I know, and I'm sorry about this video being sideways. But believe me, craning your neck for this one is totally worth it.

Here is Clementine getting her fair share of tickles in the back seat of my car yesterday. I love the little half smile she gives me at the very end.

Whew! What a Week!

This week Clementine played hookey from school and chilled at home with me. Only there wasn't much "at home" time the last few days. We have been two busy chicks!
On Wednesday we went to the Skagit Children's Museum. I think this may be Clementine's favorite place in the world. There is so much for her to do there--and it's seems to be designed with her in mind.

She loves this semi truck. So many buttons to push, she loves steering the wheel, all those nooks and crannies to sneak into. She was wild eyed in there!
She also loved the fish. Every time she ran past she'd say "Hey fishies" and wave or blow a kiss. This girl loves fish!

This part was a new favorite. It wasn't there last time we visited! It's basically just a booth with an airshoot and different types/sizes of balls spinning in the air. Clementine was amazed! At one point another kid came up to have a look and squealed "LOOK! MAGIC!" I'm pretty sure that's what Clem would have said if she knew about magic.

Look at her tiptoes!

Another big favorite is the "store". The museum does an incredible job of getting all kinds of different types of play represented. In this middle area, there are all these bins of plastic food, shopping baskets and a check out register. Clementine loved the buttons on the register. She played here for a LOOOOONG while.

Back in the truck:

We were at the museum for a few hours and her energy started to dwindle. We headed over to the "tot lot" farm where she played some low-key activities. She really loved the rocking horse.

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On Thursday we met up with Cam for a picnic with his company.

Clementine got to take this golf cart out for a ride. Later, she found a highlighter pen on the floor of this golf cart and got a few good squibbles on her nose! Little stinker!

Here she is after the picnic. See the highlighter marks? She is also covered in ice cream! I guess you can measure the fun we had at the picnic by the mess made on her face.

*****

Today, Friday, was a rainy day. But we didn't let that spoil our fun. We played play-doh (she is finally getting the idea that play-doh is not a snack) and she helped me make Carrot Cupcakes.

I am so glad we got to have this bonus five day vacation together. I really loved spending this extra time with my girl. Unfortunately, my house is a mess and I have done exactly nothing in the yard this whole week. Monday will mean back to school for Clem and back to housework for me!

Family Portraits

In my family, getting a good picture with more than two people in it is nearly impossible!
Here are some examples from the 25 or so attempts we made last weekend.

In this one, 2/3 of the group are cooperating but granny's eyes closed and she and Carolyn seem to be mid-sentence:

This one has to be my favorite. Megan pointed to a deer in the road and everyone turns to look just as the camera clicks...except the babies. This one could have worked if it weren't for some goofball cheesing it up in the back row.

In this one my mom seems to be asking a question, Meg got an angry look and Pat looks elsewhere:

FINALLY, we get a good one; everyone has their eyes open, all the grown ups are looking at the camera and it only took a couple dozen tries!!!!

Our Mini-Vacation

Last Friday Clementine and I took a trip to Port Townsend to meet up with my side of the family. It was a long journey getting there!
Thinking Clementine would sleep, I timed our departure on schedule with her nap. She did not sleep. Instead, she howled for the first hour. The second hour she ate. The third hour we waited for the ferry, played on the beach and in the passenger seat of our car.
Clementine loved playing driver. She was being extra goofy while we waited our turn for the ferry.

As soon as we got on the ferry, she was out like a light. The rocking of the boat did the trick, I guess!

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Clementine absolutely loves her cousin Nolan. She loves all babies, especially this one.

Clementine was so very gentle with her cousin. They had lots of fun playing together.

Pt. Townsend Aquarium

While in Port Townsend last weekend the three of us trekked on over to the aquarium. On the way there we saw this little seal pup sleeping on the beach. Cam thought it was dead but it wasn't! We later saw it walking around. 90% of the Pt. Townsend aquarium are touch-able. Clem was really into exploring.

Here she is making fish faces:

Conference Call

Clementine called Grandma and Grandpa up in Alaska tonight. She's starting to get the idea of talking into the phone and listening to the person on the other line.
Here she is listening to Grandma Cathy singing the ABC song (Clem's favorite)

She is paying very close attention:

Here is my favorite picture. Cam didn't even register that he had on Clementine's bunny ears. I love that he continued wearing these the whole evening....

Bellingham Chalk Art Festival

Last weekend we took a trip into town to scope out the Chalk Art Festival! There are some amazing artists taking part in this annual event!
Here's a future Chalk Art Artist: My favorite: Dr. Seuss!

Beautiful!!!

Like a picture!!!

Incredible!

Cam's favorite: