Reading buddy

Audrey practices her reading by reading a Barbie story to Kate. As often happens with the girls and books, they spend a good chunk of time negotiating which of the characters in the book they wish they could be.

Vacation Bible School 2013

It was time for another round of Vacation Bible School this week, this time at Westminster Presbyterian. Kate got to go for the first time. The girls enjoyed the activities and songs, and especially the refreshments and recreation in the church courtyard after the family night performance. The girls got to see their friends from church, and Audrey's school friend Amelia was there, as were the kids of her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Davidson.

Sunday Parkways with Hannah and Noah

Audrey and Kate took in another Sunday Parkways, this time in Northeast Portland closer to their house. They biked with Audrey's school friend Hannah and her little brother Noah.

Our little monkey

Taking a cue from her friend Amelia, who is an accomplished climber of trees and other stationary objects, Audrey has been finding structures in and around the house to climb on, including door frames and the carport.

 

Father's Day, continued

After the Thorns game, Audrey and Kate headed over to Aunt Marie's house for a barbecue to celebrate Father's Day with Honey Grandpa and also Aunt Allison and Uncle Keith's birthdays. They were really excited to eat Cheetos and pet Marie's cats, Ozzie and Sophie.

Father's Day with the Portland Thorns

For Father's Day, Audrey and Kate took in a Portland Thorns soccer game with Grandpa Dave. The girls seemed to like the experience, with getting to eat stadium food -- including monstrously large snow cones that took them almost the whole game to eat -- a key contributor to their enjoyment of the outing.

Last day of kindergarten

It feels like she started kindergarten only yesterday, but today was Audrey's last day as a kindergartner. She and her classmates enjoyed an end-of-day party that included ice cream sundaes, a final round of playing in the classroom activity centers, looking through some nice memory books their teachers had made for them, and hugs goodbye from their friends and teachers. Dada, Kate, and Honey Grandma came to help celebrate. The kids were to find out today who their first-grade teachers would be for next year, but Audrey will have to wait to meet hers, as a teacher hadn't been assigned for her class yet.

Kindergarten end-of-year picnic

Audrey's kindergarten class gathered with their families and teachers for a picnic to celebrate the end of the school year. As with the welcome picnic, it was held at Wilshire Park. The highlight was the presentation of the class thank-you gifts to Mrs. Davidson and Teacher Elaine: terracotta flower pots painted by the children (which Mama helped coordinate) with fuchsias planted in them, plus gift certificates to Garden Fever.

Swimming session ends

Audrey and Kate wrapped up another round of swimming lessons this morning at East Portland Community Center. Kate will remain a Penguin. Audrey had a last-minute burst of performance that led her instructor to suggest she could move up to Polar Bear, but we may keep her in Seal one more session for some added skill-building. Since it was the last day of the session, the girls got to do some fun water activities. Kate and the other little kids in the shallow pool got to play with balls, and Audrey and her classmates got to go down the big, two-story water slide (which impressed Mama and Dada, as Audrey had never gone down it by herself before).

Art portfolio

Audrey schlepped home on the school bus a large folder containing some art projects she had worked on during her time in kindergarten. She held an art show in the living room for her family. (Click here if the slide show below doesn't appear or doesn't work.)

Performance day

Today was a big day for Audrey and Kate. At mid-day, Kate and her preschool friends performed the play they have been working on for several weeks, "Foolish Rabbit's Big Mistake." In the evening, for Audrey's last day of dance lessons with Ms. Kat, Audrey and her classmates danced selections from the ballet "Coppelia."

Junior Rose Festival Parade

The Junior Rose Festival Parade starts in Audrey and Kate's neighborhood, and both got to watch it today with a handful of friends. Mama picked up Kate and her friend Finley at preschool and brought them to the parade, while Finley's mom picked up Audrey and Finley's brother Charlie early from school. The weather was perfect for a parade, and the kids enjoyed it.

Pajama party

Audrey and Kate with their friend Finley at a pajama party at Kate's preschool this evening. Kate's teach Amy hosted the party for Heartwood students and their siblings. They got to play games with flashlights and sing and dance. In the meantime, Mama and Dada got to go out for dinner and bike ride before returning to pick the girls up.