Easter!

We had a great Easter - pretty laid back, nothing too exciting. Our giant backyard made Nora's first real egg hunt extra special and fun. She had gotten some practice the day before at the country club's annual egg hunt. She picked up the idea very quickly and was helping find eggs as quickly as she could. Of course Henry was the main finder of the eggs as he raced around the yard and found all the Easter bunny's bounty.

 Unfortunately the day before Easter was a rainy one so I didn't get too many pictures of the kids at the country club, but they had a great time and Henry even found a golden egg this year! He was so excited - he won a gift certificate to Jamba Juice (which, coincidentally, he used today!).

 The kids baskets were filled with candy and a few little gifts - gardening gloves and spades for both of them and little plastic greenhouses to grow basil. We planted the basil and the sprouts are already a couple inches tall and ready to be transplanted.

 Henry has been asking for a suit for a while now so we finally got him one (it's a little big, but that way it will fit him for longer). He couldn't be happier or prouder of himself when he wears it. I wish these pictures of them on Easter had turned out better because they looked so cute all dressed up. My camera lens has some terrible scratches on it, but luckily I just got a hand-me-down camera so from now on my pictures should be a lot better.

 After breakfast at our house, we all reconvened at Gigi's house for dinner...and of course more egg hunting there as well. The weather had changed for the better and we were able to be outside and enjoy the sunshine.

Happy Easter!

Playing Catch-Up: Henry's Birthday Party with Friends

It was a Star Wars fest! We invited all the boys from Henry's class plus his good friend from preschool who now goes to a different school. All I can say is thank goodness it was a beautiful sunny day because all that little boy energy in the house would have been crazy! The first activity the boys did upon arrival was to make their own lightsabers out of pool noodles and different colored duct tape. I made a couple dozen balloon stormtroopers that Brett hung from branches all around the yard and the boys tried to pop. Of course, they quickly decided it was more fun to fight each other...they were good little Jedis and no one was injured.

 They had a quick snack and drink break and then it was right back to the battle.

 Then they decided they were Ewoks (or maybe they were fighting alongside the Ewoks? I can't quite remember) and climbed around in the trees.

 Cake was up next - we took refuge in the house for a few minutes as it was getting pretty hot outside!

 And then it was time for the Death Star pinata... look at how patient they all were waiting in line for their turn!

 They each got to take a turn using their lightsabers to try and destroy the pinata - I was worried that if they used the bat from the beginning they might not all get a turn. I shouldn't have worried as it took a little help from Bumpa to finally get the thing to crack!

I think all the boys had a great time - I know Henry did for sure. He has a great class of boys (and girls!) and has made some wonderful friends this year. And now we have a SIX year old!

Playing Catch-Up: Art Show and Soccer

 Art Show!  At the beginning of April Henry's school had an art show to showcase all the students' hard work they've been doing in their art class. Thanks to the art bond, Capitol Hill hired a fabulous art teacher who has been working so hard with all the students. They set up the hallways as an art gallery and Henry had three awesome pieces to show us. All of the classes' art was so well done and we had a great evening at school checking out all the artwork.

Henry's first soccer game was the next day and he was so excited that he brought his new cleats to wear as soon as we left the school.

Spring soccer started three weeks ago and Henry couldn't be happier playing on a real team after taking so many classes at the community center. I think he may be more excited about the uniforms and cleats than anything else, but he's having a blast regardless. I will have to get some better pictures, but for now, that's him in the middle of the group with a black sweatshirt and stocking hat. They play for one hour on Saturdays - the first part is warm-ups and practice drills and then they play some scrimmages. Next year will be more structured games, but for now it's called "kick and chase." He was so thrilled after his first "game" that he wore his jersey all day long - even to a classmate's birthday party later that day.

