May 23 - John's Birthday Party

John turned six while we were gone, so we had a little party with Grandma DH after we got home. Thomas looooves blowing out birthday candles, so we re-lit and re-blew many times over, which John didn't mind either! John's big present this year was a tee, ball, bat and glove, so the boys have been having a great time with their daddy in the back yard.

May 21 - University of Washington

The next afternoon, after Calvin was finished his class, we walked the University campus. It is very beautiful. I was surprised how "east coast" some of the buildings were. Some of the old buildings were part of the Pacific-Alaska exhibition in 18??. Mt. Rainier looms in the distance (look real close above the fountain). Thomas walked as slow as he could, and John pondered how he was going to pay for his college education. I felt a little conspicuous, as our boys were pretty much the only kids we saw all day. After that, we spent some time at the playground by Green Lake and headed home after rush hour...

May 21 - Woodland Zoo

Calvin wanted to take motorcycle classes to get his license, and the rest of us got to go along too! We stayed at the University Inn near the U of Wa, where the boys took until 11pm to fall asleep. The next day while Calvin toiled, we took the shuttle to the zoo and spent the day there. John loved everthing. Thomas loved the rabbits and running off to find a private spot to (!). My favorites were the bears and the penguins, which is a brand-new exhibit using geo-thermal systems for all the water. When we couldn't walk anymore we met up with Calvin at the hotel where the boys swam in a freezing pool. After that we walked the University District, finally settling on a Greek joint where John chose...pizza! Thomas didn't choose anything...he was sound asleep on a table.

April 5 - Sunday Afternoon

We have been taking long walks out back on Sunday afternoons; the weather has been just lovely the last few days! There used to be a bulb farm out back, and each year we get to marvel in the daffodils. Thomas also did his share of marvelling in mud and the creek we found - he sat right in it! I have plenty of pictures of John too, but since they all involve daffodils tucked behind each ear, I am going to protect him from possible future extortion...Yesterday was the first yard day...Calvin started up the mower and the boys followed him around like two little ducks with theirs. I did a tiny bit of yard work - my fuschia bushes had all rotted (this peat is very wet - I am still learning) so I had to rip them all out, but my peonies are high and dry where I transplanted them behind the garage. I had been losing three to five bushes every year to the wet soil! I am so excited that spring is here, I can hardly stand it! Tomorrow starts the first day of spring break, and we are looking forward to having John home for a few days. He is going to have a friend overnight, and hopefully Leshia and I will get to take all the kids to the zoo or the park at Lake Whatcom. Have a wonderful Sunday! And in case I don't post until afterwards, Happy Easter!!

March 27-31

March wrapped up with the Spring Program, which John loved. Cameron did great - she even said her speech! I have a lot of video but will spare you :)! The next few days we were in recovery (it was a very long program)...John made Caillou pancakes, flew his kites and drove Thomas around the yard. We have great weather one day, rainy the next...

The Lord's Prayer

Still working on that shut eye thing...

My Final "Winter" Post

Okay, my fine family, we are updated!! I will finish with a few pics of the boys at play...Doesn't Thomas looks like he is on a Harley? He used to have to stand up and drag the wheel to turn around, but now he turns with breakneck speed and even makes skid marks! When he thinks we aren't looking he will turn around on the road. John is loving his "big boy" bike and he does a great job of keeping an eye on his little brother. I don't worry as much as I used to when they are out front. We also got John a new sled. Do you like it?