Halloween on Bluegrass Way

We teamed up with our neighbors, the Caddells, for trick-or-treating.  It was treats every time.

The final stop at Sharon and Doug's next door. 

Oliver turns 6!

Palm Springs

After Disneyland, we got to spend some time near Palm Springs.

Jenny and I got away for a bit to explore the famous tramway the runs from the sunny and warm valley out of Palm Springs, up 8,500 feet to the top of a a chilly alpine forest. We were prepared for the drop in temperature (from 85+ to about 38 degrees), but it surprised us all the same to start the day in shorts, and just an hour later find ourselves hiking in snow fall.  The views of the forest and of the the expansive valley below were amazing.

The kids relaxing in the pool

We took a day trip to Joshua Tree park, which was stunning, and a bit strange, with large rock formations spread over many square miles.

I was looking for lizards as I walked with the kids, but it was only when the kids ran ahead of me that I spotted a few of these fellows.

Skull rock

The Happiest Place on Earth

Last weekend we returned from Southern California, where we joined Nanna and Papa Evers for a few days in Disneyland, followed by some downtime in their place near Palm Springs.  We didn’t tell the kids we were going to Disneyland until we were arrived  at the airport and finally got in the rental car. Then we broke the news.

Once at the park, we suited up in costumes. Here’s Mom making up Zaeda, eyeliner and all.

We attended a Princess Breakfast, where lucky diners are greeted by 6 famous princesses. Zaeda was so amazed, she hardly remembered to touch her food. Once they disappeared, she caught up big time.

And then, after eating plenty of syrupy pancakes, Zaeda danced it off on the paddle boat.

Here Oliver gets to pose with some well-known friends in the news Cars Land is CA Adventure.

Oliver's First Day of Kindergarten

Oliver had a great first week at kindergarten. He's excited to go every day and won't stop talking on the way home. He's learning plenty of new Spanish words and making friends.

We learned just the week before that we were not in a bus zone, but we also learned of a shortcut that makes our daily walk to school a bit shorter. While the weather is nice, we're enjoying taking him in.  We'd like to make the walk a regular thing, regardless of the weather. For his sake and ours. It's good exercise!

This is How Fights Get Started

Slapping Oliver in the head was really funny....  until suddenly he decided it wasn't.

We brought in another stool so both kids could stand in front of the mirror and make silly faces and noises before brushing teeth.  They were in a goofy mood. I realize I'll get no parenting awards on this one.

Oliver graduates from Pre-Kindergarten! NEXT: Real Kindergarten

The proud graduate.

Oliver has been in a YMCA Daycare program since he was 3 month old. Zaeda as well. We love the staff at the downtown Portland school. It's near PSU and there are many energetic and devoted young teachers who provide a great program for our children. The location is just 5 years old, which means that Oliver's cohort, the boys and girls who have joined the program with him as infants and toddlers, are the first to go from start to finish.

On Saturday Oliver and his classmates graduated at a very cute ceremony at a nearby church. This marks for many the last days they will see each other.  Portland alone has 49 elementary schools, with that number again in the surrounding region.

The YMCA is just around the corner from Portland's Old Church, built in 1885. They rented the church for Oliver  pre-K graduation ceremony.

Before the ceremony, their teacher goes over the program with them.

Lining up to go out and perform for the crowd of family members. Only one kid in the room seems really jazzed about this.

Oliver will especially miss his crush,
Isabella (left, purple dress)

Off they go.

Goofing off with best friend Nolan and little brother, Sammy.

Next up for Oliver is being part of the first kindergarten group to start at the brand new Trillium Creek Elementary school, opening it's doors to the public for the first time next week.

POSTSCRIPT: After years of wonderful service and quite rough use by our budding little photographer, it is clear that the powers of our old Sony Digital Camera are severely diminished. I can't tell you how many times the thing has been dropped. But it's always been there for us.  We are ready to be doing some camera shopping today.

Dance moves

Another Anniversary in the Portland Rose Garden

Our 12th Anniversary, on August 12, 2012

Fourth of July

We really enjoyed a Fourth of July party hosted by our neighbors up the street. Lots of kids were very excited by sparklers and pop-its and especially the rockets that launch, explode, and send a plastic army man parachuting down.

Jenny handing lit fireworks to neighborhood toddlers.*

Oliver and Zaeda wanted to bring their bikes so they could ride around with the other kids.

Before

After

Meanwhile, we have some new next-door neighbors, including two boys exactly Oliver and Zaeda's ages. The boys do a lot of yelling and toy sharing over the fence.  They often come over to play, as they did on this early July day when we set up a sprinkler.

Hold this sprinkler. I swear I won't turn it on.

*Editor's note:  Jenny has just clarified that in the first photo she was taking away a firework that I had handed that child.