Hop in a River - Check off #6

After berry picking we went to swim a river (#6 on our list). We went a place on Sauvie's Island where you can swim in the Columbia and watch the ships come in. It is pretty amazing - Henry's favorite was the one from Korea. He also found a dog, Cody, that loved to have the ball throw in the water...so Henry and Cody were BFF.

Miss Francie wore her ballerina bathing suit which always cracks me up as it is the anti-thesis of her personality. I loved this picture of her with the dainty suit...and then covered in sand.

Mark #15 Off - Go to a Farm and Pick Fruit

One of the activities on our Summer 2010 list was to go pick fruit on the farm. Mission accomplished. We picked strawberries and raspberries. We may go back in a couple of weeks as a lot of the fruit needs to be kissed by the sun that will hopefully stay around in July. The kids loved it and only sampled a few.....really..... The place we went to was BRILLIANT in that they had organic beer at the place where you pay. Hello....brilliant..... Unfortunately, we had to get going, but I made a mental note for the future.

Rockin it Jewel-Style

My mom purchased tickets to Jewel (because her husband was on Dancing with the Stars and Joanie loves her Dancing with the Stars). Anyways, my dad bailed on her - so I got to go.

She was actually amazing -- she talks a lot and tells stories. Not gonna lie to you -- shed a few tears with the lyrics. I think I was emotional because listening to her instantly made me VERY nostalgic for my Phi Sig peeps and the numerous hours we spent listening to her first CD....

A new way to look at a fire hydrant

Henry was at soccer camp this week. I was watching him and noticed it was very quiet......and saw Francie had climbed the fire hydrant. I tried to "put in the box" what her sweet hands touched on the way up.

Check Off #12: Hike to a waterfall

We are commited to doing all of things that are on our list for Summer 2010. Today we checked off #12 - Hike to a Waterfall. Mark took the day off work and we went to the Columbia River Gorge where the best waterfalls live. We hiked a magical hike with the kids and they made it the whole way out there - 1.3 miles. Mark nearly had a heart attack watching Francie hike near cliffs (mental note: get Xanax for Mark) so we put her in the backpack for the walk back. She definitely takes after her mama...she LOVES being outdoors...and she is athletic...she powers up hills...but falls quite often. The hike we did actually had five waterfalls -- a number that Henry thought was pretty awesome. It was just awesome -- the perfect family day in such an incredible part of our area.

Watch out Two - Here comes Francie!

Our little peanut turned two today. She woke up with the energy and spunk that we adore about her. Henry woke up and said "Oh let me give this little two year old a kiss". Instant heart melt. Within ten minutes of hearing it was her birthdy she yelled - "I AM TWO!!!". BRING IT. It was really fun opening presents as she got so excited. Her presents perfectly represent her diverse tastes -- sports (basketball from Henry, golf clubs, scooter), music (drums/guitar from Great Grandma), her dress up side (clothes from Grammy Kris) and her sensitive, mothering side (dress up game and a baby). Watching her cuddle with the baby was so sweet.... putting the bottle in the mouth....dragging it on the floor.... patting in a way that more look like hitting it.....

We are so blessed to have this wonderful human being in our life. Thanks for two wonderful years Franciedoodle.

Game Plan for Summer 2010

Henry and I decided to make a list of fun things we want to do this summer. We then painted pictures of what we want to do...a humbling experience as Henry is DEFINITELY a better painter than I am...wow... Francie joined and well, that is a whole lot of paint. Thank goodness it was washable -- experience your art form Miss Francie.

Rose Parade

We had the Rose Parade and the sun has finally decided to come out! Gordon joined us and the parade was pretty cool. There were some delays, so we found a side street that was closed and played basketball (my arms the hoop) and Francie played with the train tracks...you know -- real safe play.

Goal Post

Now that he is out of school, Henry has taken to building something daily with legos. Check out the goal posts.

Preschool Graduate

Henry had his last day of preschool and.......no joke......you would think he was going to college. Not gonna lie -- I cried three different times during the day. Yeah....really....

His class has been working the last 4 months to make tree that has the "magic of life" in it. They unveiled the tree and then the teacher read aloud all the incredible & touching things the kids had to say about the tree. Seriously -- the presence of kids is so phenomenal. Love it. Henry's proudest creation was his bird - so cool (see above).

At the end, the teachers told each kid their "wish" for them and then gave them a binder that had a portfolio of their work. Talk about magical.Our whole family is really going to miss preschool and all the amazing community we had there.

Field Day

Henry's preschool had the quintessential "field day" to celebrate the end of school. Francie of course participated in everything...including what she thought was a game of "eat your Popsicle the fastest". The kids favorite game was their twist on water balloon toss...throwing it at me.

End of an Era

The last 18 months Henry has worn a number on his shirt. Every day. Lately we have been talking a lot about transitions as Henry has only a few more days left of preschool before he "graduates" to BIG TIME. On Friday morning we were talking about how it was his last day Friday of preschool. Then last night he thoughtfully looked at me and said "I think that on Monday, I won't wear a number". I must have looked stunned - mind you, no one in this year of preschool has ever seen him without a number. He explained that he could imagine a number on his shirt and then it would always be there. He said it would be fun to see how his friends reacted. I am not going to lie you, I got a little choked up. So this morning he walks downstairs, no number. I instantly got tears in my eyes. The era has ended. I think my little boy is getting a bit bigger.

Welcome Back Jamison Park

We had a warm night....and sprinted to Jamison Park to play in the water. Francie is perfecting her bathing suit poses for her future in SI.

WInter at the Beach

On Saturday we drove down to the beach for some beach weather......and it rained most of the time. Thankfully, the beach is still amazing and we lots of playdates. We went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and saw how cheese is made and sampled LOTS of cheese and ice cream. Then we had a playdate with Brookie. Dana, Ted and Baby Lola followed by a play date with Henry's friend Keithen and his brother Paxton. Party on.

Can't wait for summer to actually come to Oregon so we can have outdoor playdates soon!