Bumbershoot 2010, Seattle, and D&K&E&E

Tim's 11th year in a row to Bumbershoot (and my 5th year or so) has come and gone, and it was another great year! I managed to go (rain and shine) for all 3 days, however midway through the 3rd day, I had to let my poor feet rest and get a ride outta there! There wasn't anyone in particular that I was dying to see this year, aside from Jenny Lewis, but it ended up being one of my favorite years for music. I also got a treat when I noticed Anita Robinson and Kevin Robinson playing in the background with Bobby Bare! Tim and I had just created the ultrasound video with Viva Voce's song Alive with Pleasure, so it was ironic to catch them on stage unexpectedly.. if only it was a Viva Voce performance!!

Playing with the nieces adds a special dimension to the week as well. This year the top games were hula hooping in the backyard, backyard odd ball dance move interpretations soccer practice for Emily's new league, and of course, as I lovingly call it: BASEMENT JAIL games. This year consisted of mostly "farm yard" and "babies." I call it "jail" because once those girls pull you down there, there's no escape. Playing upstairs in the common areas is completely unacceptable to them because their auntie Kaitlin may take the focus of them for a moment to talk to Tim, laugh with Kirsten or, gasp, their mom might need them to brush their teeth.

It is so fun to play with those girls though, they are so creative with their toys and the intricate story lines they think up. I was glad I avoided being the horsie each time we played farm though, because it involved crawling around on all fours, having a fidgety 3 year sit on your back (not to mention the said 3 year old is in control of the beaded "leash" that the horsie wears). I got to be the head farmer, feeding the animals, cleaning the pins, preparing cupcakes and ice cream for horsie's birthday celebration, and occasionally chasing down an escaped horsed or two.  I also got to build a new horse pin for when there just wasn't enough space in one pin for both horses (aka saved fun playtime from meltdown central).  Undoubtedly playing with those two sweeties, gets me very excited for meeting my little sweetie to be.  If she is anything like her sweet, creative, funny cousins, Emily and Elena we will be blessed!  Elena even promised when the "baby comes out your belly" that the baby could borrow one of her dress up dresses, but NOT the pink and purple one.  Too funny!

We got to experience the night before school starting again, and go to see Emily off for her first day of 1st grade!  Its fun to watch the girls grow up and to watch "seasoned" parents raise such beautiful girls!