{Iambic Quadrameter at Its Finest}

Newsflash: It's SUNNY and HOT in the Pacific Northwest.

I'm aware that "talking about the weather" is about as unoriginal a topic as can be. But. We've had some pretty decent summer weather around here, which has made for some fun excursions.

It's also addled my brain, so I shan't write much. Or well.

Nonetheless, I offer a series of rhyming descriptions. Just for you.

The Pacific Ocean has lots of sand;

I can hold it in my hand!

Brother can float in country or city,
 

While little sister holds . . . a kitty.

Paddling with cousins is lots of fun,

Especially when Auntie and Clara come. 

 Little Boy Blue dangles his feet,

While big brother, Ethan, dries off in the heat.

Two sweet pixies splash in the pool:

While crazy cousins try to keep cool.

The drinking fountain has lemonade;

And dear old Maizy stays in the shade.

The End.

Cousins Camp! Day 5

In which I am hoodwinked into taking ALL of the cousins to the park. So my sister can go shopping.

I couldn't resist. The truth is I offered to take the kids so my sister could get some groceries and grab the goodies for tonight.

The grand finale of Cousins Camp was a quick play time at the park in the early afternoon followed by a late afternoon rest (in our own homes) so we could gear up for the last hurrah: a hot dog roast and movie night at Papa and Noni's.



It took quite some time to make our way to the park. This was largely due to the fact that Miss Kate insisted on roller skating. The whole way. Those skates are really noisy.



There were also a number of scooters to reckon with. But we made it there and back again unscathed, and the kids had no problem filling the time with all sorts of activities.




Then we went to our respective homes and rested. I didn't even have to tell the kids to do it. They voluntarily sequestered themselves. I guess we really needed it.



We gathered again in the early evening. The weather was amazing. The dogs were roasted to perfection, with Papa tending the fire and coaxing the most ideal glow from the coals.



Chins dribbled with watermelon as we laughed over yesterday's deception and reveled in the beauty of being together.



The roast was followed by a movie in Papa and Noni's basement. We had all agreed earlier in the week that The Apple Dumpling Gang would be a fun choice.

We settled down, dimmed the lights and snuggled on pillows. Partway through the movie Noni surprised the kids once again. No, she did not alter her appearance. She simply whispered to Papa, who pushed pause, and said it was time for dessert. But not just any old dessert. Apple dumplings.

The kids rolled their own dough and added the filling.



After they had baked to perfection, we added a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Mmmm. Deliciousness.



Finally, the credits rolled, and "The End" followed a goofy Don Knotts and Tim Conway across the screen -- a rather appropriate symbol for the last day of Cousins Camp.

We had a great week. And we'll definitely do it again next summer. But for now, we're all completely wiped out. We've bribed the children to sleep in, and don't plan to wake up until sometime next week.

So the biggest question now is this: Who is the most exhausted?



The cousins?



Or their mothers?

I'll let you decide.

Cousins Camp! Day 4

In which we are refreshed . . . and surprised. Thrice.

Krista and I decided that we would sleep in a bit and start camp a little later this morning. It was a good plan. We were chipper and refreshed, and ready for some mini-golf at the Steakburger in good ol' Hazel Dell.



What we didn't know is that we were in for a surprise. Or three. (Thankfully, these unexpected events did not involve dog poop or insect bites.)

The first surprise was that Drew had secretly invited a friend and his older brother to meet us. They just "happened" to show up. Such a coincidence! Drew was pretty pleased to pull one over on mom. They had a great time.

The second surprise was that Daddy decided to join us. Apparently Aidan had casually said this morning, "You should come with us, Daddy!" So Daddy did.



My heart did a little flip-flop when I saw my tall, dark and handsome guy suddenly saunter through the geraniums and swing his little Miss Kate up in a hug. She was thrilled and immediately claimed Daddy for her exclusive golfing partner.



We had all arrived, so the kids formed little groups and began golfing. Krista and I took up the rear as little Clara wielded a putter with as much cuteness as can be. We didn't get much golfing in, but it sure was fun to watch.



