Weekend Away

First just a random shot that Jo wanted to take of herself.

I actually like shots of the kids like this.

Like is not a strong enough word, Love would be a better word.

We headed to visit Jill’s family for the weekend and since we were heading through Portland we hit yet another wrestling tournament for Cole. We met up with my brother, Todd, and niece Derian, in the early a.m. (they were headed to a car show in the Portland area), we all grabbed some breakfast together and then watched Cole’s first match before Todd & D had to head out. Cole had a good time wrestling again, only two matches this day because there were only three boys in his group. He managed two pins and took his first Gold medal. He understands “pins” now so he was very excited heading off the mat and getting hugs from his coaches and family.

We don’t know if there will be another tournament in the near future and for this Mom, that’s ok. They make long days fun and exciting, but they are early mornings and very long days. Cole will still be going to practice and having a good time. Keeping him busy a few hours a day at least a couple days a week is a good thing.We spent time with the Smith family for the rest of our weekend and had a very good time. Maggie (Another Awesome March Birthday) turned 8 and had a “big girl” birthday party. So we took younger sister Lanna, the twins and cousin Holden bowling during the party hours. Way fun! We all had a good time laughing and waiting for the ball to get to the pins when the kids took their turn. All three kids bowled around 70 while poor Holden was around a 30. (he’s 15…heehee).We made a quick stop at Mom’s favorite Asian grocery store in Portland, Anzen. Why you ask? Well for a Bao! What else? YUMMY! And tried yet another fun kids snack that we could only look at the picture to know what it was. Marshmallow with Blueberry filling? Also a Yummy! Some times we just don’t know what we will end up with and there have been times that our snack has ended in the trash bin at home. Always fun to try some thing new!.

Wrestling and the Last of My Birthday

Well March is an awesome month to be born in, I think the best really. I know lots of folks who are born in March and they are just as awesome as myself. Now those who are saying “Hey, I’m awesome and I am not born in March”. The first two sentences were not about you were they? It’s all about me and March Babes like me.
Spent my actual Birthday at Cole’s first wrestling tournament, then headed North to Sherwood to celebrate with Awesome Betsy. She turned the big 40! We had a very good time and met lots of new folks. Then this past weekend another BASH of Awesome March folks at the coast for a night. That’s right! Lots of March Coolness going on! These women are great friends from my very first softball team and we still get together for laughing, drinking and just being loud! Two other Awesome March Chicks in this group, one who turned 50 and another who is a tad older than that! My belly almost hurt the next morning I had laughed so hard with them.

We spent another Saturday watching Cole wrestle. It was an extremely LONNNNNGGGG day with two different types of wrestling at this tournament. We are new to this but are learning quickly that when you wrestle don’t make any other plans for that day.
Cole did awesome again and just had a blast wrestling for points. He even got a pin in one of his matches! Though I must say that he really does not “get” all the point stuff yet or who wins what but he is getting there.
Coach Rich is great! He has taken the time to coach all the kids that show up from his school no matter how young or old. He gets the boys all pumped up and smiling and Cole really listens to his coaching while in the match.
After each match the kid who wins has to sign the score sheet. Our first tournament they didn’t have Cole sign anything but this week Rich had him sign his name. (Momma moment thinking this was cool)

Cole placed second this week and got yet another medal! He again wore the medal to school, not just the new one but both to show them off to his friends! He is just having a ball with this new sport!

Like I said, it was a very long day, but we all had a good time. There was a courtyard right outside the door we were sitting next to and Jo spent most of her time playing with other kids. She was so happy being outside in the sun, running, playing tag and hide n seak. She did come in for each of Cole’s matches but then bolted right back out the door. Happy Girl!

Wrestling

Cole has been going to wrestling practice for a few months now, Saturday he had his first tournament. After watching his first two matches we weren't sure if wrestling was his thing, it was like watching him in slow motion.
Well, the Cottage Grove coaches took him under their wings, gave him some tips (plus all the ones from Mom, Oma, Connie, and Rachelle to wrestle like he does against us or his 'boys' from the neighborhood), by the third match he was a different guy. Turns out he is mostly missing the fast pace of live wrestling. No matter, he absolutely loved the experience.

Along the way he made a new buddy (his words), Noah, who is the child of one of Oma's co-workers. They couldn't be separated!
Cole took 3rd Place!
Noah took 1st! It was both boys first tournament.
Jo was very happy for her brother!

Forest Walk About – My Little Pony LIVE!

Our weekend was going to be snow-tubing and then My Little Pony but in the middle of Friday night Cole woke with a fever and a very sore throat. He was down for the count most of the day Saturday, played some video games with a neighbor kid and hung out with Oma just chillin’.

Jo and Momma on the other hand didn’t want to sit around, we had been looking forward to heading up the mountain to play. After a phone call to Uncle Todd to say “hey,” we heard him say he would be taking a break from home work and the family would be doing a walk through the hills looking for deer trails, antlers, and poo. We invited ourselves (sort of) on the walk and quickly loaded up and headed out.

Beautiful walking trails, a pond and just lots to look at, touch and play with. Corri headed out on the trails thinking we would all hook up at some point, we even thought the same but we didn’t see her again till we headed home. Todd and Derian took Jo and I onto the first deer trail they saw and off we went through the woods. Derian pointing out the doe poo and the buck poo and teaching us the difference. Jo spotted a salamander right off along with a ladybug and other interesting plants and more poo. Todd showed us antler rubs on the sides of trees and again...more poo.

After a bit of walking, good old Uncle Todd dropped an antler in the path of Jo, boy was she ever excited to find a deer antler in the woods! That perked her step up for the rest of the walk. It sure was/is fun to tell your kids…there will be mud and water and it’s all o.k! Have FUN!

On Sunday we dressed up a little bit and went to a nice brunch before sitting in on the kids’ first stage production. My Little Pony Live! We told the kids five days before the show, thinking Jo would be the one most excited…she was excited but Cole went right into his room that night and pulled out all the cloths he wanted to wear to the show and put them by the front door. He was ready to go! They both love musicals.
It was a very fun show; Cole smiled the whole time and participated when it warranted, even learning “I’m a Little Teapot” with the movements. Jo? She didn’t smile much but she had a blast as well. She is like her Momma, totally engrossed in the story to the point that you don’t smile, laugh or participate much. We become one with what is going on and to do anything else (like laugh or talk) would take us out of the dream. We become part of the story itself. The following night she sang some of the songs from the play in her bath, so we know she had a very good time.

And then there was the weather? WOW…almost shorts time! Whooohoooo! Just a wonderful weekend all around.