The Bright Side

Yesterday the Burke Brothers got up close and personal with a collision repair shop. Because, well, I drove into the back of a truck. We are fine. Seriously, I've been jostled more by speedbumps...but the truck I drove into had a trailer hitch that went right into the radiator. Not the smartest move I've ever made in my life. But...it was one of the 101 things...

Afternoons out...

Bayley has been really into space lately, so we took in a show at the Planetarium. He loved it...Hayden liked the first half. Afterwards they both were excited to get to play at OMSI.

To make the day even better...we ent to an ethnic restaurant for dinner. Chinese. Bayley ate rice.

Pittock Mansion

The Pittock Mansion is the greatest estate in Portland, and it is also rumored to be haunted...so we figured as a two in one shot on our 101 things list, we couldn't lose! The house has a huge marble staircase with rooms coming off it on the first and second floors kind of like spokes on a wheel.

Bayley was disappointed we couldn't go to the third floor, but thanks to fire codes they didn't have in the 1900's when the house was built, the stairways are too narrow. He thought the bathtubs were neat (very deep) but the beds were small (nothing bigger than a double). They both likes the neice's room, set up for little girls Bay's age. But the children's room, set up for kids Hayd's age? They both balked at the size of the tiny bed!

We toured all the rooms (the kitchen was my fave, shocker). Hayden kept ducking under the velvet rope barriers to touch things. If the place really is haunted, here's hoping the ghosts laughed. In the ballroom he insisted on a round of Ring Around The Rosie.

After touring the house, we walked the ground which are very well manicured and boast an amazing view of the city. Still...nothing eerie about the place. We still get to count it as haunted, right?

Tim Tams

Mom went all the way to Dallas...but at least she stole some Tim Tams from Marion Lennox. She knew better than to come home empty handed!

Number 6

Did you know that if you are at a birthday party at the park and your tooth comes flying out and gets lost...the toothfairy somehow magically delivers your money to your tooth bear before you even get back from the party?

A Long Trail

A new state park opened, so we headed over to check it out. I have never seen a place so well manicured and clean...but then, it was opening day. The boys loved it and requested we go back and camp. No problemo!

We trekked down one of the hiking trails and found lots of interesting things...including wild raspberries! Who knew! I mean, blackberries are all over, but raspberries?

As we explored, we took whichever turn we wanted...and since we didn't have a map...well, we ended up hiking to a dead end and back tracking. It's part of the fun! But, the boys were hot and decided to hike sans shirt for a bit. Too cute.

Happy Birthday, Hayden!

Hayden's birthday came at the end of the Burke Brothers Birthday festivities...so instead of taking the hike we had planned for the morning, he asked to watch television instead. Hey, it's his birthday. After lunch he donned his cool shades and we headed to the waterfront.



Last year Jeff & I took a jet boat ride and knew the boys would love it. We were more than right. They had the best time. And to make things even better...the tour explained the history of the BRIDGES that connect the east and west sides of the city, as well as scooting in and out of different places in the PORT.

So, not only did the boys get a speedy boat ride complete with turns and spins, two items got knocked off the 101 Before 12 list!

Since Hayden's birthday is the 4th of July, we do tend to spend a bit on our fireworks. Luckily, so do our neighbors. The boys had a great time watching Daddy light them off and counting which fountain had the most different displays in one.

Afterwards...well...it was his birthday. They ran in the sprinklers, in the dark. It was his birthday!

Lady Liberty...and Red

You know...I love the concept behind 101 Things To Do Before You're 12, obviously. But putting the Statue of Liberty on there seemed, well, a bit out of reach. Except...you know...there she was. At Red Robin!

Happy Birthday, Bayley!

When we put Bayley to bed on his birthday, he declared that he had the best 6th birthday ever. I'd have to agree. I doubt anyone could have a better day, or do more. Heck, most kids don't get to do this much in an entire vacation!

No surprise...Bayley wanted the beach for his birthday. We woke up and headed out, trekking to Astoria and starting at the Martime Museum. The boys liked the tugboat exhibit and the vertical Coast Guard boat. While there, we saw a gallery about shipwrecks and Bayley decided he needed to see one. Lucky for us (and truly unlucky for the ship) the most photographed shipwreck is only a few miles away.

A bonus to the Maritime Museum...the Lightship Columbia. Floating Museum and Lighthouse in one (for 101 Before 12). The boys liked climbing on the bunks.

Onward to the beach and the wreck of the Peter Iredale. The water in Astoria is actually warmer than we expected, and it was a beautiful day. We just thought the huge shipwreck was all that was left of the ship. Not so. Hayden tripped and scraped his leg on a smaller bit hidden by the surf. We moved down the beach and all was well.

They got to try out new buckets and shovels, and Bayley tried his hand at body surfing. Hayden preferred to jump over the waves as they came in. And then after a bathroom break...they ran the dunes!

After we dried off...we explored Fort Stevens. The Fort was active from the Civil War until WW2. We climbed all over, exploring the batteries and the lookouts, the blacksmiths shop and the cannons.

Thought we were done? No way...they had a Native American long house like the ones Lewis and Clark found families living in. The boys thought it would be fun...again because of the bunk beds. See a recurring theme? Not sure why Jeff is against the bunk at this point.

After our LONG day, we still weren't finished. There was dinner to be had. And what does a 6 year old want for dinner? Pizza... at an arcade! To make it even better, Bay won a stuffed Curious George!

For once...they dropped right off to sleep!

Burke Brothers Birthday Bash!!

This year's annual birthday party was big fun! Instead of trying to pack it with activities (Anyone remember the backyard bug party? What about last year's reptile egg hunt?) we went low key and let the kids run wild!

We only brought the basics - pizza, cake, bubbles, oh, well, I did bring a parachute. Baby steps on my path to simplicity. At least it was a big hit!

The boys had a great time playing with their friends. And then came the presents. Oh my! Thomas Trains, Pirates, Transformers, Legos...and a magic kit with disappearing lolipops. Usually, Hayden makes them disappear the old fashioned way!