Another fun weekend on Vashon

This weekend was the Bates family weekend on Vashon. Since Eric had to work Kallie and decided to make it a girls day. We were up early and on our way - princess dress, crown and all! Kallie and I have been on many ferry rides but from some reason this particular ferry ride was special. I am not sure if it was watching Kallie twirl down the isle of the ferry or her high pitch voice yelling "Mama look at me" whatever it was it was worth every minute.

When we got to the island Kallie was anxiously awaiting her playdate with Georgia . . . in fact this was technically their first playdate ever. I must say watching the two of them get to know each other while giggle on the beach was one of those moments I will never forgot.

Overall the weekend pretty much perfect. We had a fun family dinner on Friday night followed by a weekend of friends, sunshine, crabbing (Kallie loves crabbing but equally loves eating crab with her daddy), boat rides, beach time and of course kiddos running around having fun. These are the kind of weekends that make me smile!

Strawberry Festival Tradition

This weekend was the annual Strawberry Festival on Vashon.  I have been going to this festival with my family since I was a baby and look forward to it every year.  This year was my favorite year yet.  Kallie, Mac and Finn are the perfect age - looking in awe as the tractor floats went by, loving the candy that they collected and best of all they were smiling from ear to ear the entire parade.  I can't leave out Sophia and Ella because they sat in the front row making sure all of the kiddos had a great time and even made sure Kallie didn't get any candy with peanuts.

My favorite minute of the entire day was watching Kallie and Mac walk down the street holding hands chatting it up as if they were the only two at the parade . . . such a sweet moment!

I have no doubt we will continue to celebrate the Strawberry Festival as a family for many years to come and I look forward to all of the memories that will follow.  These are the little moments that make up a lifetime of memories.

The Little Things

As most of you know moving Kallie to a "big girl" bed has been quite the adventure. Well I am happy to report that consistency paid off, Kallie has been sleeping in her bed and not getting out until her special clock turns green for three weeks (WOOHOO). Along the way we have rewarded her for the little wins! Well last night Eric surprised her with her very first nightgown . . . not just any nightgown a Toy Story nightgown with Jessie and Bulls-eye on it (Toy Story is Kallie's favorite show). It was a HUGE HIT. She immediately started twirling around in excitement. My favorite moment was when she actually crawled in bed and said "Wait we forgot my pants" - I guess she really didn't know what a nightgown was (HA).

Kallie's teacher sent me this note that I had to share:

I overheard Kallie telling Aasha that when you wear a nightgown you don’t need pants… big news in the Bates house J When Aasha asked what a nightgown was Kallie looked at her and said “you know, a thing for good night twirling”

Happy 4th of July

The 4th of July is one of the only times my entire family heads to the cabin - yes that means 8 adults, 5 kids and 3 dogs! Although it is a bit chaotic it is so much fun! The kids love playing on the beach, looking for crabs, fishing, boat rides, and setting crab pots just like we did when we were little. Kallie and Mac are two peas in a pod these days which is so fun. They are constantly following each other and having the funniest conversation about anything and everything!

We also got to enjoy the Vashon and Tacoma firework shows sitting on the deck which is always fun. Kallie was not so excited about the fireworks so she and Grammy snuggled inside watching from the window!

I am also happy to report that we finally invested in a bunkhouse. Well, technically it is a custom built shed that we (well Eric) are turning into a bunkhouse. It has laminate floors, a loft with a queen bed, two bunk beds and will eventually have a TV. I have a feeling this will be the best room in the house and the kids will have many movie nights in the future.