Flying Into Double Digits!

Can you believe the boys are 10????  It's amazing to think about the day they came into this world.  It was a crazy day for us all, including their first helicopter ride - so it only seems fitting that they fly on their 10th birthday.

Finally using, a gift from Ronnie, the boys each invited a friend and we headed to iFly, an indoor skydiving experience.  We were a little worried that we'd get there and the boys would back out - they do have a history with being risk averse as highlighted below:

  - Noel and Bruce waited an hour for the CARS ride at Disney only for Noel to back out at the literal last second (followed by one of Bruce's proudest parenting moments ever)

 - Ronnie convinced the boys to go to a haunted house and as they arrived, Ethan got spooked by the fog machine in front of the haunted house and said, "Nope - not happening!"

We were hoping the fact that they were going with their friends and that would give them the social support to overcome any trepidation they might have.  

We arrived, checked in and sent upstairs to await our turn.  The thing about iFly is that you watch other people doing this before your turn.  Which can be fun, but also might make one nervous.....and looking at Ethan, you could see his face and his brain analyzing the experience.  He started asking questions, and thankfully, Bruce just kept reassuring him that it's safe, fun and "I will push you into that tunnel, goddammit!" (the last was really my comment, it's just better for my likability if I ascribe it to Bruce).

So - we're up and we all file into the holding area for our turn and Bruce and I are looking at the boys.  Definitely some nerves, but they are still on-board.  Each person gets two turns - the first turn is about getting your bearings and figuring it out.  And on the cold turn, your can choose to "go high", which is where you go up about 20 feet in the tube.  All four us chose to go high and you can see the results below!

Up first: Adam

We felt like my history in diving would make me a natural.  I started off great and then totally flipped over, smashed into the side and ended up rear up, head down and lacking any sort of grace.  Luckily, I  did better on the second round, which is what the video showcases.

Up Second: Noel

My lack of grace took the edge off - the boys saw that nothing bad could really happen, so Noel was ready to go!  He's the more solid of the two boys and his great core made for a successful first and second round!

   

Up Third: Ethan

For being a little apprehensive beforehand, he stepped right in - and then his hilarious thin body got whipped around - his legs were like wet spaghetti at first, and then he got the hang of it.  Ethan also gets the award for best facial expressions 

Bringing Us Home: Bruce
And where we thought I would bring the most grace and flair, Bruce said, "Let me show you how it's done!"  Bruce gave us the best form and the best face - he really should be in a commercial for iFly!

Overall, it was a huge success - everyone had a great time and can't wait to see what we do when they turn 20!!  Hint - it won't be actual skydiving.

School Photos - 2019/2020 (Fourth Grade)

This summer, I concocted a new "thing" I wanted to try out (I'm sure everyone is shocked by that statement).  Historically, when buying the boys' clothes, I buy a bunch of stuff, bring it home and put it in their closets.  Not much input comes from them and they haven't really cared about the art of fashion.

This year, Avo was in town right before school and I wanted to take them shopping.  So, we headed downtown and split up with the boys.  I took one to one store and she took the other and we switched midway through.  It was amazing to watch them pick out their own clothes.

Noel - he surprised me with having any opinions on clothes for someone whose fashion sensibility would historically be described as "comfort-driven."  He picked a variety of clothes and you could tell he was very pleased with many of his choices.

Ethan - he was hilarious.  Avo and I experienced the same thing - it was as if we were his personal shopper.  We'd walk with him and he'd say, "oh - I'll take one of these (hands us a shirt), and one of these (hands us pants).  Oh - I'd like this, but could you find it in a medium?"  Classic Ethan.  

Cut to Fourth Grade Pictures - they were super excited to pick out their own outfits and we also were able to style their hair in a way that lasted the day until it was time for picture.  Usually, they comb it in the morning and by the time pictures come, it's a center part disaster.

Ethan - he went with a handsome red plaid shirt, grey pants and high tops (you can see those in the class photo):

Noel - initially, Noel those a very "Dude Bro" outfit.  It was a camouflage button-up shirt, torn jeans and high tops.  It was actually a well-curated outfit, just more fit for a night out in Los Angeles than for school photos.  He ended up with a nice plaid shirt, pants and high tops as well:

School Photo Retrospective - through Fourth Grade

UPDATED THROUGH FOURTH GRADE

Summer 2019: Wrapping Up the "Boys of Summer"

Ok - It's been a year since we last posted and I promised Bruce I would dedicate some time each week to catch up on posts.  So, once again, be prepared for some time travel as we document the last 12-18 months.

