A good friend of ours from the ward, invited us to Jetty Island on Tuesday. I had never been, and I was so excited to have a chance to go spontaneously. Bex had a babysitting commitment, so she couldn’t go, but the rest of us went and had a blast. Carla had reserved the spots way in advance, had extra tickets. We got our ferry passes, waited for a few minutes, and then took a very very short boat ride over. Really, it took longer to load the boat than the trip took to cross. The current is really fast or you could probably just swim across.
Once we got across, it was a short sandy walk to the other side of the island, where the tide was out, and the sandbar went on forever. Even when you walked out a long way, you only ended up in the water up to your waist. The day was warm, so you could get wet and play in the wet sand, and then come take a break in the dry sand, and become dry in no time. We flew kites, picnicked, went for long walks, and played in both kinds of sand.
All and all, Jetty Island trip was amazing!
Posted in Family, reviews
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I am addicted. It is better than facebook. I love love love it. Foodie? Check out the cool food stuff. Fabric crafter… home design buff? Just some amazing ideas. You pin what you like, and organize it, and get to refer to the original site for the details whenever you like. I love love love this site!
Yes you have to request an invitation to join, but I waited less than 2 hours before I was sent an invitation and created my account and started pinning. Visual joy!
Come find me! I am gabbygilchrist there too! I can’t wait to start following some of you!
In spite of the looming school times coming up on us, we took some time to continue some summer traditions.
On Friday we made it out to see the Blue Angels as we have every year we have been in the area. We brought my niece Courtney with us since she had spent the previous night. We cut the timing getting on the island a little close, but we love the mercer side walk on. We our lunches out and had a picnic on the I-90 floating bridge. The kids drew sidewalk chalk pictures all over the lanes. Jason didn’t mind the noise at all. Char and Aiden both were plugging their ears. All in all it was a blast.
Then on Saturday we made our annual trip up to Deception Pass, albeit a bit later than usual. No camping this year either. Too much effort with the little kids in the abundance they are. We are thinking maybe next year. This time we were up with Tim’s sibs for a play date to celebrate the current youngest Gilchrist’s 1st birthday.
Some other not so fun summer traditions is the “sort”. Where I go thru each child’s clothing, find out what doesn’t fit, and what is needed for the following year. With 5 kids it gets a bit tedious. I am a member of thred up (a great green service allowing us to cycle our clothes out for new ones) and I scored some free boxes with recent changes. I will have to post about those when they arrive. The decision of what gets handed on to my own next in lines, and what gets donated … so much work.
Oh and there is the college stress. I am still waitlisted for a class I need, that I am afraid I might not be able to get at all, because it is an elective not a core course, and they aren’t offered as frequently. I really wanted to take it, but being last in the registration line sucks. I am 10th on the waiting list and no changes so far even though open enrollment has already begun. I really am wishing I could see what classes I can expect to be offered in the winter, spring and summer coming up so I can stop stressing over LAJ 316. I want to make a decision today before my back up class fills up…
Here we go, back to school time. 27 days for the kids. More for me. Wednesday was registration day. I spent the entire day at the local branch of my college (CWU) and learned about all the changes, registered for my 3 of my classes, and finished am wait listed for 2 classes so that hopefully I can fill my 4th class spot. The meetings for PACE coming up soon, and fundraising for 6th grade trips are already in full swing.
It is also time to go shopping for the kids school stuff. Supplies, clothes etc. North shore finally released the school supply lists so I had something to start from. It is amazing the amount of supplies, gear, and clothes you need for 4 kids going to school.
I can hardly believe not only will I be attending classes, but I have 4 kids in school. Bex in 6th, Katie in 2nd (both in PACE), Aiden in his last year of preschool at Sorenson, and Charlotte in her first year at Jack and Jill (since her birthday is 35 days after the cut off date and she has always been social and learning advanced we are preparing for the possibility of entering kindergarten a year early the year she turns 5, not the year she turns 6).
This rag tag motley crew is no where near ready for the end of summer, but it is coming fast (though some might say summer never arrived – but that is for another complaint post.)
Before After!
Oh and that rag quilt?
