Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Today is my husband's birthday, and although he doesn't want a lot of fanfare, and would rather not be getting any older (tough luck, Babe!), I'd like to wish him a Happy Birthday and a year of love and adventure! We're off to a fantastic start - we leave for Nicaragua in two days!! He can't even sleep now, he's so excited. He's been packed for days! His surfboards are waxed and waiting, he bought about eight cans of sunscreen - the good stuff - not what I grew up calling "suntan lotion" with an SPF4. He's got our transportation all worked out, and we'll be one of those big shot families at the airport looking for a guy holding a sign with our name on it. Sweet! Not to mention the mansion we're staying at! Dios mio!! There is a very cool group of people coming along to join us there, and in all we have twelve to fifteen people (including kids, and yes, they should be included)! Should be a fantastic time!

This photo booth picture strip was taken on Oliver's 6th birthday - ten days ago! I told you I've been busy - and from the following pictures you'll see why. It was super funny to see him wake up on his birthday morning, with me kind of shaking him awake, saying, "Hey sleepy head! It's your birthday, you know!" He sat straight up in bed, then shot out of the room yelling, "Dada! It's my birthday, you know!" It was only 6:30 a.m., but we needed to get things going. They left right away to get some fresh doughnuts at Voodoo, the best place on earth for fresh doughnuts, and that's where the pictures were taken. Andy told me later that Ollie really wanted to play all three of their pinball machines, and he let him, although the people sitting at the table near them were giving him the stink eye, mentally saying, "It's only 7:00 a.m., you know!"

Oliver lined up his presents from us in a nice straight row. He likes building walls.

After his party, which was a fantastic success at a place that specializes in making dreams come true for six year olds (think enormous jungle gym, arcade games, trading tickets for "treasures", etc.), we went down to the Willamette under the St. John's bridge to play with the remote control speed boat we got him! It was awesome! Afternoon sunshine, not rain! Woohoo!

He was so happy! But wait, the fun continues! The next day we headed to Build-A-Bear Workshop so that Rachel could pick out some cute stuff for her bear (her birthday present from Grammy & Granddaddy - her birthday post is coming too), and of course I couldn't resist getting a new lovey for Ollie. I'm such a softie!

To end the day on a high note (oh that's bad - you'll see), the kids asked if they could climb the wall at REI. Although they've been climbing (bouldering, really) their whole lives, they've never done it in a harness before. This time, I said yes!

Looking back at where he just came down from.

Turning six is a blast! Don't you agree?

Whatcha Doin'?

Oh, my little blog! I have been neglecting you! Here's why...in the past two weeks we've had day after day of some combination of fun, excitement, hard work, snow!, and a little vomiting (just to keep us on our toes). You see, our kids' school finally moved into the new location that we've been waiting for since, well, years ago. There was a flurry of activity in the new space to prepare it for students, and I've spent a lot of time there lately. A lot. It's all been worth it though seeing how excited the kids are to have a bit more space to stretch out and explore. I'm so happy for them.

The picture above was from about a week ago. We woke up to a very wintry scene here in Portland, and the schools decided to call it a day before the sun even came up. Too bad though - the stuff was completely melted by 10:00 am! Whatever. It was the only "snow day" so far this winter, so I think the logic was that we should just enjoy the day off. Yeah fine, except I had an appointment that morning to take care of #1 on my list! My wonderful husband came through for me though, and I got to drop the kids off with him while I took care of myself. It was awesome.

Oh yes, the vomiting. Well, suffice it to say that somebody - probably not me - gave my kids food poisoning on opposite ends of last week. I don't know how that can happen, but it was dramatic, and thankfully brief for both of them. All better now! We've been pretty healthy for a long time (knocking on wood here), got our flu shots last fall, and are really hoping nothing else pops up before our big (huge) trip to Nicaragua that is fast approaching.

Picture Inspiration - Week 1 - Self Portrait!

So, between all that, and starting a new photography class or two, organizing the spring fundraiser for the school, and working out as often as possible, I've still got a crazy March to contend with. March is a marathon every year now because my husband and both of our children have birthdays this month, actually within twelve days of each other! I think I've got the kids parties covered, cakes have been ordered, grandparents are on their way, but...oh wait...do I have any presents yet? A few. Phew! This mom stuff can be pretty exhausting. And pretty great too!