Thickankles: Summer Update

On the trail at Twin Falls

Summer has been fun and fairly busy so far (I offer that as an excuse for not posting for so long). Husband is teaching 4 classes on 2 campuses, the kids have been busy with sleepovers and swimming lessons, and I've been gardening and cooking. A friend and her 4-yr-old daughter have moved in with us for a few months, so we've all been adjusting to a bigger household (not to be confused with a bigger HOUSE, which, considering there are 6 of us now, would be really nice!).

Dylan has been busy hangin' out with his friends. He spent 2 days with friend (and neighbor)Adam in Shelton, WA , where he had a great time paddling boats on the Sound, eating fresh veggies from the garden, making prehistoric racecars out of a clay deposit found on the property, and serving as a delicious meal for all the mosquitoes in the area (fresh meat!). Seriously, this kid could have been a connect-the-dots activity, he had so many bites on him (and he claims to have used repellant).

Zoya has learned to ride a bike without training wheels! She is so determined once she sets her mind on something - I love that trait in her (she's just like her dad), although it is a bit frustrating when the thing she sets her mind on is something like, oh, say SHAVING HER HEAD! (that's why her hair was cut this short a year ago)

We are making an effort to go hiking every weekend, and so far have been on a couple of really lovely trips. The kids (especially the older one) complain and grumble the whole way, but we both feel it's important to expose them to nature so that hopefully, when they're grown, they will appreciate and enjoy the soul-cleansing power that it offers. I am grateful to my parents for taking us on hiking and camping trips as a kid, and hopefully our kids will feel the same way. Eventually.