As the kids made their way through the various obstacles, we noticed an older couple at the hole behind us. My sister quietly ached for the woman who was obviously wearing a wig. Cancer, perhaps? Poor thing.



I, however, noticed the twinkle in her eye and the intentional limp in her step.



It was our mother.

Hidden under large straw hats and sunglasses, our parents masqueraded as "old folks" for as long as they could. The kids kept on playing, but one by one they began to glance at the frail couple, then glance away. They glanced back, glanced away, and hesitated. Finally they got up the nerve to say, "Papa?"



They were rewarded with big smiles, for it was indeed Papa and Noni. Fresh from a vacation, they were eager to dole out lots of hugs to the grandkids.



I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.



We wrapped up the game and decided to grab an ice cream cone before we left. The kids were delighted with their chocolate-vanilla swirls, and we reminisced about the youth group events that used to take place at that very restaurant. (Youth events, by the way, that had my heart doing that very same flip-flop over that very same man.)



It was soon time to part ways and shout, "See you tomorrow!" Mini-golf had been a blast, and the added surprises made it priceless. I think the kids all agree that it was the best day yet.

Cousins Camp! Day 3

In which The Cousins (and their mothers) become cranky.

Day three, and our stamina is being tested. Turns out that agreeing to meet for an adventure and pack a lunch at a specific time each day is a bit draining. Fun, but draining. The kids (and their mothers) are still very excited about Cousins Camp. They're just getting sleepy. And cranky.



That said, we had a lovely little walk along the Lacamas Lake Heritage trail this afternoon. In lieu of a traditional post, I will offer here a list of observations.

1. Hiking during the heat of the day is not ideal. Especially when wearing black capris.

2. Stepping in dog poop is not at all glamorous. It's gross. Mothers aren't supposed to do things like that. But sometimes they do.



3. Little boys enjoy dragging their feet as they walk. It makes a lot of dust. It's very annoying. Especially when the mothers must apologize to the bikers who pass by, coughing and choking in disgust.



4. Sunburned shoulders will likely chafe when a five-year-old demands to be carried piggy-back style on her mama's back.

5. This unpleasant sensation is rivaled only by the discomfort that comes when the child begins to slip down her mama's back, bringing mama's hair and aforementioned black capris . . . southward. (It is at this point that mama ignores her maternal instinct and opts for modesty instead. She drops that child.)



6. It takes a substantial amount of time to alert eight children that a biker or jogger is coming up from behind and that everyone must move to the right. Immediately. No, to the right!



7. When a child offers to take a picture of the mothers, she will likely not care or notice that one mother's eyes are closed and the other mother's mouth is open.



8. The mothers will get a better picture if they snap it themselves.

9. Another unpleasant sensation is that of being eaten alive. Beware of vicious bugs or plants that thrive on ankle flesh.



10. Two miles seems like a very long distance when one must deal with items one through nine. A very long distance.

I wonder if the kids would be terribly disappointed if we suggested a lengthy napping session for tomorrow's event instead of miniature golf. Think they'll go for it?

Cousins Camp! Day 2

We were a bit groggy this morning after so much fun in the sun yesterday, but as soon as I said, "It's time for Cousins Camp!" the kids popped out of bed and downed their cold cereal. (I think they were a bit relieved to find that we were running late, though. That meant that mom didn't have time to make boring old oatmeal.)

Today we kept it simple and low key, partly to pace ourselves lest we all collapse on Friday, and partly because our afternoon schedules held other commitments.

My sister, Krista, had noticed that the movie theaters are running their summer deals for kids. It seemed pretty perfect that Kit Kittredge happened to be scheduled for this week. So we met at the theater, paid our dollar a head, and filed in. We rarely go to the movies, and it was a first for my sister's kids. Accordingly, there was substantial ear-plugging during the first few minutes. But once they grew accustomed to the volume, they settled down and did really well. Even little Clara sat dutifully on her mother's lap and enjoyed the show.

