Going to the Lodge, Again!

The end of school has come, meaning the end of the Girl Scout year.  Sarah has officially finished her first year of Daisies and Holly is bridging to Juniors.  To celebrate, and to spend up the cookie money, both of their troops decided to head for Great Wolf Lodge.  Oh man, was it a good time! 

This year, I bunked with one of the other moms.  We had a great time just chatting the night away while our girls hung out with the troop (read not in our room -- a rarity for a single mom and a military spouse).  The next morning, I retrieved Sarah from her troop and met up with Holly's troop for lunch.  After lunch, the girls and I decided we were going to stay as long as they wanted!  We played and went down the slides.  We even got to enjoy the outdoor splash area -- a rarity for the first weekend in June in the PNW!!!

Finally, the girls were getting whiny and it was supper time.  We decided to head for the house and get in our jammies for the night.  

Kicking Off Summer

Usually, people count down the days until summer starts.  It means no school, warm days, and family time.  Well, we're those weird people who are counting down to the end of summer...  But instead of wallowing, we decided to celebrate Day 200. 

First up, air out the pop-up camper!  After all, it needed to be ready to go for when Ronnie got home.  We spent the night in it, jumping on the trampoline, and watching movies.  It was a lot of fun (and making a mental note that we need some sort of egg crate/padding for the bed). 

The next morning, we took off for our day in Tacoma.  I had checked out the Art Pass from the base library.  Basically, it's an annual pass that allows you to have admission into local museums.  After some research, I settled on the Tacoma Art Museum, as they were having an Eric Carle exhibit.  Brown Bear, Brown Bear was one of the girls' favorite books when they were little and how can you resist his beautiful art?  We strolled through the galleries and then headed up to the art room for a little hands on time with collage. 

After the museum, we grabbed some lunch and headed for the zoo.  Had to check on that baby tiger and all...   it was such a beautiful day.  We were lucky and got a spot relatively close to the front.  Of course, Mr. Peacock was showing off again....   And Kali, the baby tiger, was sleeping. 

So we headed for the aquarium and sea lions areas. The walrus was just swimming circles and would swim right up the glass.  The kids were so cute -- the would go WOW and clap anytime he did it.  Too fun!  Of course, we had to go over and see if the lemurs were out.  Last time it was still a bit too chilly. This time we found them napping in the sun. 

 

Before we left, we went back over and checked in with Kali.  We couldn't believe how big she's gotten.  It's just been two weeks since we saw her!  

 

 

 

On the way out, Holly started giggling to herself.  When I asked what was up, she said it's another Holly.  I said what?  And then she brought me over to the sign.  It's a False Holly with a True Holly.  Funny huh????  Silly girl! 



Capital City Five Miler

Another one in the books!  This time, it was the Capital City 5-Miler.  Again, Em was a lifesaver and came up to watch the girls for me while I went off and did my thing. 

Seriously, I may have a problem.  It took everything I had to not sign up for the Half Marathon -- especially when I realized I wasn't going to get a medal for this one.  Just call me "Will run for medals."

Ronnie ran the half last year and I've enjoyed a few runs around downtown Olympia, so I already knew what to expect: a HUGE hill or two, but mostly flat in between.  What I didn't bet on was how pretty the run would be.  Spring is definitely here!  Flowers are blooming; trees are budding a beautiful spring green; and the birds are chirping. 

After they let the marathoners and half marathoners start, it was time for us five milers to run!  Of course, the first mile was all uphill.  If you've ever driven around downtown Olympia, we ran up the hill on Capital Way.  OUCH!  I had already decided to walk up that bad boy -- no need in fighting and my "run" wouldn't be more than a walk anyhow.  Before I knew it, I was passing mile 1 and the course had leveled out and it was time to run!  

Most of the course was through the historic district and neighborhoods around the capital.  It reminded me of running the River Run in Jacksonville -- there were so many people out and cheering. 

As I neared the mile 3 marker, I looked up and saw this...  Galloway street. I ♥ Jeff Galloway!  I only hope the man know how much of an inspiration he is to so many. 

 





At mile four, I saw these ladies standing on the corner.  They were cheering and saying, only a mile left and it's all downhill from here!  I laughed and laughed -- unfortunately my picture with them didn't turn out.  But the camera guy on the course caught one of me and the capital building. 

After the capital building I faced that hill again...  this time I ran down the thing.  Running downhill definitely hurts and jars the joints a little more, but the finish line was so close so I did it anyway.  And cruised to a 1:02:31 finish!

Touristy Type Stuff

A few weeks ago, when we visited Texas, I talked with a friend of mine from Coke.  He mentioned that he was going to take an Alaskan cruise and would be porting out of Seattle.  I made him pinky promise that we would get together when he got to town. 

Well, this weekend was the weekend he came to town!!!  His plane didn't land until later in the afternoon, so I needed something to pass the time with the girls.  Well, wouldn't you know that the Point Defiance Zoo would come up with something...  A brand new baby tiger cub! 

So early Saturday morning, the girls and I got up and headed straight for the zoo.  We go there as soon as they opened the gates -- I know better than to wait around for the zoo on a pretty spring day as there would be no parking spots available.  As soon as we got through the gates, we made a beeline for the nursery.  And boy were we in for a surprise -- it was feeding time.  A sleepy baby tiger getting bottle fed?  The gushing over the cuteness could not be contained.

We also spent time feeding the Budgies, petting the sting rays, and watching the sharks get fed.

  Best of all, we got our own personal show from the peacock...  Talk about a showoff!!!!

