American Pride

The girls had been anxiously anticipating Nana and Amy's arrival ever since their voyage on the American Pride down the Columbia River was to end in Portland.  So, the day they arrived, I got the girls up at the crack of dawn, threw them in the van, grabbed some donuts and coffee on the way, and drove up to Jantzen Beach where the American pride was to dock at 8 am.   Nana & Amy stayed with us through the weekend.  On Saturday we walked around our neighborhood and had Burgerville for dinner.   On Sunday we took them to church and to the original Sandwich Express for lunch, then drove home through Carlton.  Amy was so nurturing and sweet to the girls, reading them many books and never saying no to a cuddle.  Nana was such a trooper, never saying no to a walk.   We had an amazing weekend and can't wait to see them again this summer at Nana's 90th birthday party!

In Carlton, next to Ken Wright Wine Cellars.

Check out the beautiful, hanging wisteria!

Tessa's First Swim Lesson

Tessa finally got in the pool!  After watching her sisters take swim lessons for over a year, it was finally her turn.  She's in the Tiny Tot class which introduces 2 & 3 year-olds to the clever swimming vocabulary consistent with all of the instructors, such as "bugs on the wall," "blast-off," "rocketship," "butter-butter-pop," "ice cream scoops," and "chicken-airplane-soldier."  Piper had her lesson at the same time, and it's super cute to see them interact with each other during their down time.

Tessa's instructor is Teacher Ben.   He is so amazing with the kids!

Time for kickers!

Ice cream scoops!

Backfloat!

Butter-butter-butter pop!

Lost Tooth

Miss McKinley Ruth finally lost her first tooth.  After almost a week of being loose, it fell out while she was rinsing her mouth of toothpaste.  She said she never felt it but saw some blood in the sink.  Luckily it didn't fall into the drain.  The rest of the day, she told everyone about losing her tooth; she was so proud.

Tessa thought she also lost a tooth.

100 Days of School

We made it!  100 instructional days & 18 thematic units into kindergarten, and we're still going strong!  McKinley wanted to celebrate by getting fancy in one of her Momma's old school outfits.  So naturally, Piper & Tessa wanted to dress up too.   Instead of counting straws (as part of her 100 chart) I surprised her with Smarties.  

Day 100

Day 1

Day 3 in the Creation Unit.

Making egg-carton turtles.

Painting full-body tracings.

Making and eating homemade butter.

Too cool for school!

Making elephant masks.