when do fart sounds start to be funny?....

...well, I guess it's on the exact day that you turn 31/2.
I was tucking the boys in for their nap today, and they were doing lots of monkeying around. I was leaning over giving Nate a goodnight kiss when from across the room Chris let out a big toot. In the past, they've pretty much ignored the delightful sounds that they make. But today, with that fart, it was suddenly VERY FUNNY to him. He started laughing (of course, I was trying to ignore the whole thing, so that he'd settle down and take his nap). Then, without missing a beat, Chris started making fart sounds with his mouth, and the ever-popular blowing air onto his arm to create the sound. He thought he was just so funny!
Of course, Nate picked up on what was going on, and started laughing and making his own rendition of various fart sounds. As he was doing this, a real one accidently snuck out! That made him start to laugh even harder. It was all so comical, that I couldn't help but start laughing outloud, too. We were all just laughing at the absurdity of the situation. I have to say, it WAS pretty darn funny.

First day of Preschool!

Today Nate and Chris had their first day of preschool. They've been looking forward to it since last March when we visited during the open house. Their teacher's name is Maggie.

The day went off without a hitch. Both boys (and actually all of the kids in the class) did really well. No tears, no sad goodbyes, just 15 three and four year olds who wanted to get busy learning and playing! It was Nate's show-and-tell day today, so he shared his map of the Enchanted Forest. Chris was excited because he got to use 'wet' glue. (not those silly glue sticks that we use at home!)

It is a co-op preschool, so the parents are required to work in the classroom. I was one of the parent helpers today, so it was great to be able to see them in action. It was fun to be back in a classroom environment. The teacher in me still loves the first day of school---I guess that never goes away! It's going to be a great year.

Enchanted Forest

Today I took the boys to Salem for their first visit to the Enchanted Forest. Grandma really wanted them to come and see it, and it was her treat. Claudine, Catie, and little man Will also went.

I remember going there as a child and being a bit freaked out about some of the exhibits. Well, that gene was passed on the both Chris and Nate (and Catie too!)

Back in March I wrote about how the boys were really into the story of Hansel and Gretel. Today they saw the gingerbread house, with the scary witch, Hansel in his wood cage, and Gretel pleading with the witch. One peek was more than enough for them, and they didn't want to return to take another look.

Their favorite part was the giant slide that was in the Old Lady who lived in a Shoe. The place literally hasn't changed since the 70's when it was created.

Thanks, Grandma! We'll try it again next year when we can do the roller coaster ride AND go inside the witch's mouth.

mission accomplished!

Nate and Chris completed their summer reading program which was through the Multnomah County Library. They did LOTS of reading this summer, and then would color in a puzzle piece each time they did their reading. For every 10 puzzle pieces, they got a prize (plastic cups, wind up trucks, etc.) When they colored all 40 pieces, they got a cool t-shirt! They were very proud of themselves. The really amazing part, to me, was that we kept track of the little score sheet! :)

zoo trip for tiger and giraffe

We like to go to zoo almost every weekend for an early morning adventure. We're usually there by 9:00 a.m. and it's perfect because it's nice and empty and we get lots of walking in! By the time we're leaving the lines to get in to the zoo are long, and the crowds are growing.

This morning the boys decided that they wanted to take the very favorite animals, Tiger (Chris) and Raf-Raf (Nate's giraffe). They stuffed them into their new preschool backpacks and off they went on the adventure!

Tiger got to see the REAL tiger, but no luck for Raf-Raf......the giraffes were nowhere to be seen today! We'll try again another day.

painting

summertime

Yesterday was a hot one, so the boys did lots of playing in the big ball sprinkler, eating popsicles, and water color painting. Chris loves to paint very meticulously and fill in the entire paper, and Nate likes to make squiggles of different colors.

Today we went and played with Henry and Wendy at a park near their house. (their NEW house, actually!) It was so amazing...it seems that Henry was just JUST a tiny little baby, and now he's almost shoulder to shoulder with the boys. We had lunch at their house then headed home with a lollipop for dessert. Portland Parks and Rec. had a table with markers and masks at the park, so the boys decorated them and decided that they wanted to wear their masks home in the wagon and scare the drivers along the way. Such a scary lion and tiger. :) grrrrrrrrr roarrrrrrrrr

Arch Cape

We just returned from our 3rd annual trip to Arch Cape with the cousins. We all had an awesome time doing a whole lot of nothing. The weather really cooperated and we were able to get lots of fun beach time. This year we made fires on the beach (thanks Dan!) which the boys loved because they were able to poke their long sticks in the fire and then snuff them out in the sand...just like real firemen! Of course we threw rocks in the river, explored starfish and anenomes in the early a.m., and dug big holes in the sand. Grace, Sophie, Dave and Mark all donned wetsuits and did some boogie boarding, too. We also went on an adventure to Oswald State Park to see the surfers. We can't wait until next August to do it all again!

