honestly, they're kind of like puppies.

maybe the fire wasn't totally necessary but we've got a lot of scrap wood to burn and who doesn't like a cheery blaze.

hard at work turning lawn into garden.

this is the part of our time at the folklife festival where a 5 time world-champion rope-jumper (apparently that is the preferred terminology)had the kids line up and start jumping and then went along behind them with her rope and jumped with each without missing a beat. amazing.

the fountain at seattle center - pretty much a dream come true for kale.

the rhythm tent at folklife - pretty much a dream come true for rye.

this one goes out to the grandspecials. bet you didn't know there'd be another heat fan in kale's class.

action shot.

sometimes a person comes home from work and finds this scene of domestic bliss. ah the joys of communal living.

still waiting for our lavish (with a slightly different cast of characters - what can i say i thought they were so nice i had to include both).

spacing out in front of mamnoon.

playground parkour.

the sidewalk in front of our house has many excellent uses, rollerblading surface and football arena among them.

a good day to boff.

it's like he's made almost entirely of legs.

second outdoor potluck of the season, slightly smaller and chillier but no less delightful.

apparently bingo requires full concentration.

hello there tree-hugger.

hanging out, literally.

what can i say - we're a diy haircut sort of family.

shelby's home and sometimes she just wants to run to school.

checking out the art night 'works on paper' with his amazing art teacher.

go long.

after dinner park trip with various sports equipment.

putting all those birthday art supplies to good use.

the wind provides some pretty stiff competition in the candle blowing out arena.

first outdoor potluck of the season! (and kale's second birthday party)

it's important to have a properly decorated sword for pin the sword on the roman warrior. obvs.

a rousing game of catch a monster by the tail (duck, duck goose with a better name and a prop so self respecting 6 year olds can play it).

arguably even more excitement when the pinata gave up its goodies.

a lot of excitement in the pinata viewing gallery.

pizza and juice boxes and knee walking, oh my.

if you were to ask kale, he might tell you he didn't like his birthday party much, despite ample pictorial evidence to the contrary.

please note the concentration tongue, as well as his correct finger placement (courtesy of his new piano teacher).

dean and calvin came home from new york just in time to help kale open his birthday presents.

happy 6th birthday (one day late), sweet pumpkin.

just because we forgot to put a birthday picture on the blog doesn't mean we forgot about kale's 6th birthday. here he's keeping a close eye on the other contestants in the 'pin the sword on the roman warrior' game.

wheeeee

perhaps 'monkey tree climber' would have been a better name for kale.

baby in a bathtub alert!

while kale and i stayed home and enjoyed a little crafting time at the asian art museum.

riley and katrina headed down to portland for a little visit and baby chasing.

sweller and kale take a tiny breather between songs.

a real helpful kid, that rye.

shake your groove thing, indeed.

surprise! dance party for angelica's birthday.

our yard may not be big, but it's big enough to toss around the ole' nerf ball.

spring color scheme.

yesterday was gee geed's birthday. our first attempt to send her a birthday photo experienced a few technical difficulties.

these people are cracking up.

but the payoff is awesome.