Day at the beach

We took a day trip to the coast today. We went to Astoria, Oregon (home of the movie Goonies) and visited Ft. Stevens State Park. Stanley chased waves and played in the sand. It was so funny to watch him run and yell, and just have FUN!

Birthday Parties

Stanley has so many birthday parties to go to! His friends Jace and Nicholas have had their parties, and Stanley still has Olin and his own parties still to come. Three-year-old birthday parties are so much fun!

Nicholas' Party
Nicholas is a friend we met in the neighborhood. He only lives a few blocks away. His party was at his house, with lots of fun games and yummy food.

Water balloons!

Watching Nicholas open presents

Dinosaur piñata

Picking up the piñata loot!

Jace's Party
Jace is a friend Stanley met at the mom's group we used to go to when he was a baby. They've stayed friends through the years, and are now celebrating their third birthdays! Jace had the Tumble Bus come to his house. The Tumble Bus is a school bus converted to a tumbling gym. An instructor led them in some games and then they played on the equipment.

Counting to ten while another kid jumps
on the trampoline

Jumping on the trampoline!

Hanging on the rings

Street Fairs

A fun thing about living in Portland is: summer street fairs! It seems like every neighborhood puts on a fun street fair sometime during the summer. Our neighborhood has Fremont Fest. Another one we went to this summer is Alberta Street Fair. There is always food, music, and local vendors selling art. There are also a lot of fun kid-activities, too!

Old-timey car at Fremont Fest

Staying cool at Fremont Fest

Bouncy House at Alberta Street Fair

First Day of Preschool

Stanley went to his first day of preschool this morning. He is going to a school called The Peanut Gallery. It is a sweet little classroom attached to the lead teacher's house. They have a great backyard play space with a sandbox, play structure, and a beautiful raspberry patch. Stanley was excited to go today, with a tiny bit a nervous reservation.

Last night, he helped pack up his backpack with a nap blanket and a little stuffed bunny and helped make his lunch (which included a peanut butter and jelly, carrot sticks, raisins, goldfish crackers, and water--all from Stanley's request). When I dropped him off this morning, he was already playing with a new friend. When I asked for a second hug, he replied, "Sorry, Mom. I'm too busy." I left with the confidence he would have stories at the end of the day of the fun things he's done today.

Even knowing that, I did cry a few tears. I think they were from happiness, pride, and a little sadness of losing my baby. But, in place of that sweet little baby I used to hold in my arms, I've gained a wonderful and smart little boy who is ready to conquer the world!

Special "first day of school" breakfast:
homemade waffles, marionberries, and maple syrup

Holding his new Thomas lunchbox

This is how I left Stanley this morning,
too busy playing trains to hug his mama.