Chris the writer

I just can't help but share this picture. Chris and Nate are really into doing 'school' things, since they are starting preschool this Fall. They love everything to do with drawing, coloring, learning and carrying backpacks.

Chris was writing a thank you note to Auntie Leann, and he wanted to write his name. As you can see at the top of the paper, he wrote his C, H, I and an S (gotta love that S!)Of course he wrote it right to left but that's perfectly o.k. for a 3 year old's first attempt at his name. Being the first grade teacher at heart, I of course, just love this! He also drew a couple of L's for Leann, a Z for Zoey, and an M for Mama.

I love my boys. They amaze me every day! xoxoxxo

John Finn's Farm

Well, we finally went to John Finn's farm today. The city folk went country. We've been talking about it forever, so this morning we made the trek to Ridgefield. It was well worth the drive.


We got to meet his horses Annie, Swinger, and Zeus. The boys got to feed the horses some big carrots, sit on the saddle, and even take a little ride around the barn area. So much fun! But the fun didn't stop there----- We also got to climb in the hay loft, find the chicken eggs in the coop, hold a chicken, walk in the woods, swing on an amazing tire swing, ride his tractor (at least pretend to ride it!) Then we went into John's workshop where he gave Chris and Nate their own horseshoe with instructions to hang them upside down so that they can catch the good luck. He also showed us big nuts and bolts. The boys loved every minute of being on the farm. We sure hope that we will be invited back someday.

Big Tim

We've had big Tim here for the weekend and the boys just love him! He is so good with them.....willing to make cool train tracks, play with the cars, go to OMSI, etc. It's so nice to see them feel so happy with someone other than the usual mom/dad/aunts/uncles/cousins. Thanks for coming to see us, Big Tim!

handshakes

Dan has been teaching the way to give a correct handshake when meeting someone. They've actually become quite good at it! These are the easy steps that they will tell you about.....

1. palm to palm

2. get in there

3. squeeze the hand

4. ask "how you doing?"



What little gentlemen. :)



Nate went to swim with Dan this afternoon to make up for his awful time at swim lessons on Wednesday. We're calling it summer school. Hopefully this week will go much better. Chris stayed in the lessons the whole time last Wed. We were very proud of him with all of his kicking and blowing bubbles.

Will makes 7...on the day before 7-7-07

A new cousin was added to the brood! Cousin Will was born on Friday, July 6th. He is absolutely adorable! Looks just like Uncle Mark.

Of course, Susan just couldn't stay away from a new baby, so the Cotters loaded up and headed south to meet the little guy. This made for a fun weekend with the cousins (which the boys always just love, love, love!) We bbq'd and did a little birthday celebration for Ella, since she will be turning 5 next weekend. Lots of playing in the pool to keep cool. Uncle Greg and Aunt Susan came over, too. Fun times!

Happy 4th of July!

What a hot day it was today! We went hiking with Uncle Greg and Aunt Susan at Tryon Creek State Park this morning.....we saw a horse on the trail and a banana slug. I kept reminding Uncle Greg ( a true 'hiker') that our rendition of hiking wasn't as extreme as his.....lots of looking at things and stopping along the way. He assured me that it was fine that way. :)

We came home and the boys took a big nap. Tired legs! We played in the neighbor's pool and bbq'd. A nice, mellow 4th.

Last night we had dinner with the Perry's. It was fun to be on their big deck which overlooks all of Portland and play in their inflatable pool. Good times, with hot summer nights.

Oh yah, one funny thing today. I was cleaning up the dinner dishes and Chris and Nate came running into the kitchen from outside. "We need paper towels!" they both were telling me frantically. "Why do you need them?" I asked. "Because Daddy said SHIT!" :) Well, really a cup of milk spilled all over the patio....but to 3 year olds, it was because daddy said shit. too funny.

where did the last month go?

I've been so bad about posting! Here it is, July 2nd and I have not written for over a month!

The boys are doing great. They started swim lessons at Dishman, and so far they hate it and they love it. Kind of depends on the day. Chris does NOT like to do the hokey pokey in the water. Nate hates water in his nose.

They got some cool new haircuts from Mimi. They can wear it spikey which is very fun. I never remember to do much to their hair, since 9O% of the time they have a hat on their heads.

They are doing to reading program through the library. They earn prizes for time spent with books. They love coloring in their own spaces after we read. The big prize at the end is a t-shirt. Very exciting!

We will be getting a new cousin on Friday. Aunt Deenie is scheduled to deliver baby William on Friday, July 6th. We can't wait to meet the little fellow and show him some 'boy' stuff. We needed another boy cousin!! :)