corn maze

We joined Russa and Christian's family for a long Labor Day weekend at The Resort at the Mountain, on Mt. Hood. They have a daughter Nicole who is old enough to be interested in "watching" Ben, and a son Andrew, who's been Owen's friend since Monroe Center. Russa scored some great room rates, which included lots of tickets to their blues and beer festival. We all enjoyed the festival- sampling yummy beers while the boys terrorized the putting green. After a brunch we drove the fruit loop- picking some fresh veggies, apples and peaches and enjoying beautiful Oregon September weather. A very fun trip with good friends and a great way to cap off the summer.

inspired for august

I missed August in the blog- the summer was packed with fun and school came too quickly. Heather just updated her blog last night, having got stuck at the same time as me this summer- at our camping trip to the coast. I'm inspired to get back up to date, so here is August!

Starting with Ben tackling his big brother,

playing out in the front yard,

and celebrating Richard's birthday with a stylish new toilet seat:

We joined the Stokes' on their camping trip to the Oregon coast. We left behind 100 degree weather in Corvallis for 60-70 degrees on the coast with some peeks of sunshine. The boys had a blast playing on the beach with Sylvie, riding bikes around the campground, and eating outside. We also took a trip to some beautiful tide pools, saw a lighthouse, and went out for a few meals- we aren't exactly hard core campers! Ben did better this year then last- he actually slept a few hours on our chests the first night, and a few hours more the next night. Heather and Pete provided us with hot coffee in the morning. Owen did wonderful in the tent- he seems to sleep even sounder outside then in his bed.

My camera battery died at about hour 3 of our trip, so here are the last few pictures and some phone pictures I got. The rest of the trip is immortalized on Heather's blog, with much more beautiful photography than I would have achieved anyway- so follow this link to see our beautiful kiddos playing on the beach!

National Dress-like-a-Pirate Day? No- Owen dressed like someone from a fairy tale for one of his last weeks in Pre-K at Lancaster Center. He choose Captain Hook (and is currently very much into pirates- he also likes to talk like a pirate- quite cute!).

Ben, Richard and I at a duck pond in Albany. Ben still loves ducks.

Finally, ending the month where it began, with Ben loving his brother the best way he knows how!

milestones

kindergarten!

Today was Owen's first day of Kindergarten at Zion Lutheran School. I still need to post about two vacations and the end of summer, but time marches on, seemingly uninterested in my inability to keep the blog up to date, so those will just be out of order.

Owen met his teacher Mrs. Messer when we visited the school last spring, and then we have run into her multiple times over the summer. She did a home visit last week. At first Owen was very shy, but he took her on a personal tour of the house and his toys, during which he opened up and showed her the sweet, talkative boy that he is. Since he was comfortable with his teacher and the classroom, there was no drama this morning, unless you count Mom's wet eyes. The school day started with a service in the chapel, after which each class was called to the front starting with pre-K and the kids met the teacher and walked out. Owen put on his shark backpack, gave us both a kiss and walked right up there to meet his new friends.

Owen had a great first day: he had a lot of fun, plus learned all of the logistics around pottys and lockers and lunch. He's looking forward to going back tomorrow.

We couldn't be prouder.

Some of Owen's thoughts on starting school:

Owen wasn't sad to leave pre-K, because he and his friend Oliver are going to be going to college together (so they can study to be airport ground crew).

Owen would prefer one school day to 100 days of weekend. Or even better one school day to 1,000,000 days of weekend. Mom and Dad agree.

Owen didn't understand why I wanted to take his picture on the first day of school since he's been going to "school" since he was 1.

party under the big top

After having so much fun at the circus in Vermont with Grandma Sally, Owen asked for a circus themed birthday. His original vision seemed daunting to pull off- he wanted to put on circus acts for his class mates- he and Laurel spent the next few weeks coming up with some circus acts. One involves him wearing a mesh box on his head. Another involves him balancing on his plastic giraffe. The last, named "old man beard walking" has him walking with a cane and him falling over.

Richard was confident that we would have a successful party, but to be sure, we hired an actual performer to keep the party moving- the Amazing Spaghetti, Dan Freed, a local magician and child entertainer. Owen invited his whole pre-k class, plus his usual playmates outside of school, and we had a great turnout.

The Amazing Spaghetti started with a magic show and included Owen in several of his tricks. Owen was a surprisingly willing participant- he made crayons disappear, made a coloring book fill with colors, and did some scarf tricks. The kids were a great audience and laughed the entire time. Then Dan pulled out a huge parachute, and we all played with it in the front yard. Dan moved on to balloon animals for all the kids, then drawings of Owen and Ben. He also kicked off the freestyle show- Owen and the rest of the kids performing for each other. Owen did all of his tricks, Laurel as well. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

We enjoyed clown cupcakes, present opening, and turns with the train set. The Muhly's and Delos-Reyes' stayed for dinner and for some sprinkler time and more kid shows.

Owen had a wonderful 5th birthday party- one I think we will all remember.

Many photos courtesy of Uncle Todd Muhly.

owen at 5

Growing like a weed, Owen just passed 4' and weighs 52 pounds. His hair grows fast too- a blond and curly mop that we tame with trimmers usually not as frequently as we should. Owen's strong enough to power his bike up the driveway, and cautious enough not to ride it into the street. His favorite things are his dad, his bubba and blankie, and his Playmobile toys. He loves being a big brother, but still learning all the implications- like sharing toys and attention. He continues to ask us questions rapid fire- eager to learn everything and will remember everything he's been told. He follows his dad's preference for non-fiction- typically books about planes or outer space and rockets- but will still crack up at a good Poppleton story. He loves flying and traveling, both for the journey as well as to see his grandparents. He and Laurel have become fast friends- we feel so lucky to have a cousin living so close. He's cautiously optimistic about starting Kindergarten in September. We know he will thrive!

the big five

Owen turned five on Tuesday. We had a really special day together, taking a day off of pre-K to have fun at home. Dad came at lunch and we opened his birthday gifts. He was thrilled with all the new loot and the day flew by playing with everything. The Muhly's joined us for the annual spaghetti and meatball birthday dinner followed by cupcakes that Owen had helped make. We are so proud of our bright and handsome 5 year old, and can't wait for the next exciting year.