Scout's birthday was on Saturday, and because of her intense love for animals and Blue Planet, we decided to drive down to Portland for an overnight and take her for a long-overdue day at the Oregon Zoo! We loved taking Jude there during our three years of living in the Portland-area and knew Scout would love it too.
Thanks, Peggy and Brad, for being such wonderful hosts and not only putting up with our craziness, but also being so overly generous and kind. We love you and your family so much!
Oh, Maggie, my poor kids totally wore you out. Pretty sure you deserved one of those blueberry muffins Scout and Jude were dying to give you.
We drove down with this obnoxious balloon JUST so we could that this photo. Worth it.
She loved this cute little circus tent purse we got her so much that she carried it around the whole time we were at the zoo! All the pointing she did too was pretty adorable, and saying, "Bye, aminals!", every time we moved on to a new exhibit.
"Woot, mom! Sea tows!" Look, mom! Sea cows (lions).
Those elephants are awesome, aren't they Jude?
After the zoo we ate lunch over at Pine Street Market while the girls napped. The Korean bbq place there is AMAZING, btw. GO. Also go because Salt and Straw sells soft-serve at the Wiz Bang Bar and it's KILLER.
And oddly enough, this is the second time we've done Scout's birthday in Portland and also the second time she slept through Salt and Straw.
The chocolate fudge soft serve Jude got really was the best thing ever.
We couldn't pass up the Saturday Market and the splash pad. I see you, Pip!
Jude and Piper are my fearless water-bugs. They didn't inherit that from me.
Scout would rather dance to the bands playing at the Market. Also, I promise that isn't a varicose vein on my right leg there. But so what if it is?? I worked hard to make my babies, dang it.
Pre-dinner cake at Papa Haydn was absolutely necessary. That huckleberry compote in between layers of hazelnut cake and frosting was a totally acceptable appetizer.
THE BEST pizza in Portland. Order it fresh, order it hot. And just get the plain cheese, you idiots.
NY pizza was just the thing to get us even more excited for our trip back east this week, where we'll pay a fraction of the cost for a large cheese. HA! We can't wait!
This entire past week my kids have been in absolute HEAVEN having their cousins in town! My sweet sister-in-law Mindie drove up from Utah with her four incredible boys and we've been having just the best time. The kids have all played so effortlessly together, and although I swore they would all crash mid-afternoon from the heat, their love for each other kept them here until well after the sun had gone day each day. Saying goodbye each night has been so hard for my kids, and especially Jude. These boys are the brothers he's always wanted and we wish so much that we lived closer.
Thanks for coming, Min!
We were thrilled they would be here to celebrate Scout's birthday and so we celebrated with an impromptu cousin party! The love this girl must have felt that day from all of your family was surely unreal. You really have the best kids, Mindie!
She has so much love exploding from her little body that at times I have to tell her, "Easy, Lenny," when she makes this face.
Nana made us all buttermilk fried chicken, homemade mac and cheese (Scout's favorite), and biscuits!
Even though it was hot and those piggies started to melt, Nana's "Pigs in a Mud Bath" cake was a huge success!
These boys are just the sweetest older cousins. They each were so kind and gentle to the little ones.
Her reaction to that Peppa Pig camper!
Also, that pooping kitty is ALLLL the rage right now.
And then, I mean, who wouldn't want to give six children 500 water balloons to throw at each other??
We just love all of these guys! Thanks for coming and playing and making this week just the best time ever!
And to my sweet Scout Imogene: You are my wild and crazy daughter. You are fearless in your love for life and others. You say "hi" to everyone you see, are quick to hug random strangers and kiss your family members. You are my little singing song bird. You love to put on lipstick and nail polish because "it makes me so pretty", but I think you are so beautiful as just you are. You are my mini-me, you are our joy, and we love you with our whole hearts. I can't wait to spend another year with you. I love you, Scouty!
