bike riding

The latest hot topic at our household is about getting the boys bikes for their upcoming 4th birthday. They're quickly outgrowing their tricycles, and are ready for something a bit bigger. The problem is that my husband absolutely does NOT want them to have training wheels...I think training wheels are completely FINE, and they should be able to have them. In order to substantiate his claim, Dan has been working with the boys on their bike riding skills with a little bike that he took the pedals off of. Balance, balance, balance. Christopher is really doing great, and Nate is really wanting to work on it too. The video shows Chris 'riding' the bike down the sidewalk, two houses away. What do YOU think about training wheels? Please take the survey to your left.

letting go

Well, it's finally happened. My boys have successfully slid down the crazy slide at Alberta Park. When they were 2, I said they had to wait until they were 3. When they turned 3, I said they had to wait until they were 4. Well, they're close enough to 4 now and they got to do the slide. Notice the sign on the side of it...CAUTION-NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN.
This doozey of a slide is approx. 16' high and straight out of the 1970's. I have feared this day since we started coming to the park. (as well as the one at Wilshire...I guess it's next!) The boys actually did absolutely fine with it, and felt so BIG and accomplished.
I guess I can't keep them on the ground forever.

Cubs Club

The boys are on their way to OMSI this morning, and they all decided to wear their Cubbies hats.

treasure boxes

The boys worked on making these treasure boxes that Santa brought. I had actually forgotten all about them, but the other day in the car Christopher (with his steel-trap memory) asked if we could get them out of the closet and make them.

The first step was to paint with the beautiful paint colors.....
Christopher made the top of his red.
After the boxes dried, they decorated them with pirate decals and fancy glitter paint in a squeeze tube.

Beautiful, huh?

Eclipse

Last night was the lunar eclipse, and the boys absolutely loved it! We could see the moon right over Jack's house, and we watched it eclipse all the way. The best spot for viewing was up on the fence railing (see Chris in the picture).

Nate's moves

Nate is really into his dance moves lately. He has a few favorite songs that he prefers for his dance parties, and Fergie's Big Girls Don't Cry is a real hit with him, because he loves to say the line "UNO CARDS." (which drives Christopher crazy!)

A Busy Sunday

I took the boys to OMSI this morning to see the new dinosaur exhibit. It was great! They worked with the omsi guy to build this dinosaur bone puzzle.
Nate is matching the numbers to put the pieces in the right place. It's hard work being a paleontologist!
It wouldn't be a trip to OMSI without creating something in the upstairs craft area. Today they made spy tubes with handles. Perfect for checking out the big dinosaurs!
Dan took the boys to Alberta Park this afternoon to try out their new 'polo sticks' that he made for them out of PVC pipe. There is a group of people who play bike polo every Sunday at the park, and the boys are their biggest fans. (or actually, maybe it's the other way around!) It was a nice and sunny afternoon, near 60 degrees....gave us a taste of spring!

Help find Potato!

We have taken an interest in the plight of finding this lost dog, Potato. Her signs are posted all around Portland, and we spotted one while sitting in traffic last week on MLK. The boys asked about it, and I explained that she was lost (actually stolen). They were familiar with that type of situation, because last summer we found a lost cat, posted his picture on craigslist, and found the rightful owner....it was a wonderful experience to reunite them!
We really hope that Potato finds her way home. You can see more of Potato at www.myspace.com/bringpotatohome We're thinking about you, Potato!

everyone loves Chris and Nate

The boys had their party today at school and collected a bunch of great valentines from their friends. This may rate right up there as a favorite holiday for them, but hey, what holiday isn't fun???

writing valentines for school party

We went to Target this morning to get some valentines for the school party on Friday. Both boys were so excited about this process, we barely got in the door before they started writing them out! Each one was handwritten, which means they each wrote their own name 17 times, and then wrote all of the other kids names, too.
Christopher doing his best work!
Nate putting in the valentine, adding a smartie candy, and sealing the envelope. He can hardly wait until Friday!

playing and celebrating!

Susan brought the girls down from Seattle for an impromptu weekend, and it was lots of fun! We went over to the Slater household do a week-early celebration for Aunt Deenie's birthday. It was a gorgeous and warm weekend, so we were able to go and play at the playground. It's always fun to see all of the cousins!

Love is in the air

The boys are very aware that this month is all about Valentines Day. All they want to do is work on making Valentines. Nana and Grandaddy sent a care package from Florida that was filled with all kinds of Valentine goodies. Nate got right to work writing the words 'love', 'Nate', 'Wren' and 'Yala' (two cute little girls from their preschool) on the hearts and then taping them up all around the basement. It's quite festive.
This afternoon Nate made me my first official Valentine, complete with a heart and my name. It just doesn't get much sweeter than that, does it?

Mama's 41 now......how did THAT happen?

Happy Birthday to me! On Sunday we went to Salem for dinner and celebrated with the family. Aunt Susan made this very tall and very chocolatey cake. Nate, Chris, and Catie were excited because instead of helping me blow out my candles, each of them got to 'snuff' a candle with g'ma's snuffer. That was very exciting.
This morning I woke up and some wonderful gifts waiting for me from Dan and the boys. Lots of electronic devices this year, and a new toilet seat. Attached to it was this coupon pad good for six different toilet cleanings ON DEMAND. Let me tell you, this was a wonderful gift, considering that I am outnumbered 3:1 around here.
I had a relaxing day hanging with my favorite guys. It was business as usual--- with a trip to the post office, the bank, the dry cleaners, Trader Joe's and then home. Autumn and Rhett came over to play and then we went out to dinner. I hope i've got another 41 years in me. :)