Colorful Kate

Kate experimented with colors this morning using a science kit Audrey passed on to her. She dissolved color tablets in test tubes, learning that hot water dissolved the tablets faster. She learned how mixing colors can make other colors, and used some absorbent crystals to create squishy jewels of color.

Water balloons

Audrey and Kate's friend and neighbor Olivia brought over some water balloons to play with this afternoon. Dada made some for Kate, but she didn't want to toss any, preferring to save hers for later in a Tupperware container.

Outing with the "babies"

Neither Audrey nor Kate had school today. In the morning, they took their "babies" (a couple of their teddy bears) on a stroll to Jim and Patty's for a treat. They pushed the strollers all the way to the coffee shop and back.

Eggs with Olivia

Although Easter was more than a week ago, Kate and Audrey finally got around to dying Easter eggs with a kit Mama had bought. They dyed the eggs with their friend and neighbor Olivia.

Grandpa Dave's birthday

Audrey and Kate helped Grandpa Dave celebrate his birthday at the Old Spaghetti Factory today.

A busy day

Audrey and Kate had a busy day today. It began with the start of a new round of swimming lessons at the pool at the East Portland Community Center. Audrey is in the youth Seal class and Kate is a preschool Penguin. After lunch at the Bipartisan Cafe in Montavilla, they went to Target, where they amused themselves in the toy aisles and Kate got to pick out a camera as a belated Easter gift. Then they headed south to Milwaukie, where they picked up some bread at the Dave's Killer Bread outlet store and helped Mama shop for a new living room rug at the Mill End/Carpet Mill store. They got to pick out some fabric scraps to make crafts with, and rested in a pile of "logs" (rolled-up carpets).

They were pretty good sports about all the schlepping around Mama and Dada put them through, although everyone was a bit worn out when we finally got home. Kate checked out a pea trellis Dada had bought and tried out her new camera. Audrey got to work assembling one of her Easter gifts, a new LEGO Friends set. Kate, getting bored while Audrey was immersed in LEGO assembly, made herself into a "Kate-in-the-box."

Dental duo

Just in time to help with the Easter-candy sugar splurge, Audrey and Kate had dentist appointments today. Maybe Dada should have asked for a discount since Audrey has so many fewer teeth to clean right now . . .