Monday at Sauvie Island

Monday morning I packed up my crew for a day on the Columbia river. Sauvie Island is seriously dreamy. As soon as we crossed the bridge, we were affronted by ideallic pastures, farms, and streams. It was a peaceful step from civilization and it took  me back to Idaho in a comforting way. We passed pumpkin patches and sunflower fields, and I sensed summer's end approaching with a content anticipation. It's been a great summer and we are excited for school start!  The Sauvie Island beach (the non-nude one, of course) was one of the funnest places for my family.  It is only a thirty minute drive away, making it an easier trip than the coast. The Columbia River separates Washington and Oregon. It is a strong, large,  beautiful river and Sauvie Island is in the middle of it. Kids under 16 are required to wear life jackets, which eased my mind, and to be honest,  stressed me out! I don't have strong swimmers yet, and I was so nervous my little adventurers would push boundaries and drown, or get swept away and float their way to the Pacific Ocean (the last one is completely irrational, but you never know! I mean- right??) I tried to be brave and chill, as all the other (more seasoned) moms were pretty confident, but I did make sure to pull my oldest two aside and gravely say: "if you drown, you will die." (Just to be sure they knew what was on the line here, and to scar them from truly enjoying the water.) Luckily any admonition I ever give them seems to have a short shelf life. As they got comfortable exploring limitations, I did realize I was over reacting and they were going to be OK in their life jackets. There were a lot of older kids watching out while they swam too, which helped.

We were there five hours and it was seriously the best way to spend the day. We swam, played in sand, explored the shore line, picked berries, climbed trees, and even got the courage to jump off the wood posts! I met a lot of new people and by the time we left, I felt so uplifted.

I love these two pictures of Matthew! He was so cute playing in the sand with Tonka trucks, and he felt so adventurous whenever He stood in the water up to his knees.

There were these huge boats that would stream by and cause massive wakes. All the kids ran to the water and squealed as they bobbed up and down in the mini waves. They'd cheer for the boats. It was so delightful to watch. Johnny always had to be one of the farthest out- he is fearless; I love it and hate it! Caity was right out there with him though. 

 Here's Caity and Johnny after a failed attempt to jump from this wonky (do I call it a dock?) Wood-post-thing. They got half way when they remembered their crazy-mom telling them if they drown, they die. I will say, glad they got more comfortable before they actually took the plunge.

 Here's kids watching the boat, waiting for the wakes. William is in the red life jacket, Johnny is that far little head in the distance then you can see Caity and Matthew up close.  There were about 60 kids just bobbing in the water- really something so childlike and magical witnessing it all. Matthew was standing on the shore, not sure what to do in all the excitement. I ran up and grabbed him from under his arms and jumped through the waves with him. His instant delight was so gratifying. He was giggling so loud.  I promised myself to never forget that moment and how happy motherhood makes me.

Johnny and Caity finally got courage to jump! I was so proud of them. (And grateful for their supportive friends who believed in them but didn't pressure them.)

This kind of stuff makes me oddly emotional. It's like I get to witness these little souls evolve into their own persons as they take risks and feel the joy of successes.

I don't have pictures of William! He was a busy little bee playing in the water, burying friends in sand, and asking me to hold his sandwich while he took bites so not get sand on it.

Again- it was simply a magical August day. 

We spent five hours playing with friends and left anticipating when we could bring our dad back with us.