Easter egg-stravaganza

Audrey and Kate celebrated Easter with family and friends today. The fun began with Easter baskets and an indoor Easter-egg hunt at home. Then it was off to church for an Easter service (they managed to sit through most of the long service without getting too antsy), a pancake breakfast, and then an outdoor egg hunt on the church lawn with their friends Caroline and Lucas. Afterwards, they headed over to GG's house for brunch and another egg hunt. They got to see Nana, Michael, and Aunt Pam and Uncle Steve while they were there. Finally, they headed over to Milwaukie for dessert with Honey and Honey Grandpa and one more egg hunt.

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A glorious spring afternoon

After seeing Great-Grandpa and Carol and going to the Easter carnival, Audrey and Kate headed home, stopping at Portland Nursery on Division Street on the way to pick up some compost and seeds to start their garden. The nursery had a little play house that kept the girls occupied while Mama and Dada shopped.

When they got back to their house, the girls were eager to play outside in the sunny, 70-degree weather. It was even warm enough for them to put on their swimsuits and play with their sprinkler-ball. Later, after Mama had cleaned up the little shed in the back yard, the girls set it up to be a pretend schoolhouse, complete with a school "bell" and students (some of their stuffed animals). Then they helped Dada with the garden, planting peas and potatoes (their friend and neighbor Olivia helped).

Easter outing with Great-Grandpa and Carol

Audrey and Kate kicked off the Easter weekend festivities today with a trip to see Great-Grandpa Darrel and Carol. There was an Easter "Eggstravaganza" at Mary's Woods. There were games for which the kids could win prizes, as well as snacks and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny (although the girls didn't want to and diligently avoided him). Audrey really got into the games and collecting prizes, and filled up her bucket with candy and trinkets; Kate was mostly content with the stuffed bunny all of the kids received when they arrived. Afterwards, Great-Grandpa treated to lunch at Manzana.

Tooth loss continues

Audrey lost her sixth baby tooth this evening. Mama accidentally snagged the wiggly tooth with a washcloth during bath time and dislodged it.

Seattle sojourn

After helping Honey Grandma celebrate her birthday on Saturday morning, Audrey and Kate headed north for a long Spring Break weekend in Seattle. On the way up, they stopped at Trader Joe's in Olympia for a bathroom break and provisions, then took advantage of the nice weather and had a picnic and playtime at Yauger Park.

After arriving in Seattle and settling into their hotel room, the girls went out to explore their environs. They were staying in the South Lake Union neighborhood, and walked along the lakeshore to see what they could find. They came across a play structure (which kept them occupied for a few minutes), some yachts for sale, and South Lake Union Park and the Center for Wooden Boats. They wandered a bit further to find dinner (at a very depressing Taco Del Mar), then headed back to the hotel for hot chocolate and bedtime. They shared a hide-a-bed, and the novelty of the sleeping arrangement kept them awake and giggling way past their bedtime.

The next morning, after breakfast at the hotel, the girls headed down to the waterfront to ride the Ferris wheel. Afterwards, they rode a carousel and played arcade games in the Miner's Landing building on Pier 57. Next, they headed to Pike Place Market, where they ogled the salmon and crabs and other sea life at the fishmonger, enjoyed looking at flowers and costume jewelry, and bought wraps to adorn their hair. They then went and got their car and drove to a sushi restaurant for lunch (a sister establishment of their favorite sushi place in Portland). After a short rest time back at the hotel, it was off to the pool for some aquatic recreation. The water was cold, unfortunately, so everyone spent most of the pool time in the hot tub. The girls had dinner in their hotel room and called it a night.

The next day (Monday) after breakfast, the girls checked out, loaded up the car, and headed to the Seattle Center. They spent a couple of hours at the Pacific Science Center, where the hands-on water installations were a hit and the butterfly room was not (both girls were afraid of the butterflies landing on them). They enjoyed some cute-but-overpriced sandwiches and cake pops for lunch, and then went to explore the Queen Anne neighborhood, where they found coffee for Mama and another great playground to enjoy the warm weather in.

On the way back home to Portland, the girls stopped to see Mama's friend Margaret and her family. They liked playing with a toddler roller coaster that was set up on the back deck, and got to have some Jello Jigglers with Cool Whip after dinner. They got back home around 9:30, and went straight to bed.

(If the slideshow below doesn't appear or doesn't work, click here).

Honey's birthday

Audrey and Kate helped celebrate Honey's birthday this morning with breakfast at Petite Provence. The girls enjoyed what is probably the largest-portioned kid's meal any of us has ever seen: each got a Mickey Mouse pancake, a protein (eggs for Kate, bacon for Audrey), and a full-size croissant. Needless to say, a to-go bag was needed. Aunt Marie and Uncle Keith were there, and Aunt Allison stopped by briefly. After breakfast, Audrey and Kate got to meet Keith and Allison's dog Moby, then they headed off to Seattle for the weekend.

Yet another tooth gone

Only six days after losing her fourth baby tooth, Audrey lost her fifth one today. This one she pushed loose with her tongue.

LEGO Outing

Audrey went to a LEGO exposition at the Oregon Convention Center with Dada and Honey Grandpa today. It was a showcase of original designs by LEGO fans of various ages. Some of Audrey's favorites included a spider, a model of a Lady Gaga concert, a city pool, and a mechanical contraption that raised balls to the top of a tower and then dropped them into a box. She bought a space-girl minifig with her own money, and Dada got her a LEGO Friends book.

Trying a chai

Audrey -- showing off her toothless grin -- tries a sip of Mama's chai at the new neighborhood donut/coffee shop.

Art update

Audrey and Kate have been prolific artists lately. Audrey's latest works include princess drawings and a rendering of Keith and Allison's wedding photo (in which she switched the white wedding dress to a pink one). Kate has been studying the human body at preschool, and made a picture of a skeleton using Q-tips. She also made a reproduction of a portrait of her and Audrey.

Another tooth gone

Audrey lost her fourth baby tooth today. It was a top incisor that had been loose for weeks (maybe months?).  It was hanging by just a thread of tissue, and with some encouragement from Honey, she pulled it out herself. She wrote a note for the Tooth Fairy.

Seesaw sisters

While at the park this afternoon, Audrey and Kate see-sawed together for the first time. It was a little nerve-wracking to watch, with Audrey's bigger size and aggressive pushing-off from the ground threatening to catapult Kate off her seat, but Kate seemed to enjoy it (mostly).

Another visit from Chico

The Heartwood Preschool class mascot, Chico, has been staying with Kate again this week. It's been a low-key visit for Chico. He and Kate did go to meet Mama for lunch on Friday. Kate strapped him into Audrey's carseat so that he'd be safe. This afternoon, Chico accompanied Kate and Audrey on a trip to Irving Park.

Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Audrey's school celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday today. They read Dr. Seuss books, got a visit from the Cat in the Hat, and made Dr. Seuss hats.

Donuts and dirty laundry

Kate had some extra time with Dada today after he took the day off after an out-of-town trip. She checked out a new coffee/donut shop that opened in her neighborhood, and helped Dada do some laundry.