As many of you know, I retired into a full-time domestic role earlier this year and I had my eyes on the best summer ever for the boys and me.  Looking back, we achieved what I wanted - a mix of camps, downtime and some unplanned excursions - and we accomplished a lot!

Today wrapped up the last week of summer and Ronnie was able to coax us out of the house and up to Big Four Ice Caves about 90 minutes NE of Seattle.  It was a beautiful drive and the perfect hike to end the summer.

We began the hike trying to get a quick family photo and Noel is peaking his "eyes shut in photos" phase.  It's not intentional, he's just shutting his eyes in 90% photos lately.  See below for an example of what it's like:

Take 1: Too dark, not Noel's fault

Take 2: Noel's eyes shut

Take 3: Seriously, Ron - are Noel's eyes shut again?

Take 4: Stop it - you're messing with me now - they're really shut?!?!?

Take 5: I was exasperated and not ready for the shot - to Noel's credit his eyes weren't shut.

Take 6: We finally got it!

Classic stance with Ethanoel - Ethan hugging his favorite person in the world:

Off we go to Big Four Ice Caves!

However, once we show up, there's only one ice cave left.  For hundreds of years, these caves have been here, until now which makes Ethan throw his hiking stick down and say, "UGH - GLOBAL WARMING, PEOPLE!  I guess it's now called Big One Ice Cave!"

We still enjoyed our time there and explored the area:

For scale, Ethan and Ron are circled below

Until next summer!!

Our first Pitch-and-Putt!

Avo came up last weekend to help while Bruce and I headed to Chicago for a wedding.  She stayed for a few days on the backend and we took advantage of the amazing Seattle weather and decided to try our hand and golf other than in miniature form.

Avo was our caddy and it was a perfect first effort - 9 holes, par 3, and an hour time commitment.   I must admit I was a little apprehensive when I read the sign at Hole 1 stating "You are responsible for all damages to automobiles and people."

All are happy before the first tee-off:

Noel watching Ethan lining up his shot - the green is to the far left - a hilarious moment, but hey - always be preparing!

At the beginning of this hole, fully confident and 100% serious, Ethan looks at us and says, "Let me show you how it's done."  He whacks it perfectly down the fairway like an old pro.  I was up next and slice it into a massive holly bush.  Without missing a beat Ethan says, "That is NOT how it's done."

It was a tight race for first and second with Noel beating Ethan by one stroke and I was a distant third:

Our version of the 19th hole was a flight of popsicles at Seattle Pops:

Camping with Uncle Ronnie

We took last year off from camping and decided to give it another go this year.  Ron had a place he'd been to before that he liked and we headed up for three days and two nights.

We caught an 8.30a ferry over to the islands.  About half an hour in, Ron takes the boys to the cafeteria and Ethan returns with an Oreo Ice Cream Bar - at 9:00a......

A view of Friday Harbor as the ferry comes in:

We stopped at Lime Kiln Park on the way to the campground to see if any whales had been sighted lately:

Ron getting some help from the boys in setting up the tent:

And it only took an hurt complete the setup:

The boys testing out their new digs:

This was our campground - our adjacent lot soon welcomed our neighbors, including the infamously named "Drunk Demon Witch", a woman who got drunk and loud on both nights.  After her sister told her she was getting too loud at 10.00p, she had the classic reply "i'm not loud, YOU'RE LOUD!!!"

The beach at the bottom of our campground - the water was ice cold:

The boys tackling some fishing with Ron:

The boys trying to shimmy up a precariously placed log - a scene that always calms my nerves....

After fishing we roamed around the campgrounds:

Our favorite pose - acting like we are stuck on the edge of a cliff:

The boys reading in the tent before bedtime:

We ventured into Roche Harbor and found a Boche Ball court and ice cream:

The next day we looked for rabbits and chased foxes:

Then we got stuck on another cliff:

Found some more ice cream:

And watched a lovely sunset:

Despite not seeing any whales, we had a lovely time camping!