Orcas Island - 2011

Ten years ago, Dave and I spent the days after our wedding at the Turtleback Farm Inn on Orcas Island. This year, we decided to commemorate the big Anniversary with another visit. It didn’t disappoint. Well, Olga village did, but the rest was more or less as we remembered it the first time around. It was great to spend some time alone (THANK YOU, mom & dad!) and to have some down time in different, but familiar surroundings.

The view from the drive in

The Inn

The Orchard House (ours was the top-left balcony)

Our view: lightening-struck tree and the grazing deer (But where did all the dingleberry boys go?!)

We did these in 2 nights!

Olga, ten years later –

Local color

From atop Mt. Constitution (our last time up there was 9/11. This was a far less somber visit!)

I’m fairly certain we’ll be going back in another ten years, if not sooner.

what Zoe gets to do when Maggie’s napping

Help mom make birthday cookies for Pepere!

I didn’t sense any remorse for her sister’s missing out on the fun/goodies, but what Maggie doesn’t know (yet!) won’t hurt her, right?

our pal, Wulu

As much as I don’t trust her sometimes (she’s the one who has peed in the beds of my babes for the past 4+ years!), our kitty, Lucy (aka, Lulu or Wulu) has actually always been a total lover with Zoe. Of course, Zoe’s always been a fairly mellow housemate.

But now, as a testament to her true sweetness (OK, I forgive you the ankle-biting when your dish is empty!) she’s even come to terms with Maggie as a permanent, if not boisterous, presence in our house.

The two “girls” have been getting friendly:

OK, Wulu. You can stay.

artistes at work

I realized – gasp! – that Maggie had never had the fun/luxury/indulgence of using finger paints with me (well, given that we’re constantly cleaning that girl up, is it really surprising?!). So, I decided it was a well-overdue activity and pulled out the smocks the other day. Both Maggie and Zoe had a grand time whipping up some new pieces for our art gallery (er, kitchen).

Gotta keep the collection fresh. Besides, their palates are lovely!

Our (second year) preschooler

Zoe started school again on the 12th. She never really had a break from the place all summer, having attended school “camp”, but she was a little apprehensive about the whole “new room, new teacher, new schedule” thing.

But, I’m happy to report that she came home beaming. The days may be long, but our girl LOVES school.

When it’s a little too quiet…

It’s time to see what Maggie’s up to!

One night, while I was at the sink doing dishes (Z was in the tub, attended by her daddy), I noticed the usual “mom!” chatter wasn’t spilling from Moo. I turned around, expecting her to have left the room, but instead found this face crouching behind the easel.

She was SO proud of my reaction I certainly couldn’t get mad!

Oy. Good thing Crayola almost exclusively makes washables these days!

9.8.01

Happy Anniversary, baby. I love you.