Horsetail Falls

On a beautiful fall Sunday, we went hiking in the Columbia Gorge.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins

We took two trips to the pumpkin patch this year.  Lily really wanted to go to a corn maze too.  So we went to Sauvie's Island first.  We did the corn maze, saw some animals, rode the hayride out to get pumpkins, and then had elephant ears.  We got 9 pumpkins on that trip.

Then Cora got to go on her first school field trip to the pumpkin patch.  Mom and Dad got to go to.  There were a lot of animals to see - cows, horses, dogs, pigs, and baby chicks.  There was a slide too.  She got to learn how apple cider was made and taste some.  Then we each picked a pumpkin out to take home.  Oh, and we got apple cider doughnuts to take home.  

The littlest pumpkin

The biggest pumpkin

And its Cora's turn: Starting Preschool at Heartwood

Cora has been hearing a lot about teacher Amy and teacher Karma from Audrey and Kate.  Past students and parents around the neighborhood were so excited for Cora to start.  Since its all new to us, we were not quite as excited.  Cora looks happy in these photos, but cried a lot at drop off.  But teacher Amy called 30 minutes later to say she was doing great.  And the next day at drop off, she was so happy and excited.  You can see some great photos on the Heartwood Preschool site on Facebook.

First Grade: Here comes Lily

Lily was all smiles as she started 1st grade this year.  She learned so much in Kindergarten, that starting First Grade was a piece of cake.  

Lily's Kindergarten Concert and Open House

It is hard to believe that Lily is about to finish her first year in elementary school.  Tonight we got to go to the Kindergarten concert and then to her classroom to see everything she has been working on.  Lily was very excited for us to see her school projects.  This morning when getting on the bus, she waved goodbye and then said she would see me at the concert, but I reminded her to come home on the bus after school and then we would go back.  She sure has grown up a lot this year.  Apologies for the camera work.  My assistant kept hanging on my arm.

She tells me this is an oil pastel.  

She is most proud of her report on an oviparous animal.  That's an animal that lays eggs of course.  Every student picked a different animal.  She picked a snake.  She got to make one out of clay and then paint it.  

The snake lives in the grass, eats rats, has scales, and lays its eggs in a pile in the dirt.  

A self portrait.  She is sad because she is falling down.  The artist could not explain more.  

This is a painting of her bedroom.  Two beds, one for her and one for Cora.  Lily is standing in the middle with a mirror.  

Very colorful and some impressive weaving.  It is not a spider web told the artist to her mother.   

A stuffed felt duck that was cut, stuffed and sewn by Lily.  

Something with foil and paint.  

Lily turns 6!

Being in Kindergarten, turning 6 is a big deal.  Lily's first celebration was a Ladybug Walk with her friends.  Lily won a Ladybug walk through Portland Parks and Rec from a photo contest.  Lily invited all the girls from her class and Audrey, Kate, and Cora.  They walked around Wilshire Park with the Naturalist for an hour, then had snacks, made bug catchers, and then had cupcakes.  Wednesday was late start so I took the big girls to Pips for Birthday doughnuts.  Then on her real birthday, Cora and I went to have lunch with her at school.  Then we had a special birthday snack after school with the cousins, followed by the family party.  About 6 parties for turning 6!

Checking out the cool ladybug backpacks the Chrissy, the naturalist, brought.

Waiting for donuts at Pips.  

Lily wanted funfetti cupcakes for her friends and chocolate cake for her family.  

Cora helped me set the table for the family party.  

Lunch in the Alameda Cafeteria.  Lily got to wear this crown all day.  

Birthday snack time

Cora's Preschool Graduation

Cora graduated from preschool today.  Well kind of.  She still gets to go to 2 years of preschool next year.  This year, she attended Preschool for Little Ones at Peninsular Park Community Center through Portland Parks and Recreation.  She was in a class of 8 kids, who were all 2.5 at the start.  Now they are big 3 year olds.  Teacher Jessica was the highlight for Cora.  Jessica was very creative and artistic.  Cora was mild about preschool, but she loved Teacher Jessica so she always wanted to go.

The famous Teacher Jessica

After the ceremony Cora needed to test her wings in the rose garden.  

Lily couldn't make the graduation ceremony because of Kindergarten, but they dressed alike on this important day.