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!

Henry is SIX!

A quick update since I still don't have access to my pictures. (Boo!)

Henry turned six last Thursday! His birthday fell during Spring Break so we haven't had a party with his friends yet. But since it wasn't a school night, we got to celebrate with the family on his actual birthday which was great! He requested a Star Wars themed cake (first choice was Darth Vader which I nixed since the black frosting was a bit much), so I made a Yoda cake. I was worried it was going to be terrible, but people seemed to think it was decent. I will post pictures when I get them... He got some absolutely amazing presents and has had so much fun playing with them all in these last few days before school starts.

Unfortunately the week leading up to his birthday was not as great as the actual day itself. The drama began the week prior when he got strep throat. Luckily we caught it early and got him on antibiotics and within 48 hours he was feeling a lot better. However, about 5 days into taking the 10 day course of antibiotics he developed a strange measles-like rash starting on his feet and moving its way up his body. We first noticed it at night and by the next morning his whole body was covered in spots. I took him to the doctor who diagnosed it as a "normal" reaction the body can have when taking antibiotics and getting a cold virus at the same time. He said we should continue with the antibiotics and the rash would get worse before it got better but it was no big deal. Over the next few days we watched with growing concern as the rash changed from spots to huge, bruise like swaths of hives across his entire body. He had barely any clear skin anywhere. Back to the doctor when this time he was correctly diagnosed as having a penicillin allergy. A fairly bad one at that. We started Benedryl immediately and the doctor rechecked him later to make sure the reaction was clearing up. Luckily the Benedryl worked and we didn't have to give him any steroids. Now, a full week after ending the antibiotics the rash/hives are nearly gone but are still visible on his arms and legs (the worst affected areas). Poor kid missed three days of school right before Spring Break and a day the week prior for the strep. He's very excited to be returning tomorrow!

More once I get pictures!

I haven't forgotten!

The blog will be back soon! I have lost the cord that enables me to upload pictures from my camera to the computer...hopefully I'll get a replacement one this week. We've been busy getting ready to celebrate Henry turning SIX!! More soon!