Green Belts, Sunriver, and Other Bits

We've had a full May so far.  I would love to wax eloquent about all we've been doing, but I have a sinus infection. So, I'll just post pictures and tell a few of the stories instead.

Two weeks ago the boys earned their green belts at Taekwondo.  They were so excited.  You might notice someone missing.  It's true.  I haven't been back to class since earning my orange belt (with a broken toe) in March.  That toe took awhile to heal, and my Friday mornings were often filled by an adorable three year old with a Daddy waiting for a heart transplant.  Providing childcare for my friend was more important.  Will I go back to Taekwondo?  I don't know yet.  It was fun.  But I also broke two toes in six months.  So...the jury is still out.  Here are the pics.

 Holding their green belts after testing.

Looking fierce with Master Nirangen.  I love how Luke is looking at his instructor...he thinks pretty highly of this man.  So do I.

Paul searches for bugs with our three year old guest.  By the way, his daddy got a new heart on May 1st, the day this picture was taken.  When his mom arrived to pick him up, we were among the first to hear that there was a donor heart.  After praying so hard for so long (about 100 days at OHSU) it was more than surreal to hear that the time had finally come.  The transplant was a complete success and Bob continues to do well with no signs of rejection.  We don't get to see our little man as often now, but we rejoice with him and his family. And Bob says he is going to start blogging, so look for that link soon!

Then we went for a hike.  Oy.  This post is evidence of the fact that Sudafed does weird things to me.  Sorry for the crazy, random writing.  Pictures.  Let's stick to pictures.

 I can't even remember what was upsetting Paul, but I just had to post this.  Sometimes this is what life is like.

 Later we found this cool tree and Paul was happier.

Then they switched places.

I got cute haircut.  Wanna see?

Before

After

Noel at Vanity Junkie rocks.

And most recently, the boys and I took a trip to Sunriver by ourselves.  Erik had to be in Vegas for his National Sales Meeting this past week, so we packed up the van and went on vacation.  It was such a brilliant idea.  Of course it wasn't perfect the entire time.  They are kids.  And I'm a flawed mom.  But seriously, no requirements on our time and lots of fun things to do made the week fly by.  We went to the SHARC, the totally awesome aquatic center, each day we were there.  And there were no crowds and no traffic.  Magic.

 Our first afternoon at the cabin.  Their faces say it all perfectly.

 Chess.  It's a big thing here now.  Luke is the one who loves it.  Paul plays because he loves his brother.  And I play because I love my son.  

 Our second day, a Wednesday, and they are the only kids in the pool.  Seriously folks.  In the summer this place is packed.  You can't move two feet without bumping into someone.  This is better.

 In the evenings we would clear the table together after dinner, do the dishes and then either play a game or watch a movie.  This was the night we ate mini chocolate chip cookies from Trader Joe's and I taught the boys to play Yahtzee.  Luke's quote for the night as the game progressed, "It's all just random, isn't it?"  I think chess is more his speed, but Yahtzee is more his mama's speed!  Poor child.

 So, I recently learned that coffee doesn't really stunt your growth.  At all.  And the caffeine might actually help the ADHD brain to slow down a bit.  Guess who got to try coffee on our trip?  Yep.  My kids.  To be clear, they are drinking about two tablespoons of coffee with two tablespoons of almond milk and a drop of agave.  They liked the idea of drinking coffee with mom, just like dad.  But in reality, they weren't really into it.  Oh, well.  Maybe in five more years.

The weather wasn't really all that great, but it didn't matter.  They put up their hoods and were just fine.  This is the rock climbing area outside the SHARC.  We spent time there when we arrived before it opened on Thursday.

Then we came home.  We have four weeks left of school.  We will finish later in June than the public schools, and we will start earlier in August than they do.  But having weeks in the middle of the year to do trips like this one is TOTALLY worth it.  Yes, we will still go to Sunriver in July, and yes, it will be WAY crazier. But Erik and I are already looking ahead to find some time in September or October when we can get away with the boys and enjoy the quiet of the cabin.