{Exploring} Portland: OMSI

I have heard amazing things about the hands-on Science Museum (OMSI) here in Portland since moving here.
FINALLY a family membership was sold at a deep discount through Groupon and I snatched it up.
I took the kids to spend the day there on Saturday, and spend the day we did!
Everyone had such a great time and we never ran out of things to do and to explore.
I am really looking forward to having access to this terrific museum for the next twelve months.

The Tag-a-long

Shortly after moving here to Portland I realized that there are certain things that you have to own (and use) to be considered an Oregonian.

My first purchase toward becoming an Oregonian was this.  Still love it but one of my passengers is growing up and wants to be part of the family bike rides - not just a passenger as mom runs behind.

Time for another Oregonian purchase - the tag-a-long.
(LOVE craigs list!)
It's a child's bike (half a bike to be exact) that attaches to a full size bike.

Jake is in heaven!

He and Rich have a new pastime.  Just last weekend they took an 18 mile ride.  All Rich has to say to Jake is "do you want to ride your new bike?" and Jake will drop anything and be ready to go.  It is so great!

And while I claim it is the Oregon coming out in us, I realized shortly after the purchase that it may just be the Dougall coming out in us.

Rich's sister (and fellow Oregonian) rides with two kids on her bike.

Rich's SIL rides the streets of London with FOUR kids (and probably groceries) in tow in her bike!

I can't believe that Rich only pedals ONE!
We have a long way to go.
:)

First Week of School

Deep sigh of relief!

Summer has ended.

School has begun.

And we survived the first week - which FLEW by, just in case you were wondering...

K has begun the 5th grade.  She and C were given the opportunity to transfer to a different school and we gladly took it.  So they are both at a new school again this year.   Not our ideal, but we felt that the advantages outweighed the cost.  K was pushing for the move, so that was an easy choice.

K has a great teacher and actually has another member of the church in her class, which is unheard of!

It's hard to believe that she will be entering middles school next year.  

C is in the 3rd grade.  He wasn't as sure about the transfer but once he toured the school and met the principal he was completely on board.  I really feel like this will be a good thing for C and he has come home very happy every day this week, which is a big deal around here!

J is attending a Pre-K class at a neighborhood Presbyterian Church.  The classroom is SO cute, the teachers are SO nice and the parents are SO friendly.  I couldn't be happier that we got the last opening they had :)

T can not be old enough to be in preschool!

But he is!

I decided to teach a small preschool class for T and a few of his friends.  It's a small bunch but getting that time with T is priceless!

I don't have a photo of Conner - but he started High School!  

Crazy, I know!

J, T and I headed out to his house Tuesday right before school let out to decorate his door with a candy-gram. Thanks to the 93 degree temps he may have not had much left of it by the time he got home but that is when you say, "it's the thought that count".

That is our gang.
We are lined up at the starting line, the gun has been fired and we are off!

Will work for food...

T downtown last weekend.
Sadly, he fits right into the Portland culture...

Genes

Not long ago I posted a photo of J hanging from the rails of the MAX train...

Now I understand.
It's genetic!

And I'm pretty sure which branch of the family tree the genes come from...

{Exploring} Portland: The 4 T's

Today's activity has been a LONG time in coming.

Okay, so we have only lived here a year - but I have wanted to do this since moving here and learning about it!

If EVER you come to Portland (and it's not raining - which tends to occur frequently) make sure that you put the 4 T's on your list of things to do!

The 4 T's is a "trek" of sorts that involves four modes of transportation - all of which begin with the letter "T".

The trip is one huge loop so you end up where you began, regardless of which point in the loop you choose to begin with.  

T #1: TRAIL: a hike of approximately 4 miles

We chose to begin at the zoo and hike toward OHSU.  We were joined by uncle Geoff and three of his kids and aunt Kathryn and her daughter.  You would not believe how AWSOME all these kids did on this hike!  Seriously impressive - especially J and Riles who are only 4 and 5 years old and walked the entire trail.

T #2: TRAM: an aerial tram that connects Marquim Hill to the South Waterfront

This was the shortest portion of the trek, but I think all the kids would agree that it was the favorite part!

T#3: TROLLEY: the first modern streetcar system in the country

I'm pretty sure that the ride was welcome relief after all the hiking we had done the 2 1/2 hours previously.

T#4: TRAIN: from downtown back to the zoo where we began

The train is the one portion of the trek that we have used many times.  We love the train system here in Portland (especially at 5:30 a.m. when Rich is heading to the airport!)

So much fun!
Our 4 T's was further expanded by noting that "T"y was with us and we ate "T"rail mix all along the way.
Put us down as the 6-Ter's!
(missed you Tanner - you could have been our 7th T)

Oregon State Fair 2011: What I learned

It's that time of year again!

Funnel Cakes and Snow Cones and Elephant Ears and Deep Fried Oreos.

I could only be referring to the state fair!

This was the gang (minus Kathryn and kids who joined us later) watching the Animal Races.

What I learned: When paired against a duck, a goat and a turkey, the pig will win every time.

The Petting Zoo, complete with wallaby.

What I learned: Deer will eat about anything, including my sons t-shirt (while he is wearing it).

The Carnival Rides

What I learned: Even after Oaks Park and Lagoon this summer, I have a hard time saying "no" to my 3 year-old when it comes to him riding a motorcycle.

The Catch and Release Pond

What I learned: Fish are smarter than we give them credit for.  They won't take the bait after a certain number of times getting hooked!

The BMX Course
What I learned (or rather what Conner and C learned): 30 minutes is a long time!

The Rock Climbing Wall
What I learned: J is one determined bugger and is in need of a rock wall!

Turns out that even though many of the activities this year were repeats from last year (Hynotist, Chinese Acrobats, Reptile Tent, etc) the kids still had a great day and would have stayed longer had 10 hours not been my limit!
What I know: Any activity is more fun when cousin Riley (and her mom) join us.  Thanks guys!

Safety First

T spent the afternoon outside riding his bike.
When I checked on him I saw that he was not wearing his helmet so I hollared,
"Where is your helmet Ty?"

T replied,
"It's okay.  I'm wearing goggles!"
 

You have to admit that the boots are also a nice addition...