Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Staycation with the Clifford Clan
It has been a while and I am way behind. So much has happened in the last few week that I barely even know were to begin. I guess at the beginning...
On June 17th Jeremy's parents and Garret came for a visit. They had their visit planned for months, but we had kept it a secret from Merrick. On the day of, we met them at Panda Express for lunch. They were sitting outside waiting for us and Merrick walked across the parking lot and didn't even see them until Jeff called out for him. Merrick immediately called out to them and ran full speed into grandpa's waiting arms. It took the CC about half a second to warm up and then we spent the rest of the day hanging out, riding bikes, and just being together.
The next day we headed off to the children's museum. As usual, the kids had a blast. The real eventful part was when we left and found a parking ticket on their car even though they had payed for parking. It turns out the registration on their rental car had expired. Despite the hang up, we went on with our day and went berry picking. When we got home though Carolyn called the rental car company to complain. She told them they needed to give her an upgrade, but they said they could not guarantee that. When they delivered the new car that night, however, it was a 7 passenger Dodge Journey which meant we could ride together all weekend long. It was such a blessing. Plus that evening we turned some of our berries into berry cobbler. Life was about as good as it gets.
Friday Jeremy was off and we went to the Mt. Hood Adventure Park. We rode the alpine slide and Merrick was even able to ride by himself (he did a great job), we trampolined, we tubed, we did the batting cages, and we did the aqua rollers. The aqua rollers were like giant, inflatable hamster wheels on water. You would run, fall, flip over, and repeat. We all got thrown around and it was probably one of the top five most fun things I have done in my life (we until the last run when Garret came down and landed on Merrick's head and he ended up with a bit of a black eye).
Saturday we went to the coast. We found 11 sand dollars, took in the car show in Seaside, shopped, rode the carousel, and ate fish and chips. We ended the day by driving to Tillamook for cheese samples and ice cream.
Sunday we went to church in the morning and then braved the 4T's. For those who don't know, that is a trek all through Portland that starts with s 4.5 mile trail that leads to a tram that leads to a trolley that leads to a train. In the end you make a big circle around Portland and end back where you started.
As you can tell we had a LOT of fun and we were really busy. I don't know how we could have packed more into the visit, but it truly was the perfect staycation.
P.S. With so much to still blog about I am afraid this will get lost in the shuffle, but I just wanted to mention that we bought a new car today....Hooray!!!! It is a Honda Pilot and I love it already.
On June 17th Jeremy's parents and Garret came for a visit. They had their visit planned for months, but we had kept it a secret from Merrick. On the day of, we met them at Panda Express for lunch. They were sitting outside waiting for us and Merrick walked across the parking lot and didn't even see them until Jeff called out for him. Merrick immediately called out to them and ran full speed into grandpa's waiting arms. It took the CC about half a second to warm up and then we spent the rest of the day hanging out, riding bikes, and just being together.
The next day we headed off to the children's museum. As usual, the kids had a blast. The real eventful part was when we left and found a parking ticket on their car even though they had payed for parking. It turns out the registration on their rental car had expired. Despite the hang up, we went on with our day and went berry picking. When we got home though Carolyn called the rental car company to complain. She told them they needed to give her an upgrade, but they said they could not guarantee that. When they delivered the new car that night, however, it was a 7 passenger Dodge Journey which meant we could ride together all weekend long. It was such a blessing. Plus that evening we turned some of our berries into berry cobbler. Life was about as good as it gets.
Friday Jeremy was off and we went to the Mt. Hood Adventure Park. We rode the alpine slide and Merrick was even able to ride by himself (he did a great job), we trampolined, we tubed, we did the batting cages, and we did the aqua rollers. The aqua rollers were like giant, inflatable hamster wheels on water. You would run, fall, flip over, and repeat. We all got thrown around and it was probably one of the top five most fun things I have done in my life (we until the last run when Garret came down and landed on Merrick's head and he ended up with a bit of a black eye).
Saturday we went to the coast. We found 11 sand dollars, took in the car show in Seaside, shopped, rode the carousel, and ate fish and chips. We ended the day by driving to Tillamook for cheese samples and ice cream.
