O.K.'s New Classes

Well, not at a school-school, but Oscar's keeping busy. On Tuesdays, he goes to Jay Sand's All Around this World music class where he listens to and sings songs from different parts of the world (John hasn't taken a picture for me yet). Then on Thursdays, he goes to Zoom Dance class where he gets opportunities to dance around, listen to a story, and then act out parts of the story through movement.

Here he is with his teacher, Rachel. John said at one point today Oscar was supposed to move around like his favorite animal. When I asked Oscar what animal he pretended to be, he replied, "An ostrich!".

My "Kids"

I don't often post pictures of my third graders (for obvious reasons), but we have been making collages that share a little about ourselves (in the shape of a planet--a.k.a. a circle--to go along with a solar system theme). Anyway, our "personal planets" will hang on our door for Back-to-School Night. I took a picture of each child to add to the top of their planet (like they are standing on it). I'm sort of known for painstakingly cutting out each child's picture, and I have to say, it takes some time. But I love how they look all cut out and in their own self-chosen poses (this time many included a flag, you know, like the astronauts on the moon). Plus, they kind of take me back to my paper doll days. Anyway, here are a few:

I'm sure you can tell they are a bunch of characters, AND that I think--in spite of how exhausted I am at the end of the day--that they are pretty great.

That Stuff You Eat On

We are now the happy owners of these:

The GG Macy's dishes. 

They are lovely, and as you can see, fit right in. We were actually in need of some new [to us] dishes, so I am glad that for once my sentimental and practical sides have managed to come together.

Thank you, Sherry and Pop, for packing them up and sending them all this way to us!

Thanks, Gus, Bailey, Addison, Marissa, Cassidy, and Paul!

Look what came in the mail recently:

A Gus-inspired t-shirt with pictures drawn by the Anderson cousins of things O.K. loves (an excavator, a front loader, a garbage truck and a bulldozer). He has enjoyed showing folks the pictures when they ask. I've enjoyed getting to say his cousins and his Gus made it for him.

Summer's End

A few quick pics, just to let you know what we've been up to (when we aren't busy getting the day-to-day done):

Checking out our friend, Amy's, art.

Snacking on the BEST doughnuts

and petting chicks at the Amish Festival.

Visiting sweet baby Anju and her mama.

Spontaneous eating out.

Park-playing.

 Visiting the Please Touch Museum where Oscar

 worked the excavator (a first!),

 "drove" the car,

and (another first) rode an up-and-down pig on the carousel.

Summer, you've been great. See you again next year!

Twin Rocks and Heading Home (Week #2)

As you now know, I took a lot of pictures during our trip, and, as I'm sure you've noted, it is hard for me to narrow them down to only a few (it was a FULL trip, after all!). Space is not so much an issue, so I'm going to continue to include all the pictures I want, without further excuse for my sentimentality.

We went a little early on Sunday with John, Erin, and Sage so we could see this sweet family: Cousin Derrin, Andra, and their cute hunk of a kid, Kennady.

 Kennady and Oscar (and those Twin Rocks)

 Escaping our make-shift tent.

Derrin, Uncle John, O.K., and John head for the water.

 Then Gum and Gus, Uncle Pete and Aunt Linsey, and the Anderson 7 arrived. 

So ensued all kinds of fun.

 City-building in the sand,

 cooking,

 eating and snacking,

 early morning beach-walking (courtesy of our little early-riser),

 playing music

 (including a Justin Bieber sing-along featuring a rapping Marissa),

 hanging around the house,

 getting in the water,

 reading on the beach in this awesome tarpy-tent

 (and a little in the sun),

 playing in the sand,

 tether-ball and other game-playing,

and taking cute pictures.

The day we left, we all went to Cannon Beach for lunch and a bit of shopping (think Bruce's Candy Kitchen!).

 The Andersons rented these fun sandbikes. They biked down to Haystack Rock, but on their return most of us took a spin as well. So fun!

Oscar was more interested in how the bike worked than in riding the bike himself.

And then, the worst part, we had to say good-bye. Not even a giant bag of cantaloupe Jelly Bellies could make that less sad.

 Before we knew it, we were back at Nana's for a tasty dinner and a bit of relaxing before our long traveling day. Grayson even came over!

And then Oscar was back in the carseat stroller as we navigated three airports, two planes, and a taxi back to our home. Oregon (and all of the family and friends we love so much), we will see you again next year!

Lil' Ol' Newberg (Week #2)

After we left Nana's house, we drove out to Gus and Gum's house in Newberg.

We visited both of them at work.

We ate Thai food and ice cream with Grandma.

We spent time playing with our sweet niece, Sage.

Aunt Erin and Sage
(Warning: This post includes lots of pics of this kid. I'm sure I don't have to explain why.)

We found an amazing park full of sand and TRUCKS with all of the aunts and uncles, and of course

little Sage!

 O.K. couldn't have been happier.

We barbequed at John and Erin's.

I'm pretty sure we kept Grandma out past her bedtime.

 We took part in Newberg's Old Fashioned Festival, walking the booths, eating "fair food" (have you ever had apple pie fries?), and watching the fireworks out in the old middle school football field. At the Old Fashioned Festival parade, Oscar got pretty good at gathering up the candy thrown by the parading folks.

Of course, Uncle John helped, both with the candy-gathering and the eating. 

After a fun few days, we headed for the beach with the aunts and uncles, and Gum and Gus. Happily, the Anderson 7 met up with us there.