Methow Valley Adventure

Last weekend was spent in the Methow Valley, staying in a huge house with lots of friends and plenty of fun things for the kids to do.  The trampoline and hot tub were the biggest hit among both the kids and the grown ups.  Jeff and I teamed up for the Sunflower Trail Marathon.  It's a beautiful run through forests and fields of wild sunflowers, along with views of the snow capped Cascades around you.  It's also hot, hilly and a tough run!  Jeff had the harder half this time, which I was happy about since running even close to 13 (flat) miles these days is a rare occurrence.  I came into the exchange area thirsty and tired and couldn't h ave been happier to see Leana running towards me with outstretched arms waiting to give me a big hug. Sunday was Mother's Day and was just what I wanted: big home cooked brunch, listening to Julian play the guitar, trampoline and hot tub time with Leana, and some breathtaking views on the way home along the North Cascade Highway.

 tramping and horse riding with a view

 

the guitar was Juju's favorite.

 stopping for some snow fun along the way

 Juju liked the trampoline best when no one else was on it

 Leana requested "family bounce time"

Leana - 4.75 years old!

Spring has brought on a flurry of birthday parties for Leana - seems as if most of her friends were born this time of year.  This of course has made Leana very antsy to turn 5 too, so she wasn't particularly impressed when I told her this morning that she was now four and three quarters.  Well, Mom still thinks it's a big deal! 

In the last month or so the Frozen craze has hit our house.  Our first real experience with Leana being swept up into the world of princesses (or snow queens I should say).  Leana can now be found frolicking around our front or back yard loudly singing the song "Let It Go" often with her own made up lyrics.  Just about every play date with Kaiya or Zia now involves something Frozen related as well and we are hearing the word "beautiful" a lot more in our house.  

Aside from this new interest in beauty and magical ice powers, Leana's enthusiasm for dinosaurs and bugs has not dwindled too much.  She has been busy making homes for the pill bugs she finds outside.  Her newest interest is botany: gardening, learning about plants and flowers, and collecting flowers to make bouquets for our table.

Her favorite reading material these days are the kid magazines she gets in the mail.  She eagerly checks the mailbox many times each day to see if anything new has arrived.

 Bubble fun with friends.

 It's exhausting being 4.75 years old

With Zia at one of her many birthday parties.

 Leana and Mommy

Carpool Buddies

Jam Session