Tor's Preschool Graduation

The day finally arrived ... Tor has graduated preschool! It was bittersweet, because our family has been going to Calvary Community Preschool for 6 years, and now that is ending.

Tor did a great job of singing all of the songs and doing the hand motions. He also said his full name into the mic. Afterwards, it was crazy, run around time with the boys in his class. We did manage to get some photos with his teacher Mrs. Savedra, the assistant Mrs. Scarborough, and the director Mrs. Whitman.

Spring Swim Lessons

The kids just wrapped up their spring swim lessons at Briarcliff with a free swim, with Mommy joining them. Jillian is now Level 6, which is considered "fitness swimming", Tor is still in the Armband Level since he can't yet stay above water on his own, and Bridget is so mad that she didn't move up from Level 2.

The Beach Tree

This old tree a couple doors down from the cabin has been the kids' go-to play place on this trip. They've got their own spots, using it as a fort.

Relaxing in the Sand

It was sunny and warm at the beach, so we stayed for quite a while, just playing and laying around.

Beach Yard Sales

We made a long bike trip through Ocean Park, checking out all the little yard sales. The kids found lots of 25-cent "treasures". Then, we went to the library, park and Jack's, taking in the sunny weather along the way.

Sea Lions

We've been talking about it for years, and we finally did it today ... we stopped at the docks in Astoria to see the sea lions. It was loud and smelly, but pretty entertaining to see them battling each other.

Fun Games Outside

 Tor was playing with Rielee and Ty and Bridget was with Tierney and Jillian.  This still happened when the birdie hit the ground.  I think the bigger kids weren't very patient and this didn't last long.

 Tor is showing his good serving form.  He actually loves to play the game and does pretty good.

 Tierney and Ty played Jillian and Rielee in a corn hole game.  They got beat pretty bad but they kept playing when Ty and Tierney went home and got better at the game.

During the corn hole game Bridget got a bag of snowball flowers and looks ready here to throw them at someone.

Farewell, Pastor Locke

Pastor Locke is retiring. For Bridget and Tor, he's the only pastor they can remember (Jillian remembers some others). The kids really liked him, especially Tor, since Pastor would always him high-fives.

Corn Hole Helpers

Cousins Ty and Brock (and Brock's girlfriend Kaylee) were back home, and playing corn hole, so the kids helped out with picking up the bean bags ... though Bridget said she was just the judge.

Mom's Day BBQ

It was a hot one, so we BBQ'd in Grannie and Papa's backyard with the grill and little firepit. The kids had fun spraying each other with the hose, and throwing snowball flowers at the adults.

Breakfast in Bed

The kids got to join Mommy in bed for donuts (and coffee). They also insisted on watching old episodes of Popeye, since that's what they did last year. Then, they gave Mommy their gifts.

Pre-school Beauty School

Mommy went to pre-school on Friday for a Mothers Day celebration. Tor got to put make-up on Mommy, and give her some of the crafts he made for her.

Perfume Sellers

The neighborhood girls got together and made some "perfume" (water mixed with flowers and herbs). They set up a stand, and waved signs at passing cars, selling cups of the perfume for 25 cents each. One of their customers must have thought they were selling lemonade, because he took a drink of it (and gagged on it).

Work and Play

This is where Jillian went to read after a busy day of running outside. When I asked her if she knew this was a special spot she did and said it was a special spot for her Mom and Dad.

 Bridget decided to play Tor at a game of badminton and since they both aren't very good yet the birdie landed on the ground a lot.

 And this is what happened every time the birdie hit the ground.  There was a wrestling match to see who could get the birdie.  More wrestling than playing badminton.

While the girls were in school, Tor helped me rake up branches.  Then he would drive the lawn tractor to dump the trailer full of brush.  He is showing his reward for working hard.

Biking and Football

We biked to the park in the late afternoon, and Tor reminded Daddy to bring the rainbow football, so we played a game of boys versus girls. It was a tie (no one scored).

Warming up with ice cream

The traditional ice cream after the beach ... they pretty much have the same thing every time.

The Two Towers

It was sunnier and warmer today, so we stayed at the beach for several hours. The kids played mostly in their network of "rooms" in the dry sand, and ventured briefly to the ocean (but the water was pretty cold).

Biking to Willapa Bay

It was a pleasant evening, so we all made a long bike ride to Bailey's Bakery on Willapa Bay. The kids walked down to the bay and worked on skipping oyster shells on the water. We had some tired kids when we got back.

Jump Roping

We brought some jump ropes to the beach, and Jillian and Tor used them in this way. Tor was a bit dramatic when the rope hit him.

Blue Bucket

Tor still fits, but not for much longer.

Beach, Day 1

Our first full day at the beach, and the kids couldn't wait to go play in the sand and waves. We stayed an hour or so digging "rooms" in the dry sand and checking out the tide pools by the ocean, but it got a little cold after playing in the water. Plus, Jillian face-planted in the wet sand, so she was done after that.

Nature

 I gave my camera to Jillian to go into the trees to take a picture of everyone playing there so after 128 pictures I got my camera back.  She took some great pictures, like this one of Tierney, Bridget, and Tor inside the trees. 

 She got some great close-up pictures of the wild flowers.

There was a lonesome trillium left in the woods. 

 

I think she also got pictures of every blooming flower in the yard.  While she was taking pictures, Bridget was picking bouquets to take to Mommy.  Tor found some clover and was attached to that to take home.