Scooting

Finn decided that he could go faster with no clothes on.

Discovery and tennis

Last weekend, after Mama's return, we finally headed over to the Discovery Cube, a science museum in nearby Santa Ana. We've driven past it plenty of times - you can't miss the giant, black cube and the rocket ships right off the 5 - and usually said, "We should check that out some time...." Well, "some time" was last Sunday, and it was worth the trip. There is plenty of science, made fun by presenting it in the context of space, dinosaurs, race cars, and hockey. 

Caden tries his wings. 

Driving the Zamboni

Racing cars

On Wednesday, Mama and Dada saw Caden's 4th grade winter concert. It was great to see how much they have learned and how well they play together. 

Finn has been enjoying dress up - especially his new fireman costume - as well as our weekly train rides at the farmer's market. And he even helped vacuum his room on Saturday.

And Caden is continuing to take, and enjoy, tennis lessons. He has also been studying his lines a lot lately, as he was recently cast in the lead role of his upcoming classroom production of The Phantom Tollbooth. 

Winter Concert

On Wednesday, Mama and Dada headed over to Turtle Rock Elementary to watch Caden and the other 4th graders perform.

Oregon and back

The day after Christmas, we caught a jet north to Oregon, where we celebrated the holidays with family in Corvallis and Hillsboro. Thus, we continued enjoying treats and opening presents until New Year's Eve.

It was great to see everyone! Ama and Adad had a houseful, with Auntie Sally visiting from Colorado and Uncle Jerry, Auntie Misty, and cousins Isabelle and Nate in the process of moving back to Oregon from Missouri. Our elf and his big brother added to the excitement. And Ama and Adad had decorated a silly tree that had grown up as a volunteer in their azalea bush by the side of the house.

From there, it was up to Hillsboro to spend time with Aunt Erika, Uncle Brad. and cousins Rowan and Sawyer. Mama was roped into the tough job of reading. 

And the boys had a great time playing together. 

Then, Mama stayed in Portland for a conference, while the boys (and Dada) flew back home.

Happy New Year!

Santa Claus Is Comin'

Finn has adopted this as one of the songs we need to sing with him before bed every night. 

SoCal Christmas

The boys had a great Christmas! Caden made sure that his little brother understood exactly what was coming: Santa would visit in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve, filling stockings and bringing one REALLY BIG present and lots of little ones. Santa lived up to expectations this year, as gauged by the exclamations of delight on Christmas morning.

The lead-up to Christmas was also great fun, with lots of baking. Finn has been enjoying a story called The Gingerbread Kid, and he was super excited to help make gingerbread cookies to share with neighbors. 

We continued our Christmas Eve tradition of a picnic lunch (In N Out) and hike, and Finn hiked the entire Bommer Canyon loop without being carried. Then, it was time for coziness and halibut chowder at home before settling ourselves in for a long winter's nap.