This spring I started playing in two bands, the One More Time Around Again Marching Band (OMTAAMB) and the Portland Metro Concert Band. OMTAAMB is short lived, we play in the Starlight Parade, Rose Parade and Bandfest during the Portland Rose Festival. The concert band meets regularly throughout the year and has several concerts. Here are some pictures from the parades and Bandfest this year.
Here are a few pictures from our camping trip last weekend. Cooper had a great time and is still catching up on his sleep. Excited for many more camping trips this year.
We went to the zoo today for a playdate with Mateo, Natalya and their mom Alayna. Of course once we arrived Cooper wanted to see Bob the Builder (at the Children's Museum). The zoo was packed and we lasted about an hour and a half. As we were saying goodbye Cooper kept saying "Bob, Bob". So we walked over to the museum and spent another hour there. Bob exhibit leaves on Sunday so it was the last time to see it. Of course then Cooper did not want to leave and was stalling, but he was exhausted. We got in the car and he crashed almost immediately. Here are a couple of photos. The tractor at the zoo with friend Mateo and Cooper sacked out on the way home.
We have been busy finishing the lower deck the last three weekends and were stuck with a sick bug during one of those weekends. It's coming along, almost have all the boards screwed in, then the stairs will go up and then Sharon will work on one more section of the deck before finishing. Cooper is jumping right into the TWOS! He is a lot of fun and also exerting his independence every chance he can. He likes to help Sharon by handing her the screws, he loves the backyard and his play area. He is trying out new words every second. He will say some sentences but mainly likes to say the words we say.
Here are some pictures.
We finally made it to the coast to let go of Yukon's ashes. We went to Long Beach, WA because you can drive on the beach. It was a cloudy day and when we got to the coast (after 4 hours of driving) we saw an eagle on the beach eating. Sharon was able to get some good pictures of it. We all put on our wind/rain breakers and headed out, the winds were about 40 mph and really cold.. Cooper loved it, he as chasing birds all over the place. Riley was following him around. When it was time to let go of Yukon, I directed the ashes toward the wind but I ended up turning around so I had Yukon all over me. Pretty sure he ended up in my hair, in my mouth, on my jeans and out to sea. That's the way he would want it anyway. Cooper said bye bye to "go go", Riley sniffed the ashes.
Sharon and I finished the play area for Cooper this weekend. Sharon built the wall to make the area level and I put down weed blocker and filled it in with cedar chips. Cooper also helped by getting pulled in the wagon, crying when Sharon used the chainsaw, destroying the weed blocker after I laid it down, shoveling cedar chips and throwing them outside of the barrier. Actually, Cooper was a big helper, he loved to help me get more cedar chips by saying "more more" after I dumped the wagon. He also played with his Riley while we worked. He loved to watch Sharon use the drill and hammer. Once we put up the play structures Cooper said "bee" and wouldn't play on them.
He loves being outside in the backyard, he asks to go "out" everyday, all day. He is getting very comfortable out there, he brings his trucks out and pushes them all over the place. I sprayed off the play structure today and told him there are no more bees.
Here are some photos:
Cooper and I are fond of going to Mt Tabor most days of the week with Riley. Cooper particularly likes this park because of the excavators, loaders and dump trucks that are working near one of the reservoirs. We bring some of Cooper's cars and he likes to line them up on the grass, that's all he does with them really. He also loves chasing Riley and meeting other people/dogs on our walk.
We joined the Mt Tabor Foot Patrol group, it's a volunteer group that does daily walks at Mt Tabor to collect litter and have a presence in the park. Today was our first walk, it was about 45 minutes and Cooper did great being in the stroller the whole time. We always walk in pairs with another volunteer and wear reflective vests. It was fun and I am glad to hear that I can bring Riley with us.
Cooper had his first haircut in a salon today. A place called Little Clippers in Clackamas. It was great, the people are super nice and they have a ton of cars/toys for the kids to play with while they wait. Cooper watched Cars (his favorite and the only movie he watches). He was super, didn't fuss or cry. He did scowl a little when the louder razor came out. Other than that he played with cars and looked at himself in the mirror.
Before hair
During the haircut
We had a great Sunday at Mt Tabor Park. It was a little cold and windy but lots of fun exploring nature together and playing with Riley of course.
Cooper has been a trooper the past three days while I have been ill and Sharon is in California. I was able to take him to the park yesterday with Riley for a brief time, he liked that. Today, Susan is taking him to the park with Riley.
Cannot wait until tomorrow when Sharon comes home we miss her so much!!!