Although I've seen the movie a few times, it never ceases to delight me. Such a fun story, an endearing main character and uplifting sentiment. Add a stellar cast (Julia Ormond is always beautiful and Joan Cusack is always funny) and it makes for a great show.

A quick taco lunch back at our place and we parted ways. I wish I would have thought to say something cheesy like, "That's a wrap!" as The Cousins piled in the van and drove away. You know, movies . . . and tacos . . . get it? (Cue cricket chirp.)

Well, until next time, when I hope to give you an exciting account of our adventures on the Lacamas Lake trail. Cheerio!

Cousins Camp! Day 1

A few weeks ago my sister and I decided to create a little "stay-cation" for our kiddos. We settled on the first week of August, which is turning out to be an excellent choice. The weather has been absolutely perfect and promises to stay that way. Hooray! It's finally summer in the Pacific Northwest.

For day one we headed up to Lewisville Park. The kids spent most of the time splashing in the Lewis River. And asking for snacks. And showing us old fishing hooks and looking intrigued rather than duly frightened when we said scary things about tetanus.



Clara was comfortable with the river . . . as long as mama was nearby.



Miss Kate likes her comfort, too. Although she did impress me when she fell in the water at one point and went "All the way up to here!" (pointing to her shoulders). She giggled and spurted without making one little cry. This girl's growing up.



In addition to the eight cousins, we had two other guests with us, all the way from Haiti! See the little paper doll girls? They're visiting for a few weeks, and will return to Haiti with some pretty fun stories to tell. They are very polite little girls and enjoyed their time at the river tremendously.

After the last of the Capri Suns had been guzzled, the cousins finally hugged each other goodbye. It was easier saying goodbye today. 'Cause it's always fun to part with the promise, "See you tomorrow!"

The Cousins Go to the Library

One of my very favorite places to visit is the public library. In fact just the other day I had a rare two hours to myself to go shopping at the mall. I came home with a top . . . and a library book. I later relayed this information to my sister who raised her eyebrows with something akin to disdain.

But this same sister was also eager to suggest that "The Cousins" visit the new library in downtown Vancouver. So Monday afternoon, we loaded up the vans and got our first glimpse of the fancy new house of books. It wasn't cozy and quaint, which is what I prefer in a library, but it was fun and impressive. The kids had a blast. And they didn't even need to worry about being quiet; the entire third floor is dedicated solely to children.

Come and join us at the Vancouver Community Library . . .



Where even walking through the front door is exciting. And twirly. (We left many fingerprints.)



It kind of has a children's-museum-meets-library atmosphere. Lots of cool structures and, of course, plenty of recycled materials. Because that's what we do in the 'Couv.



Bethie was in heaven. She could read all day. She does read all day.



The techno-savvy cousins, Clara and Little Miss Avery Kate . . .



Eden and Athan . . . er . . . I mean Ethan and Aidan . . . .



And finally my Little Miss, enjoying some solitude on the upper deck with Clifford, the Big Red Dog.

When we got back to the vans, we realized that Avery had left her doll "somewhere in the library." This is rather unfortunate in a place that boasts five levels and 83,000 square feet.

Thankfully, I happened to notice that there was a play section filled with dolls on the children's level. I ran back inside and sure enough, Miss Kate's doll, Mary Lynn, had been scooped up by someone and deposited in the play area. She had been completely undressed (Mary Lynn, not Miss Kate), with every stitch of clothing strewn hither and yon.

I explained to the little boy that was playing with Mary Lynn that Mary Lynn belonged to my daughter. I was grateful that he relinquished the doll without causing a scene. I scanned the floor for her attire, not sure of what she had been wearing when Avery had so carefully dressed her that morning. A kind gentleman helped by picking up piece by piece of doll clothing, "Is this it? Is this it?"

We eventually found it all, including a pair of tiny purple panties. It will be some time before I can erase the image of this older man lifting the wee undergarments and raising his eyebrows to ascertain whether or not they belonged to Mary Lynn. They did. I blushed. And high-tailed it back to the vans where my sister and eight children were eagerly awaiting my return.

There's never a dull moment, I tell you. Never a dull moment. Even at the library.