Poolside

Gailyn, the kiddos, and I have been hangin' out poolside in the backyard for the last month or so. "Poolside" involves one of those under $10, plastic, aquatic themed pools you can purchase at any major Target-type store. More recently, we've incorporated a variety of sprinklers and hoses.

Now all we need are fruity, alcoholic drinks with umbrellas and monkeys in 'em.

Festivities

Anders and Jorja are 2! Two! But before I get ahead of myself with the whole Anders and Jorja's 2nd B-day Bash topic, I want to share a few pics from our adventures last weekend. In the span of two days, the kiddos marched in a parade, acquired a set of tattoos, bounced in a large, inflatable castle, and rode Thomas the Train.

On Saturday, Anders, Jorja, Tasya, Scout and I met Gailyn and her Tae Kwon Do troupe. We snuck in as parade participants -- despite our lack of proper Tae Kwon Do garb.

On our way to the parade staging area -- where we spent a good 45 minutes waiting and waiting and waiting...for our marching debut.



Scout smiling (or something along those lines) in anticipation of her first parade participant experience.



Anders, with a mouth full of mango, relaxing in the wagon.



Jorja, also with a mouth full of mango, ready to roll.



Gailyn taking a moment to hang with the kiddos.



On Sunday, Gailyn, Anders, Jorja, Tiff, Joe, Jackson, Brain, Cashell and I headed to a Day Out with Thomas the Train adventure. 3 adults vs. 6 children (ages 6, 3, 2, 2, 20 months, and 3 months). All of that with 0 strollers. Whew.

Anders and his first tattoo.



Jorja and her first tattoo.



On the train: Gailyn, Jorja, Jackson, and Joe. Off the train: Me, Tiff, Anders, Brian, and Cashell. There were so many of us we had to ride this train in two installments.

Park Time

Gailyn, Anders, Jorja, Chloe, and I headed over to our just down the street park this morning -- a park in progress since June of 2008 -- but an expansive, exciting space that borders our neighborhood organic farm none-the-less.

Jorja and Chloe lookin' vaguely similar.



Lovin' Jorja.



Gailyn teaching Anders the ins and outs of the Chuckit! ball thrower.



Anders putting these ins and outs to use.



Inspecting (and eventually caving in) an ant-hill. Pay no attention to my hair.



The clan on their way to mowing over the photographer (that would be me).

What to do in 90+ Degree Weather?

I don't know about the rest of you, but here's what Anders and Jorja do.

Chew on drum sticks while standing on the drum.





Perfect rock-star facial expressions while pounding on the drum as HARD as possible.



Perfect rock-star hairdos while pounding on the drum as HARD as possible.



Dance on the dining room table.

Running on Dirt

Memorial Day weekend found the Perrin Clan in Portland for an extended visit with family and friends. Despite waking up at 5:30am, rarely napping, and refusing to eat vegetables and most fruit, the kiddos managed to enjoy several outings -- including a venture to Forest Park to manage my cheering squad as I (along with Annie, Denni, and Kari) participated in a 10k trail run. I'm not sure which I appreciated more -- the peacefulness of the forested trails or the stories about the kiddos zooming around (i.e. picking-up the course cones, climbing up and over picnic tables, engaging in "big kid" Frisbee play, etc.) while waiting for me to hurry up and finish.

Where's Mama?



Mama coming in First! (Alright, not first, but a close 33rd or whatever the website results claimed...)



Post-race weight lifting.

Beet Juice

I've been juicing vegetables for the past six months or so. I often prepare and consume these juices with the kiddos by my side. On a couple of occasions, one or both of them have suspiciously accepted a taste or two. And then, one afternoon with beet, beet green, cucumber, carrot, and lemon juice in hand, Jorja discovered a new favorite drink (and the joys of body painting).

Zoo Crew

I'm not sure who loves the zoo more -- me, Gailyn, Anders, Jorja, or the hoards of visitors that flood the zoo on sunny weekends -- but we find ourselves visiting nearly every week -- including this past weekend.

Anders and Jorja sitting in the stroller for a quick snack break outside the Tropical Rainforest Loop. The adults were able to enjoy a snack break as well at the Coffee and Chocolate Festival that happened to be in progress.

Stroller Snooze

After an afternoon of hanging out with Tyler and Scout followed by a non-sleeping "nap", I buckled the kiddos into the jogger for a spin around the neighborhood. Within a few minutes both were sound asleep. I'm still waiting for someone to zip me around in a jogger with suspended seats, a sunshade, reading material, snacks within hands-reach, and permission to snooze as I please. Anyone?

Apparently...

Anders and Jorja have learned to "smile" for the camera. Over the last several days, both kiddos have created these amazingly hilarious on-demand smiles whenever the camera makes an appearance.

I can't say that I've ever seen Anders "smile" quite like this.



Post-spaghetti dinner "smile".

Bunch O' Bunnies

In addition to the Easter Egg Hunt on tennis courts at our local community center, a trip to the library, and an Easter morning journey through the Children's Museum, there've been more bunny-centered developments this Easter weekend.

Anders turned into a bunny.



And Jorja feel in love with two by the names of Patsy and Cline. Nice, huh?