Twice Blessed

So yesterday Deepak says to me "Mama, you and Daddy are both 28, right?" I tell him that we are. He then says "So that means you're almost to 30. Next is 29 and then you'll be at 30!"

He was proud at his realization. I wasn't as thrilled with the reminder that my entry into my 30's is just around the corner.

Of course as his mama, I think everything he has to say is adorable and more important than anything else going on around me.

No pictures from this week. This mama is in alot of pain so we've been laying low. Doing art projects, coloring, playing legos, magnetix, reading tons of books and making mud pies and swinging in the hammock with our friends next door.

Hopefully next week we'll back to our busy selves. But since we're always on the go-go-go, I'm trying to enjoy our time at home for now.

Smooches my friends!

Today was such a beautiful day in Portland. Growing up in Southern California, you forget to appreciate such days, but not here. You remember what a blessing warm air and radiant sunshine is. Today we packed a lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches, grapes, carrots, strawberries, watermelon, goldfish crackers and of course......cookies! We sat out on the lawn near the elephants and Daddy and Deepak raced back and forth across the grass, Deepak did a few of his Jedi tumbles too. Then we visited the elephants, zebra, giraffes, bats, tigers, kangaroo and hippopotamus. Dee told me one thing he noticed about each animal and I wrote his observations down on index cards for his journal.

Once we got home, the three of us spent the afternoon outside. Daddy mowed the lawn and Deepak and I filled a whole bag with loose leaves and twigs. Another simply wonderful, family day.

Ok, this post is out of order and I haven't figured out how to fix that so cut me some slack! This post should have followed the Discovery Museum post.

After our trip to the Discovery Museum, we walked across the way to the Oregon Zoo. We were tired from our trip to the airport and time at the museum but it was so close, we have a membership and we really wanted to see the new Great Northwest exhibit.

We had awesome views of the black bears, bobcats and cougars, as well as fish, turtles and ducks. It was lunchtime so we left after walking thru the entire exhibit but we're going back Saturday because Deepak REALLY wants to see the ocelots!

Monday the Nature Kids got to see the first authentic bald eagle's nest recovered from the wild at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands in Hillsboro. Mom, Dad and Lola came along for the fun. Well all the parents came, they're 4 afterall!

Even though Lola left, we had a fabulous day. We visited the Forestry Discovery Museum. We played in the white water raft, boat and jeep, learned about the rainforest, tree harvesting and planting, the environment and the animals of the forest. The last time we were there, there was an Ansel Adams exhibit. The current exhibit is Jungles sponsored by National Geographic. I took photos of the photos on exhibit. Amazing!

Today Deepak's Lola (my mom) left Portland to return to California. We had a wonderful time during her visit and as always, are sad to have to say goodbye. She plans to relocate here later this year and we anxiously await the day that she calls Oregon her home.

Here is Deepak and Lola standing on our front porch. Isn't the Flowering Plum tree beautiful? Too bad it's our neighbors'! Makes for a nice backdrop though......almost looks like one of those faux backgrounds you use at a studio!

After the party at CM2, we headed over to Sip & Kranz in the Pearl District. Coffee yum, bagel yum, cookie yum! Deepak had cereal with soy milk so he was happy. Then he played in the Kiddie Lounge while we watched him through the see-thru wall. A soundproof room where kids can play, draw on the walls and tumble into piles of pillows while parents take advantage of great food, coffee, wine/beer and wi-fi......who can complain! Afterwards we stepped outside and let out more energy in Jameson Square. All in all, another wonderful day.

Sunday we went to a classmates birthday party at CM2 in Portland. We hadn't gone there for awhile.......it is SO time to renew our membership, that place is awesome! There have been some renovations and Deepak had so much fun during the party and playing with his friends in the museum afterwards. http://www.portlandcm.org

Today Deepak modeled his cute little Perry Ellis suit at Nordstrom's Spring Fashion Show.

He strutted his stuff down the runway after turning in his bio which stated that his favorite subject in preschool is Art, because he likes to paint and that he wants to be an Astronaut when he grows up because it would be exciting and he'd like to visit Mercury someday.

He was so cute doing his thing on the "catwalk" and there were many "aaawww's" as he strutted his stuff. He was very happy that his Lola was here visiting from California to see him. He was a great sport for having to be dressed up and paraded around at 8:30 in the morning.

Afterwards he had a big plate of chocolate chip pancakes at The Original Pancake house in Portland. Yummy!

Deepak earned his second stripe for his tae kwon do belt last week. To earn it he had to demonstrate his *four directionals*. I still couldn't tell you exactly what that is! From what I see, it is a short series of stepping/turning in the appropriate direction, using the appropriate foot for each step, and kicking.

After he earned his stripe he immediately called his daddy to share the good news. Daddy was thrilled as he is Dee's biggest fan.

His first stripe was for reciting the tae kwon do creed: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control, Indomitable Spirit. It is VERY cute to hear a not quite four year old (at the time he earned it) say "indomitable"

I'm so proud of my little guy!

Today I was invited by my lovely friend Ms. Viana, to view her blog. Upon visiting the site I learned that I already established an account here so I figured I'll give it a go. Between playdates, preschool, tae kwon do, basketball, kumon, the house, the dog, the husband...I will try to keep this up regularly but don't count on it!