Field trip to the zoo

Emma's preschool class took a fieldtrip to the zoo this morning.

We were a bit concerned with the clouds that had rolled in, but it

turned out to be a beautiful day.

~

The giraffes are new to our zoo. Each time we've been there, they've been shy.

Today, however, they were out in the open...even running around a bit.

All of the kids love the lions.

They were pretty calm this time...just taking in the sunshine.

This pic is a bit dark...I'm so happy that I'm able to go on the
field trips with the kids. So nice to be able to see their excitement.


We cannot go to the zoo without a few trips down the giraffe slide.

One of the things I knew I'd miss this spring were the flowering trees that

were in such abundance in Portland. Imagine my delight when I discovered

that they are all over here! Throughout the zoo, you could smell the cherry blossoms.

For me, there is no better smell.

Another reason I prefer our zoo over the Portland Zoo is the fact that

your guaranteed a look...and usually a very close look...at the tigers. This tiger was just on the other side of the glass from the kids.

Emma's favorite part of the zoo is the caurosel.

I need help!!

I found this to put on the wall over...

this in the front entryway.

Bob's great-aunt recently passed away. His mom asked if I wanted her old sewing machine.

It's has all of the original accessories, including the owner's manual.

I have tw options as to where to put it...either back in our bedroom where it will live a

very sad lonely existence (no one ever goes back there but us), or I can put it in the front entry way as an entray way table. Most of the older machines I've seen...the actual sewing machine folds down into the cabinet. This one stays on top and has a box that covers it. I'll have to figure out how to work that in, but I thought this old window would look great over the sewing machine. I've seen them decorated with family photos, vinyl letters, dried flowers.

I need help with this one!

Does anyone have any ideas for the window?

Should I sand it and refinish it or leave it in it's weathered glory?

It is missing the upper right pane of glass...I'm hoping I can just leave that as it is and work

it into the whole thing...maybe an embroidery piece would fit in that spot?

HELP!!!

Our weekend

We were so pleased to finally have enough room to have the workers come to stay.

The kids loved their time with Jay and Chris.

We hope to have them back in the future!

Bob loves being able to spend time with us on the weekends again!

Go, Fish!

Emma asked Chris to color with her. He picked out a page to color. When she

saw it, she told him that she'd find an easier one for him to color. :)

Their collaboration...what a work of art!

Ryan's project on Sunday afternoon.

After school this afternoon, I went up to find Emma in her room reacquanting herself

with all of her toys. This baby needed to be rocked.

Happy Anniversary!!

My parents celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary today.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the wonderful example you have

been for all of us.

We love you!

Crocodile tears

Tonight, after getting ready for meeting, I wanted to take a picture

of Emma. She wasn't willing to cooperate, so I put the camera away. She

immediately started to cry and told me that she wanted me to take her picture.

The only way to make her happy was to take her picture. So, here are the two photos I took...I think they are the saddest things I've ever seen. If you double-click on the first photo, you can see the crocodile tear rolling down her face. So sad...almost made me cry.

Immediately after we finished taking our pictures, she was a happy

girl again.

A Sweet Visit

a delightful friend visited Emma today

Em and Em

Our weekend

We had a fabulous weekend...Ryan's best friend from Portland

came to visit him. They haven't seen each other since we moved in August.

You can imagine how excited both of them were.

I used to watch Zack and his three brothers after school.

This was the scene most days in our house...all of the boys armed with

light sabers and Emma right in the middle of it.

We celebrated Max's birthday a little late at Amanda's parents' house.

Mom was so glad to get in a little reading time with Emma.

Happy 31!

Friday was Ryan's spring concert. He went to school in the morning, and Zack, Emmalee and I walked over for the morning performance. It was really nice...songs about rain and spring and sunshine. His teacher let us miss the afternoon performance so Ryan could come home

early to be with Zack and his brothers.

A little one-on-one.

Buddies

~

I love that time has no barriers when it comes to childhood friendships.

~

We also took the kids to the "Y" for swimming, but those pics are on Betty's camera.

A visit to the "spider" park.

Emma decided to sit down and pretend to be sad. She was

doing a pretty good job of it until I asked her what was wrong...then out popped the dimples.

Emma's "don't mess with me" face.

I was playing the catcher, Kaden was the pitcher, Emma was the hitter and

Betty was the "carry-runner" ... the "carry the hitter around the

bases because she's never played this before" person.

This was supposed to be a family picture, but

Em had to be a part of it. I don't think they minded, though.

After our company left for Portland, Ryan and Bob got to work

on their marble creation. They love to build new structures.

It's a good study of engineering for Ryan.

While the boys were building, Emma and I went on a skooter ride.

She wanted to check on the rocks that she planted...they seem to be growing. :)