Rose Festival 2012

 For the Rose Festival this year we went to the Junior Rose Festival Parade, went down to look at some of the boats that docked downtown, and attended the milk carton boat races. I really wanted to take Henry down to the Fun Center rides (they have a new name now, City Fair or something like that?), but it didn't work out this year. Next year for sure!

Henry enjoyed the parade again this year; although I think he liked it a little bit less this year than he did last year. During a break in the action he ran out into the middle of the street and started dancing for everyone...the people across the street started clapping for him and he loved it!

 We also went down to the waterfront and looked at some of the boats and even went on board a couple. The picture of Henry next to the big steering wheel is on board a Canadian Naval sailboat. The other picture is on a Vietnam river patrol boat. Henry was super excited about the giant gun...

Lastly we attended the milk carton boat races in Sellwood. This was the first time any of us had ever been and it was so fun. It ended up being a very sunny and almost hot day which was great. The only problem was how long of a delay there was in between each race...next time we'll take a picnic and just plan on sitting around and hanging out for awhile.

Rollerskating!

Wednesdays at Oaks Park (our new hangout!) are preschool rollerskating day. For $5.50 you get admission to the rink and skate rental for one preschooler plus the parent skates for free. Or, the parent can just accompany the kiddo onto the rink in their regular shoes (which is what I did). They also give a free 15 minute lesson to help the kids get started. Henry did amazingly well...it was certainly much easier than ice skating, that's for sure! Plus, Chipper the park's  chipmunk mascot came out and Henry got to skate with him so that was a big added bonus for him. The video isn't the best because he thought I was trying to take still pictures of him and kept stopping and posing, but it gives you a little idea of how he did. We'll definitely be returning for another morning of skating!

Multnomah County Fair

The Multnomah County Fair was held at Oaks Park over Memorial Day weekend. When we found out we could get free ride bracelets through Brett's work we decided it was a must-attend event!  Having just been to Oaks Park the previous weekend, we knew that Henry loves the rides and the addition of farm animals...well, that sealed the deal. So there weren't a ton of animals since they all have to be from within Multnomah County, but the city of Corbett's 4H club made a good showing of alpacas, goats, chickens and a lone rabbit.

Henry is loving, loving, loving the kiddie "thrill rides" this year. He not only wanted to go on just about every single one there, but even wanted to do some of them all by himself. Above is a video of one of the rides he wouldn't go on last year, but did this year (and wanted to all by himself). I foresee lots of visits to Oaks Park in our future!

Mother's Day

Henry doesn't look like he's enjoying this...

 The Saturday before Mother's Day we went to Sellwood Park because they were having a bird festival. We got to see a spotted owl and a peregrine falcon...however, the one bird Henry was so excited to see - the turkey vulture - did not make the journey from the Audubon Society...so on Mother's Day we went on a hike with the promise of ending up at the Audubon Society to see the turkey vulture. The hike ended up being a lot longer than we had planned on (thanks, Uncle Mike)...but we had a fantastic time in Macleay Park and also at the Audubon Society.

Having a little more fun now!

Mother's Day Tea

On the Thursday before Mother's Day Henry's school had a little performance and tea for all the mothers. The kids came into the room in a line and sang three songs to the moms and then we had some snacks and the kids gave us the presents they had made (decorated mugs). It was so cute! One of Henry's teachers said he asked to hold her hand while they were walking in and that he was gripping it so tightly...he was nervous!

 

Activity Round-Up

The time flies and then suddenly I realize I haven't posted in a long time! Here's a little bit of what we've been up to lately...  Starting at the top... We went to see a puppet show at the library and Henry volunteered to play a role - he was a bully and in the second picture you can see his "bully face." We've also gone to a couple high school baseball games; this picture was taken at a game at Lake Oswego H.S. and he wasn't too pleased to have his picture taken. The next picture is at the Ladybug Theater - a favorite of Henry's. This day's performance was Goldibear and the Three Locks (their own version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears). We house sat Jelly, Henry's class's guinea pig for a weekend which was super fun. Jelly's visit coincided with Brett's friend, Scott,and his daughter's visit so the kids had a ton of fun playing with Jelly. And finally, we're trying to take advantage of the nice weather as much as possible...including by taking Henry's easel outside so he can paint and draw in the sun.

Easter

We had a great Easter. Once again this year the rainy weather took a break and we had absolutely weather for Easter weekend. On Saturday we went with Brett's parents for the annual Easter egg hunt. Henry loves it and it is pretty entertaining to watch all the kids scramble for the eggs in hopes of finding a golden egg.

On Easter morning Henry was happy to discover that the big bunny had indeed stopped by our house and hidden eggs all over the yard (three dozen of them to be exact!) and left him an Easter basket. The night before Henry was adamant that he did not want the Easter bunny to come into our house so we left his basket outside. Luckily I had to get up early to "let Wilbur out" and brought the basket inside. ;) In his basket Henry found lots of superhero items which led to him asking "how did the Easter bunny know I like superheros???" We then had brunch with my family downtown and enjoyed a relaxing rest of the day.