Cinco De Mayo

I don't know about you but when I think of Mexico's Independence Day, I think of pony rides.

Meet Ms. Annie and Cowboy Bob and Molly the pony. Alden hadn't ridden a pony since he was 6 months old. This time it really sunk in.

Art Class(es)

At the beginning of the warm months our community center offered art classes for toddlers. We went a few times to check out the progressive art that the great teachers patiently walked the kids through. They read books about colors and featured a historic artist of the week. I think that Alden was really there for the free period at the end where they could run around in circles in a toddler frenzy.

Finger painting becomes...

... elbow painting becomes...

... whole arm painting!

BFF Jackson and Alden made father's day cards one morning.

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!

To the bone, I am a fall person. I like rain. I like chilly. After this past wet winter, I haven't been so happy to see the sun in ages. The notorious leak that has plagued Alden's room for over 3 years now is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-ack. And it has brought a little friend.

This is Dustin getting the syphon going to drain the water from the pool/roof. It is a sad, thankless job. One that causes angry outbursts followed by long moments of silence broken by stifled sobs. From all of us. It's like trying to potty train a dog. Just. Go. Where. I. Am. Telling. You. To. Go. No, not on the roof. No. NO!

Not to be outdone, the leak has now spread to the other side of Alden's room wall into our hallway.

Before you comment about how this post seems oddly timed as we've just experienced a week of 100 plus degrees a day, note that I am trying to catch up after having been drug under the bus of summer.

FEast-er

What used to be just Easter is now Feaster! Look at this spread. Mom-in-law did a great job getting our brunch on.

Alden received a robotic puppy since our cat won't let him touch her. He just wants to snuggle so bad. And so hard. This might help.

Action shot of Alden hunting for eggs. Of course, I tear up as both Grandpa Eric and Papa Dan and Dustin are calling out hints and encouragement to Alden. I loved the team effort. Good hunting practice. But I'm still not letting Alden go camping with them. Ever. There is a newspaper editorial that you can ask them about some other time.



We dyed eggs at a friend's house (Hi, Jules!) where our three little boys experimented with many different dying options. Many, many options. Note Alden's lips in profile. OOOOOOO!

That's Good Bingo

All I wanted for my birthday this year was to play bingo. Since that's not your typical Saturday evening fun fest in Grants Pass, Oregon, we decided to host a game or 6 ourselves.

With daubers in hand, nearly 18 people sat patiently as we worked our way through so many games. It was fun. It was loud. And their were some prizes won. We had all sorts of things for the lucky winners: a baked potato shaped planter, a Pez dispenser, a Hall and Oats record, a ceramic taco holder, and cash money.





This kid was daubed out.

Roller Derby Name

I am joining this as soon as I can purchase my mouth gaurd. This has been over 6 years in the making. I'm was a chicken and now I'm not.

Help me decide on my Rolley Derby name:

Tangy Ream (like tangerine)

Rita Freakin' Book

Orange You Glad

Code Orange

Big Eddie Orange Punch

Blood Orange

Thanks to several submissions from Gavin. He gets me.

Shut the Front Door!

This new door came to us locally from Rogue Valley Door. Dustin does some of their marketing and design work. In trade, we scored this beautiful new front door. Dustin was committed to get it in for our guest to enter through for my birthday party!