Summer fun...even when it's not summer

Is it July?? Could have fooled us. Cloudy skies, cool temps, RAIN?!?!

Yes, rain.

The Barkers are doing the best they can to at least pretend that it's sunny and hot outside. We have spent every evening outside, spending time with good friends, bike racing, and listening to music.

Summer or no, Hazel is still having a damn good time.

Hazel celebrated good friend Sallyanne's birthday at the last Mt. Tabor bike race of the season. Sallyanne was gracious enough to give Hazel her crown. Hazel never gave it back.

The next night, we all went to Kruger's for live music and a picnic. Hazel had just been to ballet class, thus she chose her tutu as her farm clothing. Do farmers wear tutus? WHO CARES?

Dad rounded out the week by taking Hazel to the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, which is right next door. Hazel turned out to be a jazz fan, as evidenced below.

More bike racing

High Desert Omnium 2011

This is the third year Hazel has gone to Bend to cheer her parents on in the High Desert Omnium. Given that she is now an experienced race heckler, she decided to help Eli learn the ropes.

Such as: the best viewing location for heckling your mom and dad.

How to eat a ton of chocolate without your mom or dad noticing (hint: do it when your mom or dad is racing or post-race, when your mom is too tired to care).

Always read books about bikes at bike races. (for example: Lance in France)

Check to see if your belly is buddha enough. If not, it's time for more chocolate. It is a long day of race heckling, after all.

Sit in the muddiest puddles at the river that you can find. It's good sunscreen.

Why 2-year-olds are not good interview subjects

Swimming lessons do indeed pay off

Happy Birthday, 'Merica

As is her custom, Hazel likes to spend her Fourth of July extended weekend at a luxurious retreat in the desert, being pampered by various butlers and maids and celebrating this country's birthday in style.

This luxurious retreat (aka Grandma and Grandpa's cabin) happens to host a variety of events to keep Hazel and her ilk thoroughly entertained and thoroughly hyped up on sugar. In short, it's a toddler's dream.

After watching various movies of her choosing, all while sitting on the couch and ordering her favorite foods, Hazel likes to show her baby cousin Eli the sites and sounds of the Sunlands kiddie parade. It is, after all, her third year and she is a seasoned veteran.

Then, after an afternoon of napping and demanding that book after book be read to her, Hazel is completely refreshed and ready for the next day's parade in George, WA. She expects to be carried everywhere she goes because she is, indeed, a princess.

While at the infamous George parade, Hazel rates each and every float, car, fire truck, vintage tractor and rodeo queen on a scale of 1-10. Not much receives a 10, but the harvesting combine? That was a solid 11.

Princesses also get to dictate their face paint (while eating a lollipop, of course). Face painters must patiently sit and listen while Hazel goes through her litany of options.

In her royal state, it can be dangerous to give Hazel darts, so the queen has to "assist" her.

And what is her prize? Why, more candy of course! Luxurious retreats in desert are SOOOO worth it. "Everyone should have one," says Hazel. "Now, carry me to my car."