Fun in June

Happy summer, everyone! Yes, I realize that our California cousins have been enjoying summer weather for a long time now. But in Portland, things don't get really nice and sunny until June. We decided not to plan big (plane) trips this summer and just enjoy local attractions and the beautiful weather here. But we've definitely been keeping busy. Here are some photos showing what the kids were up to in June...

At the end of the school year, Brielle's "Spanish school" took a field trip to the zoo.

We visited the animals as a group and the kids got special stickers for naming each animal in Spanish.

Brielle, Mommy, and Daddy continued working on our Taekowndo.

At the end of the month, Brielle tested for her next belt level. I don't have any photos because Kraig and I were out there testing too (with a bunch of kids). We moved up to our orange belts, and Brielle got her (adult-level) yellow belt. Master Ha presented it to her in class.

It appears that almost all of Brielle's friends were born in spring and early summer because we were suddenly being invited to kid birthday parties almost every weekend. It was a lot of fun because each one was in a different fun location - the Arboretum, Pump it Up, at a gymnastics center, at another play center with inflatables, slides, games, and cars, and at an indoor trampoline park. Ronan got to come to a few of them and join in on the fun.

"Are you sure you're ready?"

"Look out, Ronan!"

Brielle also enjoyed taking care of her butterfly garden, a birthday gift from Cousin Stella and her parents. She started with caterpillars, and we watched them each build a chrysalis and emerge as a butterfly. Finally it was time to release them outside.

We also set up three summer camps for Brielle to attend during the summer. They're basically week-long programs like school (no overnights). In early July she had Taekwondo camp at her dojang, which she loved. In August she'll have music camp. But her first camp, at the end of June, was farm camp - Old MacDonald's Farm, about an hour NE of Portland.

Except for the first morning, Brielle was transported to and from the farm each day by bus. Since she hasn't started elementary school yet, this was the first time we've sent Brielle away for the day on a bus. It felt a little strange, but I was so proud of our big, independent girl.

It was a cute and pretty place, with little red barns hosting pigs, goats, chickens, and geese. Dogs, a puppy, and some cats also roamed the property.

The farm also had pastures for cows and horses. Part of her experience was getting to ride on the pony.

We've also had time at home to play in the yard and around the house. As Ronan gets older, they're having more and more fun playing together.