Sunday we went to church in the morning and then braved the 4T's. For those who don't know, that is a trek all through Portland that starts with s 4.5 mile trail that leads to a tram that leads to a trolley that leads to a train. In the end you make a big circle around Portland and end back where you started.
As you can tell we had a LOT of fun and we were really busy. I don't know how we could have packed more into the visit, but it truly was the perfect staycation.
P.S. With so much to still blog about I am afraid this will get lost in the shuffle, but I just wanted to mention that we bought a new car today....Hooray!!!! It is a Honda Pilot and I love it already.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Merrick's Preschool Graduation
On Friday Merrick graduated from preschool. This is actually the third time he has graduated from Snickerdoodle Preschool, but this time it is going to stick. He is the reason I started the preschool and I have so enjoyed having him there with me. I feel like I have been given this huge blessing to have been his teacher both at home and at school for the last three years and I am not just a little sad that that chapter has come to a close. I do, however, feel confident in the fact that he is going to take kindergarten by storm and never look back. So to Merrick I say congratulations and, as both your mom and your teacher, I am so proud of you!
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Master Builder
The theme for this week seemed to be Legos. On Tuesday Merrick was pestering me to go do something fun. I just happened to see online that the Lego store was having a free mini model build day and I decided that going would be a win-win. Somehow I didn't really see this as being Carrigan's thing so I called Becca and traded a CC for a Quincy and Colvin and the three boys and I had an adventure.
The wait was long enough that once we got our kits we decided not to stay and build in the store, but to take our kits to go. Merrick set to work on building his parrot the moment we got home. At first he was asking for help, but I really needed to work on dinner so I told him he was on his own until dad got home. He started and soon discovered he could do it on his own, which was really motivating for him. The next thing I knew he had built the whole thing on his own (with the exception of snapping the wings on, which Jeremy helped with when he got home). Merrick has been into Legos for a while, but this was the first model that he built step by step on his own. He was so excited that he has slept with it pretty much every night since. It does not have a name yet though so feel free to weigh in on that important decision.
The Lego theme continued on Thursday when we went to Lego Club at the library. At Lego Club they have thousands and thousands of Legos spread everywhere. They give the kids a topic and let their imaginations run wild. This month's topic was vehicles. Here is Merrick's creation with its description in his own words. P.S. I did take CC to this activity and let me just say that my thought of Lego building not really being her thing was confirmed once again.
The wait was long enough that once we got our kits we decided not to stay and build in the store, but to take our kits to go. Merrick set to work on building his parrot the moment we got home. At first he was asking for help, but I really needed to work on dinner so I told him he was on his own until dad got home. He started and soon discovered he could do it on his own, which was really motivating for him. The next thing I knew he had built the whole thing on his own (with the exception of snapping the wings on, which Jeremy helped with when he got home). Merrick has been into Legos for a while, but this was the first model that he built step by step on his own. He was so excited that he has slept with it pretty much every night since. It does not have a name yet though so feel free to weigh in on that important decision.
The Lego theme continued on Thursday when we went to Lego Club at the library. At Lego Club they have thousands and thousands of Legos spread everywhere. They give the kids a topic and let their imaginations run wild. This month's topic was vehicles. Here is Merrick's creation with its description in his own words. P.S. I did take CC to this activity and let me just say that my thought of Lego building not really being her thing was confirmed once again.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Pre-Summer
Let me just say that there are good things and bad things about Facebook. This time of the year, when all my friends in Arizona are already out of school for the summer and we still have weeks left, Facebook can be a bit depressing (although I relish in it when they all head back to school and we still have lots of summer vacation left). In any case, we still have two weeks left of school. I am doing my best to keep my head in the game, but it is getting hard, really hard.
Thankfully, we had Memorial day on Monday and have had some extra time to get out and do some fun things. We have also been trying to squeeze fun in to every spare moment here and there. Over the last week we have been on several bike rides, been to the park a few times, played some soccer, gone to the skate park and been to the pool twice. I was looking over some of the pictures I took this week and I continue to be in awe of this beautiful place we live. I guess when all my Arizona peeps are out enjoying summer (in the heat), I can take solace in the fact that we may still have school, but when we do get to get out, it is into this.
