Time with kids

I was able to go on Aubrey's class field trip to OMSI this last week. (Thanks, Mom, for picking up Grant from preschool so I could go!) I was responsible for a group of three girls, including Aubrey, and we got to explore the exhibits for two and a half hours. The girls dissected owl pellets in one of the labs, which they thought was very cool. They found all kinds of tiny rodent bones in their pellets. One of the girls was a bit of a wanderer/runner, and I lost her at least five times, but we always found her again. She wasn't worried in the slightest! We had a really fun time. I'm thankful to be able to do things like this with my kids.

The school year is winding down, especially for Grant, who only has two more weeks of preschool, and I've been enjoying my time with him. I've been feeling nostalgic, thinking about all the "lasts"--last preschool program, last "muffins with mom," last few weeks of having just Grant at home with me. I'm soaking up this time. I see how the youngest gets a little spoiled sometimes. ;-)

quick date at Bella Cupcake

Hanging out with me while I did some sewing. He organized my pin cushion by color. That gene may have made its way into this one, too, at least a little! 

Visiting the chicks at Burns Feed Store

Watching DinoTracks with his dinosaur slippers on

Muffins with Mom at preschool

Spring Water Balloons

We're getting some nice spring weather right now. It felt warm enough to bust out the water balloons after school one day this last week, and the kids had some fun.

Gold Cup

Kari earned a "superior" rating and ribbon at her piano festival performance. She played her two pieces (from memory) without a single mistake! This was her third festival and third superior ribbon, which meant she earned her first gold cup. She works hard and puts in many hours a week practicing. We're proud of her effort and perserverance and just love to listen to her play!

She was not thrilled about another photo, but she humored me. 

Overnight Field Trip

Greg was able to chaperone Joel's Oregon Trail overnight field trip and had a great time. Joel made candles, made butter, made a rag doll :), washed clothes with a washboard and wringer, built part of a log cabin, sawed a log, learned the Virginia reel, cooked his own burger on a hobo stove, and panned for gold. Such a fun learning experience.
Thankfully, he got the stomach flu a few hours AFTER he got home and not while he was there!

Sick week

We lost a week to sickness at the end of April. Grant got a stomach bug, Aubs got a sinus infection and pink eye, Joel got the stomach bug after Grant, and then I developed a sinus infection and was down for the count, too. It was a little bit of a rough week. We canceled our beach weekend plans to recover and keep from spreading our germs, and everyone was on the mend by the beginning of the next week!

Grant spend a couple days on the couch watching movies and shows.

He insisted that he didn't take a nap, but I have the proof that says otherwise.

We had to keep Aubrey home because of her pink eye, and Grant was feeling better by then, so they did some painting. It reminded me of several years ago when they were both home all day. 

R&R (sort of)

It's been a while since we've had a Saturday like the one we've had today. It was so nice to just be home and not have a lot of places we had to go or things we had to do. Joel had a basketball game at 11am, but that was the only thing on our schedule.  The kids got along, entertained themselves (did not complain of being bored), and allowed us to relax but also to get some things done around the house. I love it when my kids get along and enjoy each other. Kari had a friend spend the night last night, and we had Abbie Woodard here for the day, so that added to the fun. 

At one point, Greg was sitting and reading, I was in the kitchen baking treats for church tomorrow, the boys were playing Kinect Sports, and the girls were doing crafts and face-painting. I sighed and thought, "What a nice day, Lord. What a great season this is for us. I am blessed." I also felt thankful for the rest after a very full week of activities, appointments, and meetings. I snapped some quick photos so I could remember this--messy island and all (real life).

CA Adventure

I just got back from a wonderful weekend visiting my dear friend, Jane, in Livermore, CA. It's something I've wanted to do for years but never had the means, time, or ability to go. It was so much fun! I experienced a lot of "firsts"--first time flying alone since being married and having kids, first time renting a car by myself, first time pumping my own fuel (I'm an Oregonian, after all), first time driving in CA, first time vising Jane at her CA home (yeah!), first meal at In-N-Out (yum!), first visit to Hobby Lobby (amazing place!), and first time to San Fransisco.

On Saturday, Jane's husband, Curtis, graciously entertained their two girls all day, so Jane and I could drive to San Fransisco by ourselves. It was a gorgeous day, and we enjoyed the sunshine as we walked down to Pier 39, had lunch, did some shopping, and ate a sundae at Ghirardelli Square.  It was just wonderful to catch up with Jane and have lots of time to laugh, talk, and share--such a treat!

We knew our kids would love to see this candy store.

I loved getting to catch up with Jane, get to know her kids, and just see their home and life for myself. Their girls are adorable and so much fun. Curtis and Jane are great parents and are raising some sweet girls. Their two girls are not shy in the slightest. We became buddies as we chatted, played games, and colored together. :)