Swimming Lessons: Week 1

Here is a "movie mix" from this week of swim lessons! They have already made lots of progress! Plus they are having fun and that's what really matters! At the end of next week I will update with their progress one more time!

Picking Strawberries!

Today we headed out to pick some strawberry's. I was determined to make some Freezer jam this year. So Poppa, Grandma Jo and Uncle Eric met us at our house after swim lessons today and we headed out. As we were driving towards Lebanon to the field we drove right into a rain storm. Luckily by the time we were walking out to the field the rain had stopped and it started to get a little muggy, gotta love this weird Oregon weather! So we headed out and got picking!

The kids were not too sure about it at first but after a little bit really got going!


We filled 2 buckets full, which at the time did not seem like that much, it turned out to be 11.25 pounds!

We got the berry's transferred to the bowls I brought and loaded them in the car. Poppa wanted to get a picture of the kids with them, and at first Dylan didn't want to but Ally jumps up and says, "Where do you want me?"

Finally Dylan leaned over the seat and we got a picture with the both of them.

It was such a fun relaxing thing to do! I can't wait to go next year!

Zoo!!!

Today we headed up for our favorite day at the zoo, $2.00 Tuesday! I knew that most public schools were not out for the summer yet so I was thinking this will be a great day to go, busy, but not too busy. WOW, was I wrong! There were countless numbers of schools on end of the year fields trips. It was INSANE! After we got through the long line and in there was more room to breathe and move as people dispersed in different directions. So we headed down our usual path, making our way through The Great Northwest, passing by the Mountain Goat, Bobcats and Black Bears, then winding our way down towards Eagle Canyon. My kids posed as baby Eagles for me!

As we continued on the trail I snapped a picture of my slave labor, aka, my brother.

The kids paused to take in the faux fish swimming up-stream, being silly like usual.

Next up was the hollowed out log you can climb through, one of the kids favorite things to do.

We continued on down through the fish tanks,

past the turtles,

and also had a little peek at a snake, eek!

At the bottom of Eagle Canyon we tried to see the cougar but he was hiding. On our way to see the Black Bears again the kids found a little "nature path" and decided to meander over the hill.

We went over to look at the Black Bears again and EVERYTIME we have gone they are pacing over to the window and then back, and again, and again, and again!

The kids love to watch them and it is always cool when you get to see the animals about and moving around.

Next came the Trillium Creek Family Farm,

this time when we went, there were calves

and a baby pig! It was getting closer to lunch so we decided we would try and head through the Bears and then over to the big field by the Elephants for lunch. What a disappointment, we didn't see any bears!! So off we went to have some lunch. We grabbed a nice piece of grass right in the middle of the field and met up with some great friends, Jessica and her family and Jen and her girls. As we were finishing up lunch they were starting the Birds of Prey show so we watched as birds flew overhead entranced by their beauty. One of the birds we saw was a Turkey Vulture. Well, he decided that he wasn't particularly in the mood to fly over and land on the platform behind us, so instead he landed on the grass, right behind us!

It was awesome! After finishing up with lunch and bidding good-bye to friends, we headed up to see the baby elephant. It was rather anti-climactic. Since there were so many people around the kids got about a 2 second peek each as we lifted them up so they could peer over the heads of all the other people straining to catch a glimpse. We backed out of there and made our way down to Africa! The first stop was the Rhino's. They were no where to be seen. Okay, moving on. Next along the path was the Hippo's, they were laying out sunbathing and napping, using rocks for pillows.

Next came the zebra's

followed by the giraffe.

One last stop along this path had us peering at Bat's.

Ally had hit her wall and had climbed up in the stroller pushed by Uncle but Dylan was fascinated with the bats, "Why are they upside down?" So I tried to explain with my limited Mommy knowledge, hopefully some of what I said was right?? We decided to try and cram one more stop in, even though Ally was done, so we headed over to Pacific Shores. There the Sea Lions were! Swimming in their circle pattern making little adjustments here and there each lap, so as not to run into each other. They swam right past the glass tummies to the window.

Dylan loved it! Ally was grouchy in the stroller.

Finally we headed towards the exit pausing once to see the Tiger and one last time to see the train take off. Then it was up the hill. We got one last peek at the Mountain Goats,

then went to squish our souvenir penny's. Finally out to the car and onto home. It is always an adventure when we go to the zoo, this time it was a zoo at the zoo!

Dizzy

This picture makes me feel dizzy!

A Beautiful Bird

Today we went to the Duck Park, not to be confused with the Brown Park, The Far Park, Mrs McKenzie's Park, or Mrs Jennifer's park. We originally went to feed the ducks the old bread we had been saving. Then out of no where there was a Blue Heron. He was beautiful! Dylan really enjoyed watching him as much as I did, Ally not so much. I convinced the kids to run home and get the camera praying all the way he would still be there when we got back! HE WAS!!! He had just moved down the creek to a quieter place. So we went over to watch him as he intently stared into the water looking for some lunch.

We didn't get to see him get anything though. He was nice enough to stay in the background for a picture with the kids though!

Dylan could have watched him longer but Ally really wanted to head over to the playground. After playing though we did stop by one more time to tell him goodbye!