Cameron learns to ride

This weekend Cameron learned to ride his two wheeler. He could do it at the beginning of the summer but didn't like the fact that he had to look where he was going. For that reason he gave up the two wheeler and we put the training wheels back on. But this weekend Natalie started pushing him around on another bike and he took off. Today was beautiful outside so during Avery's nap we went outside and rode, rode, rode. I took the video with my phone as I am walking/jogging up the street so sorry if you feel a bit sick after watching it.

Avery and the flour

A little video so my mom can see how big Avery is getting. This was about 2 weeks ago when she got into the flour. The camera is turned so she is looking at herself.

How I got my cold

An Avery Update

She is 16 months and full of personality. It seems like when little day to day things happen I will remember them, but as I am realizing, my memory isn't all that great. I figured I should write down some of the little things she does that we find so entertaining. And so my mom and dad can have an update in MN.

-she know who each of her siblings are and will go and give them each a hug and a kiss when directed. Ex: "Go give Cameron a kiss" and she will run and find him with her mouth open for a kiss.
-can "say" Natalie's name. "Na-na"
-thinks pinching is funny- Every time Eric changes her diaper she will fiddle with her fingers as if trying to decide if she should do it or not. And then her little hand reaches out and pinches his knee and is back on her tummy before you know it. Then she will shake her head no because she knows shes not supposed to do that. For me, she will pinch my upper arm when I am holding her. And again shake her head no because she knows better.
-climbs on the table a MILLION times a day to try and get whatever someone else is eating, to get whatever papers someone has or just because she can
-is a dance maniac. If any music starts, so do her hips. And if it is something she knows, she goes all out with hips, arms, head, everything.
-does not like to go to bed. She knows that as soon as Cameron's bedtime story is done it will be time to get in bed. Before I get off his bed she runs out of the room, down the hall and looks for a hiding place.
-can say: baby, cocoa (although she doesn't drink it, yet), bumble (for Cameron's Transformer Bumblebee), animal sounds (woof woof, meow, moo), no no, mama, daddy
-loves to wave hi to people, but if they talk to her first she is stone faced
-is learning to navigate my phone

First Day of School -2011

The kids were all very exited for the first day of school. I drove the girls up to school so I could meet their teachers and help them get settled. Natalie wanted to be dropped off first, so first she was. Her teacher is very nice and she has some good friends in her class.Then it was down the hall to first grade. Ella met her teacher, found her desk and we unpacked her supplies. She was a bit nervous but had a great first day.Cameron also had his first day of preschool. He was excited but confused when I didn't drive him up to the elementary school. He had a great first day. He did come home and tell me he took the lid off the cricket cage. He will defiantly be keeping his teacher on her toes.Since it was a busy morning to get to the school in time to get a parking spot, I took some pictures of the girls in the backyard after school.Ella thought she needed this blow up crayon that she won at Big Al's in the picture because it was the first day of school.

Fun in the Park

A few weekends ago we went to the annual Wilsonville fun in the park. My mom found out about in the paper a few years ago and we always try to make it part of our summer plans. It is a completely free event with so many fun things for kids to see and do.

First off there are about 15 bounce houses and that alone would in my mind make it worth it.
All sorts of places (dental offices, Mary Kay, insurance agents) have booths with different things for kids to do. At a daycare booth they made cute boats and set them sailing.There was a booth with all these bubbles set out including the chance to be inside a GIANT bubble. You can't tell by Cameron's face in this picture because he is so focused on holding still, but he LOVED this!They had a scrambler ride that the kids had a blast on.

And the bird people were there again. The kids loved the chance to hold these exotic birds and it makes for a great picture.

And then there is the face painting. They have a few booths that had face painting, but every year I would see these kids with AMAZING pictures on their faces. I really wanted the kids to get them done this year so we got in line as soon as we got there. Things were slow going so Eric stayed in line while I took the kids around to see some of the booths. Two hours later it was our turn. I thought there would be a sheet to choose which picture you wanted, but nope, just tell the guy what you want and he would paint it. We saw every kind of animal you could think of, mimes, fireworks, creepy stuff, pretty stuff, pretty much anything. Like I said, amazing. The kids loved it and so worth the wait. My neighbor said she is now going to start calling Cameron "Jack Jack".

Natalie turns 9!

Natalie turned 9 on Friday and is weeks away from starting 4th grade. I can remember so many things about 4th grade and it is so strange to think that now I have a kid that old. I remember thinking sometime after she was born {when Natalie is 10 I will be 33!} and I am sure that was really old and now that isn't that far off. But not at all old. ;)

This year we did a family birthday party instead of a friend one. First she opened her presents.

Then it was off to the activity of her choice. Dinner and games at John's Incredible Pizza Co. (the co. is on the sign so my kids always say that part when talking about the place, quite funny to me).

Natalie and Ella finishing up their dinner

Avery chewing on a breadstick. She wasn't fond of much else.

Then today we had our family dinner chosen by the birthday girl. Hamburgers from the BBQ and the cake that she chose.

Skittles rainbow cake



6 layers

A LOT of cake and A LOT of time, but it was fun

Happy 9th Birthday to my little girl that isn't so little any more! We love you!