It's in the Bag!

Packing 3 kids for a two week vacation can seem like a daunting task, but to me, the 5 hour flight was what I was most worried about. For months I have been stashing away activity books and other goodies to keep my little angels busy while we were in the air. Nothing worse than hearing "I'm bored" for hours on end!

Each kid got a new suitcase for Christmas from their Grandma Flutter. They are the perfect size to be considered carry on, which saves us a ton of money by not checking them at the ticket counter. I set out their flip flops the night before, because even though it is chilly in Oregon, I knew it would make getting through security much easier.

Their backpacks are loaded to the top with activity books and snacks. I am SOOO glad I packed snacks because come to find out, US Airways does not give out complimentary snacks...at all. Just drinks. You will have to pay an inflated price to eat their food and quite honestly, I would have paid just to have something more to eat, but nothing on their menu list looked good to me.

Here is a look at what I packed in Zander's bag. Most everything fit inside a large ziplock bag, which made taking it out on the plane much easier. The majority of the books and activities were purchased at the Dollar Store or at the dollar area of Target and Michaels. Target had dry erase boards, pens and erasers!! Dollar Store had the zipable pencil pouches, colored pencils and pencil sharpeners, all which got used a lot!

Just before school got out, I found these cute luggage tags in the dollar bins at Michaels!

So many things I want to share with you

Wow, I have been such a slacker with my blog this summer. I guess that means we have been busy. I always think that once school is out we can have a nice relaxing summer, but usually the opposite is true. Between trying to keep the yard up (which I am failing at miserably), keep on top of my veggie garden, keeping the pool up and let's not forget about all the housework, then add to that swim lessons, VBS, library reading program, birthday parties and playdates, I feel like I can't wait for September to get here so I can have a break!!! We haven't really had any pool parties yet and the summer is almost over...currently the pool is being treated for an algae bloom that hit right when we had one of our hottest days. It was such a bummer not being able to use the pool, but it should be ready for swimming soon.

Swim Lessons

Zander is learning to swim with his face in the water.

Natalie can swim really good and even goes off the diving board and swims in the deep end of our pool!

After swimming lessons the kids enjoyed playing in the newly constructed splash park...until Zander slipped and fell and landed on his head.

Here is a video of Hayden jumping into our pool, going under water and then inching his way back to the steps. He did this over and over for about 20 minutes one day last month. Dan and I couldn't believe how brave he was.

Fashion Show

My sister Toni works at Penney's at the mall and asked if Natalie and Zander could model some back-to-school clothes for the children's department. Their cousin Becca was in the fashion show too!!

Here are the cousins

My little models looking so sylish in their back to school clothes.

My 35th Birthday!

Last Thursday was my 35th birthday and I thought it would be fun to go downtown and have lunch at Todai in Pioneer Place.

Here I am practicing my chopstick skills!

This is the REAL reason why I love Todai. Don't get me wrong, the other food is great, but these tiny desserts are a real treat. They even had green tea icecream!

I was also served a mini birthay cake which I shared with everyone. It was just the right size considering how full we were already.

Me and my family on my birthday.

Crazy girls trying to immitate the sea creatures in the window display.

On Friday I had an 80's themed party. My pictures are posted on my Paper Caper's blog if you are interested. Here is the direct link to the 80's party post.

Yesterday we went to the hospital to see Andrea, John and their new baby (11 lbs, 2 oz!).


Me holding Christian for the first time!

Natalie was at a birthday party, but the boys were there and were very interested in the new baby. Zander asked me if we were going to have any more babies...he was really good with his new cousin and would love another sibling, but I think 3 is enough!

...but these tiny feet are ALMOST enough to make me reconsider.

Day out with Thomas

Last Sunday we drove out to see Tomas the Train who was stationed in Hood River. Each of our kids has got to ride on Thomas when they were about 2 years old. The first time when Natalie was 2 1/2 was just 3 days after Zander had his brain surgery. Then when Zander was 2 1/2, I was pregnant with Hayden. This time, instead of the whole family taking the train ride on Thomas, I took Hayden while Dan did all the other activities with the older 2. The price of the tickets to ride were significantly higher than before, so we agreed (although I would have loved for the other kids to come along to) that this would be Hayden's special day!

Hayden was seriously shocked...could it be true? Legos that make Thomas!...He was in train heaven! Next you see him all ready to go as he boards the train.

The kids had lots of fun with their balloon creations. The boys got swords with belts to hold them and Natalie got a unicorn. There were all kinds of fun trains to play with.


Zander and Hayden with Sir Topam Hat.

Looking out at the scenery. When the train started moving, he was so excited "Train moving," he said over and over, until he was distracted by his other favorite thing "TRACTOR, TRACTOR!!!"

He did this pose all on his own...I guess he thought is was pretty cool!

Here they are with Thomas.

Going up to Seattle

We spent the whole next day in the water park. We were even allowed to use the park after we checked out of our room...so we did!

Hayden had a ball splashing everywhere. He couldn't get enough.

We went down all the slides and floated in the wave pool until we were water logged and ready for our next adventure.

Before leaving we checked out "Scoops" a spa just for kids under 12. It was darling! Here is Natalie sitting on the pedicure (ice cream sundae shaped) bench. The boys spent some time in the arcade while Natalie and I picked out our souvenirs. Next stop Seattle...

Dan was able to get a room on trade that was just 2 blocks from the Space Needle...so we walked around a lot.

Not sure what these cool structures are called but they are part of the science exhibit there. We took the Monorail to downtown Seattle and did some shopping.

Here are the kids and I posing on some of the sculptures near the Space Needle.

We spent an afternoon hanging out at Pike's Place Market. Got some fresh berries to enjoy as well as a nice fish and chips meal. Dan also found some cool Scrooge McDuck comic books to add to his collection. The kids love it when he reads them his old comics.

Andy and Taly drove down to spend the afternoon with us. We went up to the top of the Space Needle. That was fun...I haven't done that in years.

I think we had the most fun trying on all the sunglasses in the gift shop!

One night I stepped out and got some great night pictures of the Space Needle.