Hood River Fruit Loop

Mark loves a road trip so we decided to take the girls to Hood River for some apple picking.  Our first stop was the Kiyokawa Family Orchard in Parkdale.  We played on the playground, took a hayride, picked apples, and then had a picnic.  Audrey and Kate and their parents then met us there.  Next we stopped at the Gorge White House where we had some drinks and picked flower bouquets.  It was a beautiful day.

I think the girls ate 4 apples that day.  Could be worse I guess.  

Cora's first day of Preschool

After celebrating with Lily, Audrey, and Kate, Cora was excited for her first day of preschool.  She will be going to Preschool for Little Ones through Portland Parks and Recreation.  Its located at the Peninsula Park Community Center where she will go Monday and Wednesday from 9:30-11:30.  There are eight 2 1/2 year olds in the class with teacher Jessica.

Cora with Teacher Jessica

Cora was so excited to go and was great at drop off.  However after about 45 minutes, she decided she missed me.  She sat with Teacher Jessica to write me a note.  

Lily's starts Kindergarten

Lily started Kindergarten this week at Alameda Elementary School.  Her teacher is Mrs. Davidson, who was Audrey and Kate teacher.  On Friday, Lily got to go to school and see her classroom and meet Mrs. Davidson.  On Monday, Lily went in the afternoon.  On Tuesday, it was a full day and she got to ride the bus and bring her lunchbox (double decker, just like Kate and Audrey she will tell you.)  And for more firsts, Thursday she decided to eat hot lunch because its pizza day.  She says she plays with friends in her class, although she hasn't learned their names yet.  She has been bringing home lots of worksheets with letters, numbers, and coloring.  She is excited to go every day, but that might have more to do with the bus than school.  I feel like she has grown up 10 years in that last week.

The girls rode their bikes to Pip's Doughnuts in the morning, since it was only a half day for Lily.
Lily says its a new tradition.  

First full day

Waiting for the bus.  Zoom in on Lily's face, she is so excited. 

Lily, Audrey and Kate all shared a seat.  

Getting off the bus.
Neighbor Olivia (5th grader) grabbed Lily's jacket.
Thank goodness for neighbors looking out for you.  

Preschool Graduation

Yesterday, Lily graduated from Preschool.  She still has to go for two more weeks, but with the whole school attending, I think they needed to get in the Preschool Graduation early.  Lily was pretty excited.  They got to stay at school for lunch and then the ceremony was at 1pm.  It lasted about 10 minutes.  She immediately came home and took a nap.  It's exhausting being a graduate.

These were the invitations they sent home.

Lily led in the class.  They were told to walk in with their hands down to their sides.  

They made their own graduation caps.  

The class of 2028.  Ahh!

Spring Break Trip to Cannon Beach

We took a day trip to Cannon Beach with the cousins.  They insisted we pack swimsuits, but they were not necessary.  The sun was out but a little but it was windy.  Lily really liked flying Audrey's owl kite.  They also got to feed some sea anemones.  There was a naturalist at Haystack Rock with some barnacles and the girls loved running around feeding them.  For more beach fun, check out Erich's blog:  http://madeinpdx.blogspot.com/2015/03/trip-to-cannon-beach.html

Tulip Festival

We wanted to go visit the tulip fields before we left for Skagway.  We went on Monday so we could enjoy our tulips for a whole week.  The weather was perfect.

Visit with Santa

We headed downtown to see Santa.  The girls got all dressed up and we rode light rail into town.  Lily is always disappointed when we ride Max because no Uncle Jim and no doughnuts.  Lily is quite the pro of the Santa business, but Cora was not a fan of the man in red.

Lily very carefully told Santa what was on her list.  

Lily smiled like an angel, Cora not so much.  

10 seconds after the Santa incident.  She recovered quickly. 

The monorail that Mom use to ride as a kid.  

Lily writing a letter to Santa