Portland Children's Museum!

There's a first time for everything

Today was the first time I've been to the Children's Museum that is up by the Oregon Zoo. It was on Cherise's "things to do list" for this weekend. So Garrett and I headed up the hill and joined Kiel, Cherise and family for a couple hours of fun.

That place must rake in tons of money at $9 a head, ages 1 and up. Especially since young children can only manage a couple of hours at a time.

First stop - Water Works!

Garrett isn't sure. You mean you want me to splash and get wet and pour water all over? Yup.

Anabelle touched the water but seemed more interested in observing.

Next up...

& Butterfly Bistro

By far, Henry's favorite exhibit. He wanted to go back in there whenever we were near it.

The Baby's Garden

An Under 3 year old area

Anabelle loves the pretty baby in the mirror!

Lite Brite on steroids

on the Twilight Trail

This thing was cool. The boys played for quite a while until they were overrun by another group of kids wanting to play with it.

I want one now.

Play it Again Theater

The drama area was pretty cool but was geared toward older kids. They had a costume room, a stage complete with working curtain, a camera and screen where you can watch the productions, sound board and back room musical instrument storage.

Clay play in Wonder Corner

Henry and Daddy created while Sissy had a bottle. Museums tend to make you thirsty.

Dig Pit

I think this should be the first place visited when the place opens at 9. Perhaps at that time it won't be so crowded. It was wall to wall kids. Garrett didn't quite know what to do. I think I'll have to get this kid to a sand box or beach some day. He has to learn to dig. Henry knew exactly what to do but there were too many big kids. I think it's popular with parents because you can bring your coffee in there, where the rest of the museum is off limits to food and beverages.

Vroom Room

This was Gar-bear's favorite. He would have driven this bus for many more minutes than we allowed. It was the first fit he threw. Poor guy. Hens loved driving his ambulance too.

A couple last photos and we're on our way home

We had a good time but like I said earlier, little kids can only manage a couple of hours. Gar fell asleep on the way home. Thanks Cherise, for wanting to go here. It's nice to try new things.

Crazy Eights

(photo of Wyatt and Ms. Knox taken 4/5/12)

Yesterday Cherise turned 28, tomorrow Wyatt is turning 8 but

today, Virginia Knox turns 58!

Crazy eights!!!

Ms Knox is one of our favorite teachers at Sabin and is retiring from teaching at the end of this year. She was an assistant teacher in both Joylynn and Cherise's kindergarten classes. At the same time she was taking classes at Portland State to become an "official" teacher. After she got her degree, she was Krystle's 2nd grade teacher. We have known her for a lot of years. It has been such a privilege to get reacquainted now that we have grandchildren attending Sabin. She is an amazing person and we have been fortunate to have her love, support and encouragement over the years.

She was taking her birthday off to do some kayaking. The sun is shining so I hope she got out on the river and is having a wonderful time. She deserves it!

Celebrating Cherise!

This is not Cherise but it looks like her

Anabelle came to our house to celebrate her Momma's birthday. We have already had a lot of fun.

SHOPPING!

One thing Cherise wanted to do was shop at Lloyd Center. We got there right after it opened this morning. As I was taking the picture of Henry and Anabelle in their stroller Henry was saying "S-T-O-P is stop." I turned around and sure enough. S-T-O-P spelled stop right behind me.

Lunch out with her 4th

We picked Hayden up from PCC and went to Subway to have lunch. Henry tried to get buckled in the van by himself. He's getting a new car seat of his own. Five point harness and convertible to shoulder seat belt later.

Reesie with her new lap quilt

I fell in love with these vintage fabrics. You can't see it in the photo but the turquoise and orange fabrics have a tone on tone pattern on them. The floral is so sweet too. Looked like Cherise so I zipped one up for her.

Party girls

Anabelle is starting to do so many big girl things. She is so bitsy still. She rolled under the couch just before Cherise put her standing near the chair. The girl cousins are happy to have her here for a few days. The birthday girl looks happy in her new scarf too.

Birthday flowers and pies

The whole family posing with the desserts.

Happy 28th Birthday Reesie!

Thanks for getting up so early to make it here to have a long day of shopping and eating!

Hope you had a terrific day.

Looking forward to day two of celebrating tomorrow with a family dinner.

Then Saturday we celebrate Wyatt turning 8!

