year, and really enjoying himself. The beginning of the season was a bit of a transition (up to a new league with older kids), and being the youngest and smallest player on the team was a bit of an adjustment. Fortunately, he has two really great coaches, and his playing has improved a ton.

Last week I chaperoned a field trip to the Pacific Science Center with the 3rd grade. After arriving at the Port Orchard Ferry dock at 6:15am, we took 2 ferries over to Seattle. On the Bremerton Ferry, many of the kids enjoyed feeding seagulls off the back deck (aft?) While in general I am not a huge fan of the gulls (too many childhood incidents ending with gullpoop in my hair), it was neat to see them flying at the same speed as the ferry, giving an impression that they were quite still.

seagulls

Once we finally arrived at the PSC, we had a great time exploring. We also saw a laser light show, and an IMAX movie about the Grand Canyon that was really amazing. Of course, there is never enough time to see and do everything that we want, but we made the most of the time we had. One of our favorite exhibits is always the Butterfly House. In all the years we've been coming to the PSC and the BH, I have never seen so many different varieties all so active before! It must be the time of year, but literally they were EVERYWHERE. Flying, flitting, eating, resting, and displaying their gorgeous colors.

The brightly colored flowers made fabulous backdrops to all the magnificent colors of the butterflies.

Natural camouflage

Spring Break

Wow, we've had a busy few weeks! It seems like we all have a bit of an energy burst when that spring sun comes out to play... here are some of our highlights!


Baseball season has officially begun! Carter's team this year, the "Glisson and Witt Crimson Eagles" are off to a terrific start! The boys have a lot of fun, and it's wonderful to see how much Carter's skills improve from year to year. He may not be destined for a baseball scholarship, but South Kitsap Western Little League.... Watch out!



Ethan and Bill got to go to the "Museum of Flight" in Renton for a field trip on March 29th. The boys got to see A LOT of airplanes, sat in a cockpit or two... and enjoyed an afternoon together. Ethan's favorite airplane? "The one that looks like a caterpillar" hmmmm... wonder which one that was?


After Carter's game on Saturday, the boys and I headed to Salem to visit Grandma and Grandpa. The weather on Sunday was so terrific, Dad and I decided to do a little letterboxing! We spent a few hours out at Willamette Mission State Park hiking and boxing. While we only found 2 out of 3 that day, we had a great time and really enjoyed the spring day. We also learned about this terrific "Ghost House"... a metal frame monument to the original mission erected in that spot a bazillion years ago. It's a really cool effect to look across the river and see the roofline. Not sure when it was put into place, but in all the years we've been visiting this local park, I'd never seen it before. Thanks Maiden... for the education :-)

The tulip is from the Deepwood Mansion garden... another letterboxing trip this week.

On Wednesday we headed to Pacific City on the Oregon Coast. While it was still a bit chilly, it didn't rain and overall the weather was quite nice. The boys L-O-V-E this beach because there is a LARGE sand dune at one end that they can climb... over, and over, and over... Carter, Ethan, and Dad are walking toward the sea and Haystack Rock in the photo above.

Right near this favorite spot, there just happens to be a delightful little park we never knew about... until (yeah, you know what's coming!) we went in search of a little bit-o-tupperware. The story goes that once upon a time, a little girl lost 2 pet bunnies near the park. Let alone, the couple founded a dynasty, which today boasts several hundred wild rabbits in this city park and surrounding area. You can buy bunny food nearby and feed them. They are pretty tame... if you are quiet enough they will come up and eat right out of your hand! The boys were enthralled with the cute little critters! I guess this will be another must-stop on all future visits to Pacific City!

After returning home on Thursday, Carter had another baseball game. And, of course, Sunday was Easter! The bunny came hopping by quite early at our house. After Bill's nap, we spent the afternoon at Irene's house eating,visiting with Great Grandma, and playing games. This shot of the boys seemed like a great way to sum up our spring break. Much fun was had by all!