Front
Back
More fabric Goodies… SOON! (:
Posted in Crafts, Family
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My sister-in-law Bethany showed me VandCo site and I was in love. She was making some baby quilts, and I was inspired by her to do the same. I have a friend expecting a girl, and a neighbor who isn’t finding out. I decided to make a few of these baby life quilts myself. They were too cute to resist. I got lucky with a ton of coupons to Joann’s, and decided to snatch up the fabric and make the time.
So here are my fabric choices.
I know it looks crazy busy. But I promise pretty cute baby blankets follow (apology for horrible lighting).
So many scraps left over, and then I saw this:
A pretty braided pillow… must be like a rag rug, only thinner strips? I could do that.
After all my fabric hunting I discovered jelly rolls. I just knew I wanted to use them on my next project. When I was out hunting for binding for the neutral baby quilt I found a jelly roll I just could not resist. Then I had to figure out what to do with it! I did a few searches, and found this amazing rag style quilt.
So now, I am making one for me! Yes that’s right you read correctly, something for me! Here is a peak at my Jelly Roll fabrics. Another post, another day when the quilt is finished.
So despite the fact we haven’t been paid in 5 weeks, we are keeping the fun alive. Yesterday we got a cotton candy machine and set the girls up with their lemonade stand at the Bothell Country Village farmers market. They did pretty darn well. They had already earned quite a bit, from the previous month of lemonade stands, and tithed and saved from it. But that one day at the farmers market doubled their money and then some.
Today we were trying to get them a spot at the Edmonds farmers market, but we had some technical difficulties. We had also wanted to secure a spot for my mother in law, so she could set up her photo stuff. It was awesome turn out, and I am sure she learned a lot, and made a great impression.
I love Saturday markets. Tim and I and the kids went to the beach to kill some energy after getting grandma set up and scoring some scrumptious donuts from the Edmonds bakery. Once the kids had enough we set up the lemonade stand at the corner at home, and took some naps. Then it was back to help my mother in law tear down her stand, score some veggies, and a bit more fun at the beach. They had the touch pool open at the ranger station, and that was a hit. My girls were anxious to get home to the stand to earn more money. They were both saving for an American Girl doll. I refuse to buy them one, but if they wanted to earn enough after savings and tithe than that was fine. And today, at about 6:05 they hit the mark. Well nearly. After dinner we got a sitter, and hopped over to the mall. We split the cash evenly, so Tim and I could each take one girl.
They found their perfect dolls, and got to the register, only to discover that tax is a pain. We knew this would happen, planned for it even, as an object lesson (I find it personally amazing how many lessons we have squeezed out of this one ongoing opportunity). Each child looked panic stricken as the sales person counted out the money, then announced the 4 dollar shortage. And overjoyed and relieved when we picked up the tab. I love teaching my kids life lessons at the same time as spiritual ones. Needless to say, I have 2 very very very happy girls tonight.
Friday – rented 2 redbox movies and hung around at home for a change. The kids played in the hose and with friends.
Saturday – We went to the Edmonds Farmers Market, followed by some sand time at the beach. There was a cool canoe launch that had members of local Native American tribes singing songs as they traveled. Later that day we went to the annual pioneer day stake activity and listened to a friend play in the band. Another great weather day.
Sunday – We hung out at home, played music, prepared for church, went to church, and enjoyed a nice quiet evening doing service. I worked on quilts for 2 friends having babies, Tim worked on finishing a pro bono website and helping get someone set up at their first Saturday market.
Today we are starting off with lots of chores, planning for the week coming up and making sure we are prepared for whatever we can of what comes next.
So it’s been a lean birthday week. We have done a lot, but for as little dough as possible. Meaning his birthday gift has been put off. A recap of our fun.
The Sunday before – a beach picnic
The day of (Thursday) – a Mariners Game (the stitch and pitch).
The day off! (Friday) – Remlinger farms, Geocaching, Dinner and Harry Potter at Cinebarre with siblings.
Saturday – BBQ with friends and a Movie at home.
When we get paid again, I will get him his keyboard, and we will have a fun Jam session with friends…