Playing Catch-up: Park and Library Day

As my fellow Oregonians are aware, you must take advantage of the sunny days when they arrive. As such, we have spent many of our recent beautiful days outside at neighborhood parks. Sometimes we go right after school to a nearby park and other times, like this day during Spring Break we went to a children's show at the library and then played outside at the park across the street. Nora loves the slide the most and is not afraid to climb up the big slide all by herself and slide herself on down. Henry is a sweet big brother and will catch her at the bottom, which she loves.

The library show was a bit of a variety show - some story-telling, acting, magic, dance, and some fun games for the kids. Henry volunteered to be part of one of the skits and did an excellent job reminding me that I need to get him back into his acting classes. He continually amazes me  with his acting ability and enthusiasm for getting up in front of an audience and participating in an unfamiliar situation. Unfortunately right now the acting class he was taking previously is held at the same time as his soccer, so we'll have to wait until soccer ends to start acting again.

Here he is "on stage" with the lady putting on the show and then, after the show, trying out the bucket stilts. The library also recently got iPads in the children's area and both kiddos loved using them...yes, even Nora, who is nearly adept at using them as Henry is...it's pretty crazy to watch!

Playing Catch-Up: Odds and Ends

 Nora is 18 months old now! I tried to get some pictures to show off her curly, curly hair because I'm guessing the curls will end up straightening out eventually (I hope not for a long time, though). Her hair is curly everywhere except for her bangs...just about the opposite of Henry who had curly hair in front. His was never this curly though - although I'm not sure it was ever long enough to know for sure.

 One day during Spring Break we went to the Beaverton Library to participate in their superheroes day. They got to make masks (Henry made Nora one), superhero shields (again big brother made one for sis), and do lots of superhero themed games. Henry unwittingly was dressed as Clark Kent...it was unintentional - he was actually dressing as an office worker as he was headed to Brett's office later - but perfect for this event. Nora was dressed as a cowgirl - with a Pebbles-esque ponytail.

Super strong Henry!!

Like brother, like sister...

Look who I found up on the table, with a whole stick of butter, happily munching away. She looks sheepish, doesn't she?

Playing Catch-Up: Oregon Rail Museum and Build-A-Bear

 Last month we went to the Oregon Rail Museum and took a ride in an old luxury train car. It was a train car used by railroad executives for their travel and it was really amazing. These first two pictures are of us in one of the bedrooms - a full sized bed, a little table, sink, big closet and lots of storage. There was also a big shower that connected to the other bedroom. Separately in the same train car was a sitting area, dining room and full kitchen. It would definitely be a very comfortable way to travel.

The museum is located near OMSI and the round-trip journey took about a half an hour or so. In the summer time the train stops at Oaks Park and you can disembark and return later to finish the trip - I think we'll have to do it again then.

The museum was really neat as well with people working on some huge engines as we explored all the different things on display. Henry liked sitting at the controls and being the engine master. Nora liked to run around and try to climb on things she wasn't supposed to.

For Henry's birthday he received a coupon from Build-A-Bear so we decided it was the perfect opportunity for Nora to get her very first bear as well as Henry adding a third member to his pack.

This is the bear he chose - so he now has a brown bear (Charles Bear-kly), a black bear (PJ Bear) and this white one (whose name I can't remember!). He dressed this one in an army outfit....  He was so SWEET helping Nora pick out hers (a dog, actually), and get it stuffed, "washed" and dressed.

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

Got a new memory card reader (finally)! Hip, hip, hooray! There is so much to catch up on but I think I'll start with the most exciting thing that's happened in the no-pictures interim...Henry's sixth birthday! I'll fill in the rest of the time I've missed soon so things will be out of order, but I definitely wanted to get the birthday pictures up!

We started the festivities with a lunch at his favorite restaurant, Benihana.

 Then, after dinner, the whole family came over to open presents and have cake...a cake requested by Henry in the shape of Yoda. I was so concerned it would turn out terribly, but I guess it was okay. Henry was, once again, spoiled by everyone - he got so many wonderful gifts and he was truly excited for each one. Thank you to all!