Claire's Preschool Graduation

This past year, a few of my friends and I took turns teaching a preschool curriculum with an eye toward kindergarten readiness for the older ones. We held a graduation for Claire and Karlee, who are both entering kindergarten, but I made little diplomas for everyone for peace's sake and we had cupcakes to celebrate.

 I took this before she was ready while she was coughing--Sophie is allergic to many tree pollens (and we live in Oregon...).

 Okay, ready with the million dollar smile.

 Claire and Karlee

 My Smartie Girl, in an outfit designed by herself. Photobomb supplied by adoring little sister.

 Claire carefully observes the cutting of the cupcakes to make sure Kristy isn't shorting her.

 Soap and Kiya created an auxiliary party in the corner.

 Eloise was there too and she wore shoes for the occasion!

 Amalyn thought that was some delicious frosting. She looked like George Albert Smith!

 Soap is becoming famous for her angelic curls. Wonder if they'll last?

 Cheese Ball.

 Crawling like Mayasaurs.

Running like maniacs.

May Hikes

 Along Davies Road in the OSU Research Forest. We probably hike seven or eight miles a week--basically running to the forest each time we are all together and it's remotely dry--but I took pictures this time as a representation of how we roll these days.

 Sophie holds my hand because it's suddenly a "Spooky Forest"--there could be elephants ya know.

 Dad and Eloise are often a team.

 Claire finds walking sticks which need to be abandoned each time they become Sophie-Hitting sticks.

 The cheese face which always accompanies the request for snacks.

 The girls found a lavender color variant of Oregon Wild Iris (usually deep purple--but that's why it's a research forest!).

 Summit shot--the whole Willamette Valley is laid out behind us.

 Sophie in an attitude of adoration.

 The girls found a mutated twin daisy. They called it the "Sharing Together Flower."

Sophie's Brief Hairdo

 These are taken with an ugly bathroom background because I *knew* she would only leave them in for a matter of minutes. Dang it--they would be soooo cute!

 Sure enough, starting to pull them out.

Claire's no help. Girls like these are wild and free.

Claire's World

 Claire has asked for a post with only her photography.

 These are stacked cans by Sophie which Claire thought were very impressive.

 A "Selfie"

 A rare Dad sighting in the daytime.

 Ponyo, our new lionhead goldfish from Japan.

 Sophie with parents plugged into the computer in the background.

 Modern art--or "Cinderella has a drinking problem."

Art again. Currently untitled.

Magic Campfire

 Adam and Tristan's campout with their Venture scouts failed when not a single boy showed up, so the wives saved the evening by suggesting that we do s'mores at the park. Then the men were still able to have their fire--arg arg! We used peanut butter cups instead of chocolate and the result was ultra delicious. I brought chemicals to change the flames different colors but the conditions weren't right for anything spectacular. I'll keep experimenting to get a good purple flame.

 Why am I always wearing this shirt when it's one of our daughters' first time eating a marshmallow at a campfire? Le weird.

Adam caught me monologue-ing.

Science School Butterfly Release

 Karlee, Kalia, Gaius, Amalyn, TJ, Kiya and Claire's arm.

 Claire gently offers a perch to a Painted Lady butterfly as friends blow bubbles and look on.

 Clockwise from left-most mom: Kristy, Liz, Laurel, Kjersten, Karlee, Kalia, Gaius, Amalyn, Kiya and Claire

 Sophie blows bubbles with our super strong home blend.

These were some of the most awesome pets ever! We loved raising them from caterpillars and the girls still pray for the butterflies to have a nice life in the wild each night.