Such a pretty time of year

April Foolery

Wyatt and Danika took part in a little bit of silly dress-up on Sunday afternoon. For some reason this goofiness takes me back to Kid's Camp years ago. Does it remind you of a tall guy and little gal doing a skit? Especially the first one with her arm around his back. Strange little drama kids.

Cherry blossom time

I was inspired by the photos posted by our Alyssa and my sister Kelly of the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. We have a Japanese memorial with ornamental cherry trees in downtown Portland. I was disappointed last year to realize I missed their blooms all together. I was determined to catch them this year. So Monday, after I dropped Harlan off at work after lunch, I swung across the river and took some pictures from the van. I was glad that I had a red light so I could take a few and hope that some would turn out. One of these days I need to take a walk across the bottom deck of that Steele Bridge and see the various sculptures amongst the trees. It was a beautiful day.

It's lookin' like Easter's on it's way

Easter eggs are showing up all over. Genevieve noticed these on the way to school the other morning. After G'vieve said, "Look Gramma has Easter eggs in her flowers!" Wyatt said, "Yeah she also has some on a dead tree in the house." He obviously appreciates the effort I put forth to make a pretty place to live.

Someone's growing up too fast

What a hambone!

He doesn't want help going down the stairs. He wants to do things for himself and has definite opinions and a pretty good sense of humor. Sounds like someone is going to be TWO before long.

Farewell break... hello school

Tea time

Krystle and the girls had a tea party to end their Spring Break. G'vieve and Danika dressed in some of Krystle's clothes and put on makeup and did their nails and everything. Cute!

We actually do own china cups and saucers. I don't know why they opted to use coffee mugs.

Silly girls.

The men's version

I guess Wyatt felt bad being excluded from the tea party so Hayden and he spiffed up and had their own. No fancy cup and saucers for them either. I guess real men drink their tea from mugs. Though Hayden's gets points for having a cool cat on it.

PCC the official first day

Hayden was up early and ready to get to PCC. It was his first day of classes. Courtney and Krystle started back for Spring term as well. Courts walked along with Hayden to acclimate him to Terrell Hall and introduce him the advisor he is going to have.

Handy Hannah

Courtney not only went to school for 7 a.m. , she also answered a call for assistance from Krystle, signed Danika into class, helped Hayden get acquainted with PCC, came home and topped off the fluids in her car. She's pretty handy to have around.

King of Hats

Garrett happily put on bunny ears this morning while we were shopping. He may not have been cooperative with Courtney putting the fancy doodad hat on him though. But since he wasn't awake...

Wanting to go to Virginia

I was putting this box together to ship to the grandkids in Virginia. Garrett was eating his lunch. I left the room for a moment and came back to this. You can not leave this guy unattended at all. He has to get into something. I figured he wanted to be shipped to see the cousins.

Sorry, not this time, Buddy.

April showers and puppy love

No foolin'

April is going to be a busy month. Or at least start out that way. We've got two birthdays to celebrate here at the end of the week followed by Easter.

Cherise will be here to do some shopping and eating for her birthday and

Wyatt is super excited to turn EIGHT!

End of Spring Break crazy

I think they are getting a bit of cabin fever after days of being out of school. This two headed monster came to find me and asked for a picture to be taken. I love their creativity and craziness. I don't enjoy how loud it can get at times. I think I'm looking forward to school starting up again more than they are :o)

Boy, boy, boy

Within an hour of tumbling down the stairs from the kitchen to the landing without damage, this boy was crawling behind one of the chairs in the family room and didn't see the sharp corner of our subwoofer under the table. He got a bit of a gash. We cleaned him up and used liquid bandage to close the cut. It was a bit dramatic before he got a plug and snuggle from Grampa.

Back to his old self today. Climbing on stuff and crawling under and behind. He was doing a little adjusting of the chain on Harlan's bike here. He got a decent nap and he's good as new. He may end up with a cool scar in his eyebrow though.

I've become my Grandmother

My grandmother loved animals. Especially dogs. She talked to them like they were her kids and called them her "puppy loves".

I'm super excited that we will soon have the privilege of having this guy living with us. Max is our grand-dog that has been staying in Sisters with his "other grandparents". The plan was for him to join Alyssa and Logan in Virginia. Those plans have been changed for Max's sake and we will benefit from having a most excellent new pet in our family.

April showers? Bring it!

I found this line up ready for the week ahead since we are expected another several days of rain.

You, Washingtonians, enjoy your Spring Break this week.

Doesn't sound like you are going to have any better weather than we did.