Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Jeff and I met Rita and the Gibbons cousins at Lewis Creek Park for a picnic. It was chilly--49 degrees and cloudy, but thankfully it did not rain. The kids played and played, and we even hiked the big outer trail loop through the mossy tunnel and around the whole park. The kids were so energetic and happy to be adventuring together! Note to self: of we want willing walkers, bring cousins or friends on a walk.
Before we located the cousins, we walked down the trail to the enchanted mossy tunnel:
Not sure why Rose was making this face.
If there's one thing Amber loves, it's running FREE!
My four faves, all strung out on the trail.
All of those ferns lend such an exotic air to the west side of WA.
Running past blossooms to find the cousins!
Rose, always finding trees to climb
Quintessential Amber picture: climbing on the rocks right in front of the sign forbidding it. What I wanted to know was why they even put those tempting rocks there right next to the playground. What kid would choose climbing stair steps over awesome rugged rocks?
Amber wanted to give Rosie a piggy back "ride."
All four girl cousins: sisters giving their little sisters rides.
Layne and Rose held hands at the beginning of our walk. They are such good cousin-friends, it is heartwarming to see them.
After playing hard all morning with Grama Meri, we began our cousin hike right during Amber's usual naptime so she was lagging a little.
Amber and Grayce were a dynamic duo on our hike. Amber is one year older than Grayce.
At the magical mossy tunnel!
With seven kids age 8 and under, it seems like there's always at least one crying. But it really was still a fun walk. (that's Rita holding baby Cole--she's the Gibbon kids' babysitter--Steph was out buying a car so Rita filled in for our park outing)
This section of trail never seems real to me--it is straight out of a fairy tale.
Ah, what a dream it would be if we lived close enough to the woods for my kids to be turned loose in them every day. The Bellevue parks are very meticulously groomed, but they somehow manage to preserve the essence of the wild in the midst of all the spongy trails.
It was incredibly satisfying to walk behind a large herd of enthusiastic kids. They ran ahead (Jay navigated the trails for them) and then waited for us at each intersection. I could not get over how much FUN it was to explore the woods with such willing kids. Usually on walks, Jay and/or Rose lag behind, asking "how much further?" every other step.
Those little legs picked up speed as they ran down this hill. Toddlers in boots are one of my favorite sights.
It's hard to see, but through those pretty white trees is a plume of pale pink blossoms.
The kids discovered this nifty stick house someone had built on the side of the trail.
I love this zig-zaggy section of trail. I have no idea why it is paved (erosion?) but it is still satisfying.
Amber's hair was in boing-y springy heaven in the wet western WA air.
Obviously I could not get enough of the cute big sister giving her little sister a lift.
The little sisters got tired on the uphill.
Amber is one heavy backpack--I was all shaky and tired after hiking up a massive hill while carrying her.
Amber was happy to run back down the other side of that big hill, chasing Grayce back to the playground at the end of our hike.
Hard at work-play
In the absence of sand, the kids dug in the playground mulch.
Mr. Cole is such a little hunk of a nephew.
I'm not sure exactly what this pile of mulch was supposed to represent, but these kids worked on it and played around it for a very long time before finally declaring it finished when it was time to leave the park.
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