Grade 2, Year 2016-17

Dex started 2nd grade!  His teacher is Mrs.  Downes and he wants to be a zookeeper when he grows up!

Preschool and soccer

Earlier this year, oh say around April-ish, Dex got to do soccer. It was a "mommy and me" style class trying to teach kids the basics of soccer. Each practice we would rotate through different drills and the last day, they finally got to play a little game. Dex both hated and enjoyed it. He liked to be doing something, but soccer really isn't his thing and if you ask him now if he wants to do it again, it is a firm"NO!"

Juliette was also a trooper. I didn't know it would be a mommy and me class when we signed up so JJ had to hang out. She did have fun basing after rouge balls though. 

He also got into preschool for speech therapy to help reduce his nasality. He took and picked him, but it was hard to see him so grown up. 

Here he is waiting in line with the others while they get the rest of the kids off the bus. He looks so little!  

Part of April

During April Juliette learned how to pedal!  She caught on all in one day!

We had fun with the "popcorn tree" across from our apartment building.  It is so beautiful!  We had fun spotting "popcorn trees"  all over town and found a lot of different colors and "flavors" of popcorn.  The kids decided the pink popcorn trees were strawberry trees and the orange colored trees were, well, orange.  

 After hanging out with our friends the Clydes, Dexter was determined to climb this tree.  

He tried, 

and he tried,

and he tried,

but then he made it!

On one of Ashton's days off, we went exploring. We explored the estuary across from the apartment complex.   

We walked through the woods and learned about the 4 wind indian tribes that once called this place home.  

We found lots of animal tracks and found pretty areas.  

During one of the library story times, they had the firemen come and talk to the kids about fire safety and they got to see one of the fire trucks.  My kids were terrified to the practice drill of crawling on the floor to safety and they were almost as equally scarred of the fire truck.  They finally worked up the courage and went in and then sat on the back.  

We planted some food:  cherry tomatoes, peppers, strawberries,  spinach, and carrots.  We also planted some herbs.

We also got our flowers planted as well.

On another day off, we went to the beach.  This little girl loves to walk barefoot on the beach, or "in her toes" as she would say.  

We went early in the morning and found the crab carnage left from the seagulls breakfast feast.  

We also found this, but don't know what it is.  It is very jelly like and from the ocean :)

Most of January

One evening we went to the beach.  We saw this beautiful sunset peaking from behind Tillamook Head, and we also went shell hunting.

Another night, Juliette built herself a temple.  

And then the kids built a city and boat together.  It's so nice when they play so well together.

I needed a cute picture of JJ in her adorable red coat on Sunday.  

Dex wanted his picture taken as well.

Then, we finally had a break from the rain and the kiddos got to play outside.  Across from our building is a little bit of grass/moss with tons of mole hills.  I cleaned out the car and they played in the dirt.  Juliette was a mess, but that isn't a surprise.  She is always a mess and loves to get messy.  Dex on the other hand, was just a little messy.  Not a surprise either.  Dexter made her pickup and carry all the rocks they dug up because he didn't want to get messy.

We also had a beautifully sunny day, so the kids and I went outside!  This time we headed to the beach to swing.

Our first stop, they had moved the swings from, so we just played on the beach.  There were also fishing boats out on the water.  Dex loved to watch them.

JJ played in the sand and learned that it isn't very tasty after a few bites.  She kept saying, "i's yucky! spit, spit, spit).

We also saw a bald eagle soaring over the beach with the seagulls.  That was pretty awesome.

We then moved to a second spot and found the swings across from the aquarium.

At the end of the month, after JJ's little hospital stay (more on that later),  Juliette dressed me up.  She combed my hair and then put the headband and flowers in.  She did more of a flapper style complete with lots of beads and necklaces.  I think she did a great job!

You can tell she isn't feeling top notch in this picture.  She looks very tired and spent.  My sweet girl.