Whidbey Islanders know how to celebrate the 4th of July

Here is a List of Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July on Whidbey Island. This is not a complete list, just a personal one.

3rd of July Fireworks at Freeland Park:

The day before the 4th there is a big celebration and big fireworks at the Freeland Park. A barge/boat loaded with fireworks sails into the harbor and at or around 10 PM they begin a large display of big booms. This year was a little shorter version due to money cutbacks. Still well worth a party on the beach with family and friends. The festivities start early in the afternoon and there is a nice play gym for the kids.

Pictures from the Freeland Park Celebration:





MAXWELTON PARADE & ACTIVITIES:
I really didn't see the actual parade, just the after effects. I recommend if you want to see the parade you get there early. It was crazy- at least for Whidbey Island standards. Lots of people, cars, walking, heat, and fun with friends. Here are some tips for next year's parade, should you choose to go to it, and I would recommend that you do!

1. Get there at least 1/2 hour early. At least! If you wait any longer you will have to part 1 mile away and catch a shuttle or walk. Not a big deal unless you have little kids or stuff to carry.

2. Consider bringing your bike, that way if they have closed the road you can bike there nice and quick. And a bike trailer for the kiddos. Also helpful with kids are strollers and backpacks. I forgot mine and got a sore arm from it. Oops!

3. Bring a picnic lunch and something refreshing to drink. There is food for sale, if you want.

Here are some pictures of Maxwelton Celebration~




The 4th of July:

~There are always a lot of fireworks and celebrating at Double Bluff Beach on the 4th. You can also see the fireworks in Seattle from the beach. If you go, be responsible and pick up your trash. I would not recommend lighting off fireworks on the beach, as it is not good for the health of our beaches.

~Celebrate with loved ones, good food and drink. In that order. Fireworks and flags optional, and not as important as aforementioned loved ones.

A Great Place to Fly a Kite

Kids can fly kites too!

Maxwelton beach is often windy and makes a great place to fly a kite. Like most waterfront locations on Whidbey Island, the sea breeze makes it ideal for kite flying. Add in a playground, sandy beach, BBQ, and picnic tables and you have special place indeed.

Also, try Fort Casey, Freeland Park, & Double Bluff Beach

There is a Kite Club of Whidbey the Whidbey Island Kite Fliers. Some evens of note on their calendar are:
June 21 - WIKF Club Fun Fly 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fort Casey
July 19 - WIKF Club Fun Fly 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fort Casey
Aug 16 - 17 - Cutting Edge Kite Summer Heat Sportkites, Ocean Shores, WA
Aug 16 - WIKF Club Fun Fly 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fort Casey
Aug 18-24 - WA State Intl Kite Festival (WSIKF) Long Beach, WA www.kitefestival.com
Sept 13-14 - UP Your Wind Kite Festival, Pacific Beach, WA
Sept 15 - WIKF Club Fun Fly 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Fort Casey
Sept 20-21 - Whidbey Is Kite Festival. Camp Casey, WA www.whidbeykites.org
This will be fun ~~~ Sept 20-21 - Whidbey Is Kite Festival. Camp Casey, WA www.whidbeykites.org

Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle: 'tis the season, a trip with kids in pictures

The Woodland Park Zoo with kids: fresh, exciting, busy, crowded, overstimulating! But worth it! Checkout their website at: http://www.zoo.org/ and their blog: http://woodlandparkzblog.blogspot.com/

Sleeping hippo was easy to spot

Ferruginous Hawk

bird handler with a great horned owl

This monkey was very interested in us, above and below

Connecting with the monkeys

The peacock was pretty cool

Hippo statue a favorite sitting place and slide

There are lots of fun things to climb on: rocks, statues, rails . . .

I think s/he is sticking her/his tongue out at me!

Stella is spellbound watching the penguins, a new exhibit at the park.

the new ferry loading zone, what a pleasure!

Lots of Joyful Ingredients to Add to Your LIfe

Here are some joyful ingredients to add to your life. If you have any to add, by all means add to this hopefully growing list of fun:

• Pick yourself a fresh bouquet of flowers or buy one
• Walk in nature
• Call a friend you haven't called in a while just to wish them a great day
• Get a professional massage, especially if you never have, yummy!
  
• Meditate for 5 minutes
• Dress up in fun clothes (and do any of the above or below)
  
• Sing a song to your dog or cat
• Paint your nails a color you have never used before
• Hold a puppy while it's sleeping
• Give your dog or cat a massage
• Go to the library and walk through the isles looking for interesting books
• Buy yourself a great mattress
• Push a child on a swing
• Use a swing yourself, see how high you can get
• Learn how to skateboard
• Do handstands in the pool
• Go to the beach and collect things to make into art
• Go to an art store and buy some art supplies to play with
• Finger paint with a child
• Play in a sand box
• Plant a garden (or just a seed or a plant)
• Watch the bees on flowers
• Lie in the grass and take a nap
• Climb a tree
• Take a bath with candles, bath salts, aromatherapy, and a good book
• Hold a baby
• Read a child a book
• Make yourself (&/or family) a yummy meal
• Try some cartwheels in the grass
• Go on a night time walk
• Gaze at the stars
• Draw someone a picture and send it in the mail
• Do some yoga/ stretching
• Dance to some good music (with your friend, dog, cat, or child)
• Make a fairy house under a tree and leave doll clothes and flowers for the fairies