Happy Birthday Jack

It was a big weekend in Bellingham. Someone issued a parade permit to a group of loons. Well, loons, monkeys, fish, bears and any other animal you could make a costume of. It was the annual Parade of Species celebrating people's ability to make odd ball costumes and walk through the streets of downtown banging on drums and looking like rejects from a low-budget Care Bear movie.

Lucas' school took part with each of the kids and teachers dressed as a school of fish. Kim played a large in making the scales for the costumes and they looked great. Jack was the cutest thumb-sucking little red fish you're likely to ever see. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate this year so the turnout wasn't as large as last year. But there was a decent sized crowd, all of whom were there to either see the Salmonberry kids or to celebrate Jack's birthday. It deserves a city-wide parade of course.

Our goal is still to avoid having parties for the kids, but rather to take them somewhere and do something on their birthdays. This year we chose Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. But with Lucas' school being in the parade we had to postpone 'til Sunday. As a result it became a full weekend of recognition.

We flew the pirate flag, naturally. He also wanted Dave and Karen to come over for spaghetti, so we did that on Saturday after the parade. Then early Sunday we piled into the car for another trip to Seattle. We were met by Uncle Kevin and the Sims. The sun cooperated so the group of us had a great time strolling around, chatting and occasionally peeking at the animals. Lucas and Xander are two peas in a pod, they are fantastic together. The biggest attraction for the kids was the map of the grounds. I'm certain they enjoyed it more than the animals. Both Lucas and Xander were fascinated by it and spent a good deal of time studying what to see next.

All in all a great, if tiring, weekend.