Up Up And Away...

The boys wanted to go to the Forestry Center. Simple enough, except they wanted to ride the forest canopy lift. It's not jumpy, but not something I'd think they'd appreciate a prego lady doing. So Grandma had to go twice! She was a sport about it, but I had to get evidence. Not sure it will happen again.

The boys enjoyed all their favorite things to do there - climbing on the jeep, sitting in the tractor seat, trying to maneuver the logging simulator, playing with the stuffed animals in the burrows, and jumping around in the raft.

They weren't keen on the photo exhibit...I think the dino exhibit that is coming in a few months will be more their speed.

Out of This World

A new play place recently opened up. It has pizza, ice cream, and enough activities to keep my boys busy for 4 hours. Yes. 4!

We came a bit before a group of friends from Hayden's preschool, so the boys got to check everything out. Bay really liked the rock wall, Hayden was all about the friction cars.

There were climbing structures (an enormous one with 6 slides for big kids, a small one for kids under 5...Hayden could do both!), inflatable obstacle courses (one for the big kids, one for the wee ones), and a padded area with books for little ones or kids who wanted to chill out and read (like Bayley when he got too sweaty.

It was quite the happening place. We were meeting up with 5 friends from Hayden's school...and 2 more of their school chums showed up! Bayley even found two classmates from his reading group at school!

Even the pizza was a big hit. Because we were there with the moms, I got veggie, Bay got cheese (5 slices) and Hayden had his meat (sausage). If we'd been alone we'd have all had cheese. I like going in groups!

Dinosaur Mania

Portland has gone Dino-nuts this year. Dinosaurs everywhere - OMSI, Forestry Center, Zoo, Chinese Garden...we hope to make it to them all.

The boys saw the dinos at OMSI last month, but Grandma & I hadn't yet, so we made a special trip. It really is a great exhibit. Then the boys split up so Hayden could enjoy the science playground, and Bayley could lead Grandma through the chemistry and science labs.

The boys even found a way to empty out Grandma's change purse for educational purposes...they dropped coins into slots to help them understand orbits. I think it helped them understand not to put your hand in the way of a rolling coin...but hey, who knows?

Easter Fun!

EASTER PARTY

We started the morning with a brunch and egg hunt with the neighbors. The kids had a BLAST! They love to get together and play, so playing while chowing down on doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and muffins was their idea of heaven. As is sitting beneath the table.


Once they'd eaten, they rushed out for an egg hunt. It was raining, but these are Oregon kids, so they didn't even notice. We let the little kids start first, but I think the boys still managed to pick up more than their share of eggs. I think it was the huge baskets they picked to hunt with.

Either way, I had fun trying to sneak eggs out of the stash as they unloaded. And still, we have nearly as much candy as we did at Halloween!!

EASTER DINNER

The boys had another egg hunt once they got to Grandma & Grandpa's. Grandma hides the baskets, and usually they find them right away...as in before saying hello...but this year we had to play hot & cold.

Once they collected the eggs, they had fun playing with the 'hay'. My gosh, that stuff can sure make a mess!

Wacky Golf

Our boys love the Build & Grow clinic at Lowe's. They get to make a project, and they get a patch for Grandma Bobbie to sew on their aprons. This time they liked looking around and seeing how many patches the other kids had.

When we first started going, it was more like a class for Mom & Dad, but this time Bayley handled most everything on his own! Hayden kept at it while his attention held. They both got their mini-golf inspired project...and a patch.

Dying Easter Eggs

We've always been the 'candy in plastic eggs' kind of family. I am all about the ease of clean up. This year a neighbor invited the kids over to dye eggs, so we gave it a try.



They loved it. Bayley drew designs on his with a crayon, Hayden tried to get every color. They'll want to try it again next year...I wonder if the neighbor will invite them back ?

Bayley Posts Again!

Tonight was bad because...

• Dad was bad
• Hayden tore the toy catalog up

Hayden got a TO. He needed that.

I cannot wait until we get a bigger house so we can have separate rooms.

by Bayley

Bayley's first post

Today was bad because Hayden and Eddie were being crazy!!! I had back pain . But, I got invited to Jacob's birthday party!!! Finally, relief...

Hayden and Eddie got a T.O. They needed that.

I could do without 4 year olds.

By Bayley

Basketball, Kickball, Baseball, Soccer

Hayden did a multi-sport camp this spring to help us see which sport camps he might want to try this summer. He pouted through basketball, sat out on kickball, tried batting for baseball but couldn't be bothered with the bases, and then realized he actually liked soccer! Thank goodness.

He did announce he thinks tennis is best, though.

Their Name Is Mud

The sun was shining, it was warm and clear...and yet our boys found the mud at Grandma & Grandpa's this weekend.



They had the best time. When they came home to tell me about it, they were smiling wide, so proud of how messy and mucky they'd been.


Of course, such indulgence required not just being hosed off outside and then bathed at Grandma's...but another bath once they got home. Boys!

And they're off...

Daddy took off the training wheels on Bayley's bike because they were annoying him when he went around corners. He's doing great...but the bike doesn't have a kickstand...so it is not faring so well. Looks like we won't be able to wait until birthdays to get Bayley a bigger bike.