We intended to go camping last weekend--we had made reservations online for a campground halfway between Portland and Puyallup--but no one wanted to camp in the rain. So unfortunately we forfeited our $48 per family (too late to get a partial refund) and decided to hang out instead (inside)!
Kieran and Daniel were determined to have a yard sale. Kieran had brought up a box of things to sell, although we cautioned both kids that there would be NO sale if it rained. What do you know? Clear skies and sunny from about 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! We threw together a very quick "kids yard sale," with clearly kid-drawn signs and even a hasty ad on craigslist. We did not expect them to earn any money. I started the sale off by buying a $1 DVD for Nicholas (Thomas the Tank Engine), because I figured then they would at least have a dollar. The kids had decided to pool all their money and split it--you can tell how much they love each other!
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| Setting up |
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| Want to buy some kids? (Yard Kid Sale) |
We were completely amazed when they made $44! One sweet woman came by and bought most of the DVDs for her (future) grandchildren. She was a special-ed teacher and was searching out Iron Man paraphernalia for one of her students. Although my nephews own Iron Man toys, they were not for sale. After donating $4 to charity, they each came away with $10 each.
At one point, Mike and David took the boys on a bike ride while Nadine and I watched the sale. Unfortunately, poor Daniel got stung by a yellow jacket--while he was innocently stopped on his bike, not bothering anyone! That marked the fourth yellow jacket sting this summer--Garrett got stung during our trip to Vancouver BC, and Mike was stung there and one time at home. They are extremely aggressive this summer.
Nadine and I were able to get away in the afternoon to take a walk around
Bradley Lake a couple of times. The kids played, played, and played more.
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| Stop! Police, fire, and Buzz Lightyear! |
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Speed Racer--Daniel wants to be a race car driver when he grows up
(Dream on, Daniel! your parents, not to mention your auntie, will never let you in a race car!) |
Saturday evening we invited our wonderful friends Nancie and Dave over for dinner. I've known Nancie for 10 years now--we used to be on the same management team at work. When we first met, we hit it off immediately. We were born exactly 10 years apart and share a birthday (October 6). They are Nicholas' godparents, and Nadine and David and Nancie and Dave have NEVER met, before Saturday night. They got along like a house on fire. We had the best time!
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| The kids watching a video while the grown-ups have a fancy dinner in the dining room |
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| Two of my closest friends, real sister Nadine and birthday sister Nancie! |
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| Kieran lost another tooth Saturday night |
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| Our kids all adore Nancie and Dave too |
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| Late at night after too much wine and laughter! |
The kids played together extraordinary well, as always. It never ceases to amaze me to see how well they all get along. They are best buddies.
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| Ryan and Nick playing Batman |
And even though Chris is the elder statesman of the group--and is often off by himself reading or using his iPod Touch--today he told me how much he missed his cousins, too. (Nick is the one who expresses this thought the most.)
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