Thankfully, we had Memorial day on Monday and have had some extra time to get out and do some fun things. We have also been trying to squeeze fun in to every spare moment here and there. Over the last week we have been on several bike rides, been to the park a few times, played some soccer, gone to the skate park and been to the pool twice. I was looking over some of the pictures I took this week and I continue to be in awe of this beautiful place we live. I guess when all my Arizona peeps are out enjoying summer (in the heat), I can take solace in the fact that we may still have school, but when we do get to get out, it is into this.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
I Do It Self
I have noticed a trend over the last little while that my baby girl is becoming less of a baby and more of a girl. On her second birthday she learned to say that she was two and now it is not uncommon for her to say "I two" or "I two now". This is often proceeded by her being asked how she is doing. And since she is two now another common phrase we here around here is "I do it self". Whether it is buckling her own car seat or putting on her own shoes and socks, she is anxious to do it by herself.
Unfortunately for Carrigan, while she thinks she is "big enough to hunt bears with a switch," her little learning body tends to be a bit of a limitation. Fortunately for Carrigan, she has a brother who is willing to step in and help. Case in point, this week CC decided she wanted to roll in the trash can which is several times her size, but when she failed Merrick stepped in and helped her and they "did it self" together.
I am so thankful for CC's unstoppable spirit and for Merrick's helpful nature. Together they make a great team.
Unfortunately for Carrigan, while she thinks she is "big enough to hunt bears with a switch," her little learning body tends to be a bit of a limitation. Fortunately for Carrigan, she has a brother who is willing to step in and help. Case in point, this week CC decided she wanted to roll in the trash can which is several times her size, but when she failed Merrick stepped in and helped her and they "did it self" together.
I am so thankful for CC's unstoppable spirit and for Merrick's helpful nature. Together they make a great team.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Kindergarten Round-Up
In the spirit of full disclosure, let me say that the subject of this weeks blog, Merrick's kindergarten round-up, actually took place a week and a half ago. I elected not to include it in last week's blog because I thought both that Carrigan deserved her own birthday blog and that said blog was lengthy enough without adding in any other topics.
In any case, a short while ago, Merrick had his kindergarten round-up. The afternoon started in the gym where we met the principal and learned a bit about the school. Then Merrick got to go with a real kindergarten teacher to a real kindergarten class and do real kindergarten things, while I stayed behind for the boring stuff (it actually was not boring at all learning that your kid is heading to a really great school in the best district in the state).
After all the learning was said and done, we went on a bus ride. In foreshadowing of days to come, Merrick took off with his friends and left me behind. I should start bracing myself now for the first day of school when he takes off and leaves me behind in a blubbery mess.
Many of you may know that last year I seriously considered sending Merrick to kindergarten early as he only missed the cutoff by 5 days, but in the end decided to keep him home one more year. The funny thing is I think I felt more prepared to send him last year than this year. I guess it is because last year it was my choice to send him, but this year, whether I am ready or not (and I am more not), he needs to go. So here is to my baby, growing up and taking on the world of kindergarten.
In any case, a short while ago, Merrick had his kindergarten round-up. The afternoon started in the gym where we met the principal and learned a bit about the school. Then Merrick got to go with a real kindergarten teacher to a real kindergarten class and do real kindergarten things, while I stayed behind for the boring stuff (it actually was not boring at all learning that your kid is heading to a really great school in the best district in the state).
After all the learning was said and done, we went on a bus ride. In foreshadowing of days to come, Merrick took off with his friends and left me behind. I should start bracing myself now for the first day of school when he takes off and leaves me behind in a blubbery mess.
Many of you may know that last year I seriously considered sending Merrick to kindergarten early as he only missed the cutoff by 5 days, but in the end decided to keep him home one more year. The funny thing is I think I felt more prepared to send him last year than this year. I guess it is because last year it was my choice to send him, but this year, whether I am ready or not (and I am more not), he needs to go. So here is to my baby, growing up and taking on the world of kindergarten.
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