Finally, I got the phone call I had been waiting for and we were on our way to pick up Jim and his friend.  We quickly decided to head down to the waterfront and stroll around there for a bit and get some supper.  We took him to Ivar's (of course), walked around the market, and browsed through Ye' Olde Curiosity Shop.  Unfortunately, the time to say goodbye came too quick and we were back on our way home. 

How Does Your Garden Grow (v.2)?

It's time, it's time!!!!   The sun is warm and bright.  And the garden is calling my name!

Planting got underway a few weeks earlier than last year. We've planted sugar snap peas, broccoli, bell peppers, and squash starts and tomatillo, cucumber, green beans, carrots, and lettuce seeds.  Of course, we also celebrated with a run through the sprinklers.  Em even joined in on the fun!!! 

 

All in all, we had a great weekend!  We helped a friend, saw Em, played outside, had fellowship with the women from church, and ate dinner on the patio.  Aaaaaahhh! Spring in the PNW -- more than makes up for the grey winter.

The Talk

This morning started as just about any other weekend morning does.  The girls let me sleep in a bit.  Eventually, I got up, got a cup of coffee, and checked the news while cuddled up with Holly on the couch. 

Sarah made her way downstairs about 10 minutes after me and needed some encouragement to not kill anyone because we did not have her favorite cereal in the pantry.  She's about the same type of morning person as I am in the morning.  Poor thing. 

Finally, it was time to start getting ready for church, so I sent the girls upstairs as I straightened the kitchen.  After I got done, I headed up the stairs and checked up on where they were at in the getting ready process.  Sarah came skipping out in a skirt and top on her way to the bathroom to brush her hair and teeth.  Holly had picked a new skirt to wear, so I helped her adjust the waistband. 

Then just as easy as the morning had been going so much, and with as much effort as asking where the bathroom was...  it happened. 

"Momma, what is puberty?"

Unfazed, I answered Holly just as easily as giving directions to the bathroom.  See, we've been talking about this stuff for awhile, so a lot of if was review of previous conversations.  But I had a feeling about this...  I told her that I was going to get ready but to come into my bathroom when she got done. 

A few minutes later, and as I was applying my makeup, she made her way into my bathroom.  We continued talking about the stages of female puberty, the changes, yada yada yada.  I wrapped it up by telling her it was no different than the seeds we just planted in our vegetable garden that would one day bear food for us. 

Yeah, that analogy was the one...  that right there.  Because she said, yeah, because it means I can have babies, right? 

**GULP!

Yes, baby it does.  (Come on Chris, keep the eyeliner straight -- don't let her see your hand trembling). 

But, how momma?  How do girls get pregnant? 

** DOUBLE GULP!!! 

Well, remember we had that talk about your body and your body parts and boy's bodies and their body parts.  Remember, mommy's have the seeds, daddy's have the water.  That's how.  (PLEASE, LORD, LET THIS BE ALL) 

Yes, but how? 

You want to know the mechanics of it? 

Yes, how do a boy and a girl have a baby?  How does the boy get the girl pregnant?


There it is.  That is the question I've been waiting for and dreading.   She's asking and is looking to me for the answer -- her momma who knows a lot of answers on Jeopardy and who's had two babies.  Certainly mommy knows this answer.  And looking at me with those crystal blue innocent eyes that just pierce my soul and make me wish that she isn't growing up so quickly.  It's time to tell her, right?

I swallowed hard.  And said, okay, let's talk.  I took her by the hand and led her to my bed and we sat. 

And that's when we had the talk.  You know THE TALK. 

I don't know how well or poor I did.  I do know that she thinks boys are gross (YES!!!!).  But I know I told her that this would be the start of many conversations we would have about her body as it changes over the next few years.  I also hugged her and told her that I loved her and thanked her for asking me. 

Here's the thing I just want her to know, I'm here to talk with her about this and anything else on her mind.  I hope she knows how much I love her and that I am trying my best.  I hope she reads this as a twenty-something and invites me over for dinner, or out to drinks, or calls me on the phone and tells me that it was the most AWKWARD talk ever -- that way she and I can have the drink I've been craving since 9 am this morning. 

One down and one to go -- so far, Sarah seems to be the most likely to beat up the boys she likes.   

Family Fun Day!!!

Have I mentioned that I am in my LAST CLASS for my Masters???  Yes, I am. Yes, I am! And it now feels like the elephant has been removed from my shoulders.  Of course, I have another elephant in its place (the whole husband deployed thing) but we're coping.  Day 166...  *sigh. 

After Girl Scout camp and our Spring Break fun, it seemed like we were having a bit of a drag around here this week. Lucky for me, Emily came up for the weekend and gave me some much needed company Friday night.  But still...  we needed to have a bit of fun. 

Enter family fun day with a twist - I set it up Geocache style.  I arranged my Google calendar to text me coordinates and clues for when and where the girls and I needed to go. 

The first cache - Pedicures!!!!  Did you know Holly owns her own nail salon?  Right here in Lacey?  Yep, she does - Holly's Nails on the corner of Pacific and College.  LOL!

 
The second clue came in as we were finishing up...   it sent us to Panera for lunch.  Have you tried the Spinach Power salad - YUM!!!

Cache 3 sent us back home for trampoline time (and to pick up Emily)....   Cache 4 came in and it was time to pack in the car and head for theater to see The Croods!  Cache 5 sent us for some more food -- this time our favorite Mexican restaurant. 

Last but certainly not least, cache 6 sent us for our favorite fro-yo and toppings place, Limeberry!  YUM!  While it wasn't geocaching in the traditional sense, I think a fun time was had by all!