First Soccer Camp (First of many to come!)

Adidas puts on a soccer camp each summer for employee's children.  It is for kids 8 and older, but KJ knows the right people  to ask to get 6 year old Carson in the group.  He really held his own and loved every minute of it.  He was looking forward to it so much, that on the first day when his mommy dropped him off, he didn't even turn around to wave......  she was a bit saddened by that, but realized her son is growing up.  Because it was held right there where she works, she could check on him and eat lunch with him every day.  He did have the choice of eating with the kids or with his mom -- he chose his MOM!

 

 

One of the other moms was checking on her child, and saw Carson re-applying sunscreen (it was a very hot week), and he wanted to do it all by himself.  She snapped this photo of him and sent it to Kristin.

GREAT JOB CAR-BOY! 

 WAY TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM ALL THAT SUNSHINE!

They even got go to on a field trip one day to the Portland TIMBERS soccer facility and tour their locker room.  Carson got an autograph of one of the players on his shin guard!  Doesn't get much better than that for a little guy who wants to be a professional soccer player when he grows up. 



Kid's Art Show - Sauvie Island

This year the kid's art show had the theme "Kid-chella"  (a play on words from Cochella that art and music festival in California).  It had kind of a hippie flare to it, hence all the kids made headbands at school to wear.  I was able to quickly snap this photo of the kids before they were off and running -- and I mean running! Wherever there is a grassy field, Carson grabs his soccer ball to take along, too. 

It was a gloriously warm, sunny day at the Kruger Farm on Sauvie Island, and their art work was beautifully displayed around the field and picnic area.  So much work went into putting on this show for the children and their families.  The two main teachers/owners of the school have said that alumni can come back, and Ruby announced that she was planning on coming back year after year! 

 

 

Since this was their last week of school, Carson and Ruby painted mugs for Jamie and Val (the head teachers).  Here they are presenting them with the gifts.  

 

Ruby immediately found her BFF, who just happened to be dressed like her in a flowered sun dress with matching headbands.  Ruby and Khaki were two peas in the pod the entire time.  

 

I asked Ruby to go around with me and point out her art work.  

 

Here is a painting that Ruby did of her and Khaki.

 

You can see how beautifully laid out the children's art work was for us to see.  And you can see what a lovely day we had for the event -- it started at 5:00 and we didn't leave till 9:00 PM.  

 

One of Carson's favorite teachers was Sanderson (that's his first name!)  Carson made this art piece at home and brought it to the art show to give Sanderson.  (and boy was Carson proud of it!)  It was Carson and Sanderson together -- Carson said "I'm the little one!"  

Sanderson was in charge of the photo booth where kids could get their pictures taken with a Polaroid camera -- something many of the children hadn't seen before. 

Here Carson, Khaki, Ruby and Zephyr are joining in for a photo.  

Of course they all had to put their heads together to watch the photo magically appear!  

 

And the girls were off........

 

It was actually difficult to get many pictures of Carson because he was running and playing so much.  Here is he showing off his Irish flag pictures.  He did about 25 of those photos -- don't know why he did so many, but he must have enjoyed the colors. 

 

This older brother of one of the kids was so good to let Carson climb all over him.  

 

Lots of self-portraits.   

 

 

Instead of face painting this year, they had what they called a "tattoo and hair bar".  They could select from many different temporary tattoos and hair "things".  Ruby chose several feathers and some ribbons for her hair.  She and Khaki got matching arm tats.  

It's a farm -- must be hay rides!  Kristin was a good sport and went with the three kids on the hay ride.  Carson is behind them.  

 

A few more self portraits.  Ruby did both of these.  

 

 

 

The farm also has pick your own flowers (and all kinds of berries).  Here we are going up and down the flower rows.  

Ruby found a snapdragon flower and wanted to show Khaki how to make it snap  (something I taught the twins in Palm Springs with the snapdragons).  

Quick -- grab Carson for a photo before he takes off!  

Carson found the tattoo and hair bar too -- and boy was he happy with the hair decorations! 

Ruby couldn't resist trying out  this megaphone! 

 

Before going home we found Val and Jamie for some last photos.  



Thank you Val and Jamie for all the thought, preparation, love and work that went into your second annual art show.  It was wonderful -- and made lots of great memories for everyone.  You have been such a huge blessing to these sweet twins -- and given them a great foundation from which to spring forward.  You will be missed, but forever remembered! 

 

 

The kids completely wore themselves out at the art show (and the kids birthday party that happened in the morning of the same day).  Kristin said Ruby slept till 8:30 and Carson till 9:30 AM on Sunday.  I think that might be a record!  

Dear Tooth Fairy!

FIRST DAY OF DAY CAMP!

 

Today is their first day of camp -- http://willowbrookartscamp.org/ -- WILLOWBROOK CAMP in Tualatin.  Oh my, they are growing up too fast for me.  I love they are growing and developing new skills and having great adventures -- but I want to keep them young/small forever.  (not really, but sometimes I can hardly believe they are going into first grade soon).  In case you are wondering -- those are not bruises on Ruby's body -- they attended a b.day party yesterday and I guess they could put on as many temporary tattoos as they wanted -- and she wanted! ! ! !  

Last Day of PDX School.

Oh my goodness -- can't even begin to believe today was their last day of attending PDX school (http://pdxedschool.org/) they have been there 3 wonderful years -- since it first opened.  They have been so loved and wonderfully cared for by Jamie and Val (and a host of other teachers).   They have both come into themselves and blossomed into more confident, self assured, happy, creative young kids. 

FIRST GRADE HERE WE COME -- READY OR NOT! 

 

FIRST CAMPING TRIP -- WITH GRANDMA CARRIE AND GRANDPA RAY

All loaded up, pulling the boat, and heading out to Crane Prairie Camp Grounds in Central OR. 

Casey and his sister, Lindsey, went camping as children, and now Carson and Ruby are learning all about it too. 

 

 

Stopping at Detroit Lake for lunch (but all they serve is breakfast!).  That doesn't stop these kids from chowing down -- look at those full plates -- and they cleaned them right up



 

What could be better than sleeping in a real tent in the real out of doors -- not just your own back yard! 

 

First on the agenda -- a hike. 

 Out front and leading the way.  This boy has so much energy!

 

Looking over all the loot from their hike!  



 

Collecting pine cones for the camp fire.  

 

Taking a quiet moment to do some out-of-doors art projects. 

 

Then on to the best part -- fishing from Grandpa Ray's boat. 



 

They could hardly wait to get their hands on those live worms! 

 

But sometimes it can get a bit boring if the fish aren't biting. 

Grandpa -- I GOT ONE! 

 

He sure did.  Now this is getting much more fun!  

 

And you can say you are a real fisherman when you have fish blood on your face!  He was proud of that.  

The end of a perfect day --

Smores of course around the camp fire with friends.