We headed down to the Olympia Timberland Library for a tree-planting today. The Sunchild helped plant a Canadian Red Chokecherry on the west side of the building. Then we had cake and headed over to the other side of the building, where the local Woodturners Club had set up a demonstration. One guy was making tops for the children, and when we arrived, Sun was the only one present. It was great because he got to watch the whole process, including coloring the top with Sharpies for decoration (while still on the lathe). He also watched the Woodturner teach another man how to use the tools on the lathe to make his own top. It was a good time.

There was also a puppet show & storytime, which was fun, but afterwards it was right back to the lathe. This time there was a line, and so we stayed and watched for a while, and then headed back home for dinner. He liked the fact that he was watching someone do the same work as Pop Mumper, and announced on the way home that he wanted to make things like bowls and tops and pottery when he grows up. I must admit, I really want to play with a lathe now too.


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I have just gotten back to writing after a wonderful visit with family. I have a lot of pictures & time to fill in, and will be backdating each entry to its appropriate slot. I also will be adding a Picasa WebAlbum, so keep a look out for that as well. Of course, this will take some time, and I do hope to keep somewhat current until then.

 

The Sunchild reads the trailside sign while Nana tries to stay warm in the foggy cloudcover on Mount Rainier. We had a nice time, despite the fact that we never actually *saw* the mountain. 

We stopped at the Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Garden in Elbe, Washington, on our way to Mount Rainier. The Sunchild's favorite piece was a huge giraffe; here he is hugging one of its legs. More pictures from this trip are at our Web Album. 

We visited our friend C out in Mud Bay. He had new chickens to check out, and of course, the rope swing, which is always a hit. 

We had a fabulous day out on the Puget Sound today. Grandpa rented a boat from Boston Harbor, and we went to Hope Island for a picnic and a hike. It was beautiful.

After lunch, we took a foray down Budd Inlet. Here is the Sunchild, helping Grandpa at the tiller. I got a turn at the tiller too, which was even more fun than I thought it would be. 

We spent the day at Percival Park, for Percival Play Day today. There were all sorts of activities and crafts to enjoy. The Sunchild especially enjoyed a visit aboard the Olympia Harbor Patrol boat. We learned that the Harbor Patrol is staffed entirely by volunteers, somewhat like a volunteer Fire Dept.

There were also face painters, craft tents, a bubble tent, and a climbing wall present. Indigo attempted the climbing wall for the first time ever, and is excited about pursuing that in the future. 

We took a nice hike down at McClane Creek Forest with Nana & Grandpa. It was a hot, dry day, and the forest smelled different than usual. Grandpa climbed up on the roots of this big, old cedar, and Indigo followed suit. 

At his request, we finally got rid of the training wheels. He is pretty confident on that thing, too. Thanks to Gramps Cutbirth for the wheels :D

 

We went to visit our friend E this morning. He has a basement apartment, and lots of fun instruments to play with. Indigo, the Dragon Jedi, amused himself with the keyboard for the entire time. 

Here's another shot from our journey into dramatic self expression. He didn't enjoy getting the paint off nearly as much as he enjoyed bicycling around the neighborhood roaring his head off... 

We went down to Percival Landing to see the Lady Washington today. She is a replica of a merchant vessel that sailed the waters of the Puget Sound and surrounding areas back in the days of exploration. The original brig was sailed in the mid to late 1700s.

Of course, the Sunchild's favorite part was the cannons. And yes, they do work.