Sleeping Cutie

Do I even need to say anything?

Cayden's Art Class

Cayden is taking an art class and yesterday he made a project that I think turned out really well. They are pears in case you couldn't identify them.

More weekend

If you ask Bryce, "Who's big?" He will answer "momma". Really?


A picture of me and Cayden taken by Bryce and Jeff.

Portland

My mom came to Portland for the weekend so we went up there to spend some time as a family. We were excited to find that our hotel was next right to the new Cirque du Soleil show. Everyone loved it and we were pleased that Bryce made it through all but twenty minutes. We also went to the zoo and Hoyt Arboreteum (a big park with lots of walking trails). Here are some pictures from our weekend.


Bryce hugging a tree


Cayden and Nana hugging a tree



Cayden and Nana at the covered bridge at the zoo

Jeff and Bryce at the zoo

Cayden in his elephant hat that Aunt Chris and the girls sent. It was Packy the Elephant's 48th Birthday when we were there.

And, Bryce too now!

Bryce was being naughty the other night when we were out and I asked him if he wanted to go home with a BABYSITTER and he said, "I want a baby sister" and he looked at me with wide and happy eyes. But, my answer to that was "NO".

What did you say?

Last week I was taking Cayden to piano lessons and this gives us 30 minutes in the car each way. Most of the time we chat about the day or have random conversation. Last week, however, out of left field he says, "Mom, how come we don't go to church?" And I say (buying time so I can figure out an answer), "Why do you ask?" He talks for awhile about his friends that go to church and about what he learned when he was in Christian School Kindergarten, etc... I slyly think that I am off the hook when he asks, "So, why don't we go to church?" Me: "Ummmm...." And then I ask, "Is there a reason you want to go to church?" Cayden then says, "I would like to talk to God." Fair enough. I proceeded to tell him that lots of people talk to God all day long whether they are in church or not. He then wants to know HOW you talk to God and I say, "you just have to open your heart and be willing to listen to what he has to say." Now, I am thinking this is a darn good answer and I am reveling in my abilities as a mother when he says, "Yeah, I tried that and all I heard was my head." And, I started laughing ALOT. I wanted to say to him that I'm sure that happens to most people but I couldn't stop giggling.

March Madness

Cayden filled out his NCAA bracket the morning it was due. He kept track of his succesful teams and when Duke was the final winner, Cayden ended up in second place in the high school bracket pool. Second place brought him a much anticipated $20. He would have earned $37 but there was a tie for first place. Don't tell him about the $37 though! He can't wait to go to Target this weekend to spend his money. Bryce decided he wanted to be in this picture too even though he won't be getting anything new at Target.

Potato Guy

Both of my boys have loved Mr. Potato head. At our house he is lovingly referred to as "potato guy". Cayden has a great picture wearing potato guy's glasses. Now, we have Bryce with a moustache.

The Golden Egg

He stood still for me for a minute!
The Easter Bunny on a Lawnmower

And, they're off

Bryce found the Golden Egg

So happy

Not so happy

We were fortunate to be invited to an Easter Egg Hunt at a friend's house on Saturday. The weather was cold but not unbearable. There were plenty of eggs for everyone and the Easter Bunny even made a token appearance. Bryce even found the Golden Egg and got a special prize.

I DO IT

These are Bryce's favorite words! We have learned to let him "do it" on his own as much as we can or wait until he asks for help. Dying Easter Eggs was no different. Cayden wanted to give each of his eggs three colors and was busy being artistic while we had our hands full preventing Bryce from destroying the rest of the eggs. He wanted to dip them, take them out, put them in the container. Fortunately, Jeff doesn't mind eating deviled eggs with a little bit of color and only the yellow dye got knocked over.

Pudding!

Bryce loves to help in the kitchen. Anytime you are making something he pushes over a chair and wants to help. He does a pretty good job stirring and adding ingredients! I decided I would make pudding with him one night because he was driving everyone crazy and he needed an activity to keep him busy. He loved the measuring and mixing and loved eating it afterwards.

1st Grade Science Fair

Cayden has a student teacher this year and has loved every minute of having Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher loves science and organized the first graders to do science fair projects over Spring Break. Cayden, of course, bypassed the suggestions from Mr. Fletcher and asked if he could do an exploding volcano. Then, when he told his dad, his dad said, "I think you should do two volcanoes so that you can show how they are different." And, here we go....

Cayden talking to his classmates about his two volcanoes (composite and shield).

And, there goes the shield volcano thanks to vinegar, baking soda, soap, and food coloring.

Jeff and Cayden hooked up the composite volcano to the Stomp Rocket. When Cayden stomped, flour, oatmeal, rice krispies, and popcorn flew in the air. The kids, and adults, loved it.

This is the construction stage. Cayden and I paper mache'd the volcanos while Jeff was in Salt Lake City. Cayden is goofing around pretending to run away from an exploding volcano. Quite funny.

Proud Cayden! And, yes, all that goop did come off the table :)