End of Summer Fun

The third weekend in August, Tyler’s company held their first company picnic in 3 years.  During my first pregnancy, Alaska Distributors was purchased by Columbia Distributing and there hadn’t been a company picnic since.  Ironically, I remember  the details of the event because at the time Tyler’s brother Jayson worked for the company’s Everett warehouse so we went to the picnic with Jayson & Andalyn.   I also remember the event because it took place the Saturday before we found I was pregnant with Issac.  The previous company used to hold an extra large BBQ in their parking lot, with a food spread, a band and a TON of BOOZE.  It was defiantly an adult only event but a good time. When Tyler came home and told me about this year’s picnic I was excited because it was a family event. My Mom was already coming down to spend the weekend with us, so she came along. The picnic was held on a particularly warm summer day at Remlinger Farms in Carnation. I looked online the place looks super cool and next summer we plan to go check out the park where there are miniature carnival rides. However, the company picnic area was seperate from the public farm, being secluded& very nice. The company had a beautiful area with DJ who played music and flip cup type games, face painting, a small jumpy house and a large inflatable super slide all in a large open field area. Then you crossed over a little creek on your choice of two walking bridges and there was a beautiful food spread of burgers, hot dogs and all the fixins and sides, an ice cream freezer full of single serve and a table of chocolate chip cookies. There was a small playground, a fenced in toddler play area, a beer & wine bar and pony rides!!!!!

Our trip to Remlinger farms was a great family day. My kids LOVED every single part of the day. Issac got his first ‘face painting” of a spider on his arm and loved it. The only down fall was that the children had to be 2 & up to go on a pony ride. So although Josie was able sit on the pony & pose for a picture (or two or three), she wasn’t able to go on a ride So there’s a reason to go back next year, because Josie didn’t get to ride the ponies (hehe). Issac however got to ride the ponies twice, once before lunch and once before we headed home. Plus, both kids napped on the way home, that’s a two point score!

 

Nothing says, “End of Summer” like Labor Day weekend.  Saturday we took the kids to see the Circus at the Kent Showware Center.  It was the first show type of activity we have done with the children and they loved it.  Of course they got a little un-interested during some of the acrobats but man, we sure all had a fabulous time.  From the elephants and camels to the mix of dancers and acrobats, the entire show kept Issac captivated and Josie shaking it. The kids favorite part of the show was the animals.  Towards the end of the two plus hour show they were getting tired and hungry so I pulled out some milk and goldfish to hold them over until the end.  Nothing says BIG KIDS like being able to sit through a two hour show!!!

On Sunday we got a special visit from Aunt Nicole & Uncle Warren who joined us on an adventure to the Zoo.  Nicole hadn’t been to the zoo in over eight years and warren was completely unsure of when his last visit was so Issac took it upon himself to show them around.  We saw all our favorites from the Lions to the elephants and gorillas and penguins.  Before we left, Auntie Nicole took them in to the Zoo store & let them each choose a toy & a hat.  Issac got a helicopter and Josie got a little stuffed monkey that came inside a banana purse.  To top off the trip, Auntie Nicole & Uncle warren bought the kids their first ever dose of cotton candy, which we enjoyed in the park before walking back to the cars.  The kids both slept on the way home and then we enjoyed a yummy barbeque dinner. 

That was it, summer was over.  Not working or having children who are school aged I didn’t even realize the activities we would be missing once Labor Day passed.  On September 17, we took both children to see the dentist for the first time.  The appointment was at 3pm so Tyler could also attend and assist with the kids.  It was hot, hot, hot outside that day.  I loaded up the kids and told them we were going to the Splash Park….When we arrived the splash park was wrapped up in yellow “caution” tape with a sign stating that they would be re-opened next Memorial Day.  Issac was crushed and it was all my fault.  We and meet Dad at a regular park before the dentist and all was eventually okay.  However, all that week Issac told people, “The splash park is broken until next summer”. 

There you have it, the end of summer. We had such a great time this Summer, I can't wait until next Summer already....or maybe that is the rain outside speaking.....