Mardi Gras

Audrey and Kate celebrated Mardi Gras today with their cousins Lily and Cora. Kate found the baby Jesus in the king cake.

A February(!) bike ride

Audrey and Kate took advantage of the unseasonably warm winter weather and went for a bike ride on the Springwater Corridor today. They got on the trail at Oaks Park and then rode up to the new TriMet bridge, stopping to throw some rocks in the river. Audrey pedaled her own bike the whole way, about 6-7 miles round-trip. They stopped for lunch at Cha Cha Cha in Sellwood on the way home.

Audrey, songwriter

Audrey, Kate, and their cousin Lily sing a song Audrey wrote the lyrics to.

New neighbors

Audrey and Kate were excited to meet the new neighbors who moved into the house next door this weekend: their cousins Lily and Cora (and their parents, of course). With the house spruced up and habitable -- save for the driveway that's still torn up for sewer work -- the Taylors began moving in on Friday (February 6). The four girls had lots of time together over the weekend, starting with Lily helping pick up Audrey and Kate at the bus stop. The fun continued with lots of playtime, dancing and skits, dinners, hot tub time, and Sunday School.

Athletic endeavors

Audrey and Kate show off some newly developed gymnastic skills: doorway-climbing for Kate (taking a cue from big sister), and some playground acrobatics for Audrey after school.

Cheering on the Generals

Audrey and Kate and their friend Hannah went to Grant High School tonight to cheer on the girls basketball team in their game against Lincoln. They enjoyed the concessions (and hopefully the basketball, too). One of the coaches let the girls hold onto a few of the basketballs.

RIP Snowflake

The kids got a little lesson in the circle of life yesterday. Kate's betta fish, Snowflake, died unexpectedly, after we had her for only about four month. Kate and Audrey and their friend and neighbor Olivia held a small burial service today to honor Snowflake's short life.