The beginning of spring. Just a few photos from our adventures last Sunday. And when I say adventures I mean lunch, coffee shop and a walk in the sunshine. And when I say last Sunday, I really mean last, last Sunday because I am so far behind in posting. Hope to catch up this week.

Thomas chose the chocolate cookie with extra chocolate. I wholeheartedly approved.

Coffee Art

This next photo was taken right before the kids were nearly cleaned up by a car turning against a red light. Kei and I were both too stunned to react at the time, but it was very close. It’s probably a good think Kei didn’t have the chance to “react” on the driver.

Thomas has started basketball lessons. I hesitate to say he’s playing basketball because… well… it’s not so much playing as moving around according to instructions. He’s only had two lessons and it’s clear he needs to work on his defensive moves (side to side), dribbling, passing and catching.

One thing is clear though. The kid loves to run.

Kei just left for work. Samuel is having a hard time coming to terms with it. This lasted about three minutes and then life was back to normal.

Kei and Thomas are planting a veggie garden. I’ve been told they did it just in the nick of time to grow veggies this year. Apparently Portland veggies don’t like to be planted in May.

I’m excited to see what happens, although so far so good. We are just starting to see little green sprouts that may or may not be the top of carrots (Kei was a little fuzzy on exactly where he planted things). I am hoping for some lettuce. Kei and Thomas spread enough seeds to potentially grow…well…about a million. I am hoping for two or three. I’m so low maintenance.

I’m ashamed to admit that the Easter Bunny nearly forgot to visit the Ishida house this year. Oh, he was prepared weeks in advance but nearly forgot to drop by on the night that mattered. At 11pm he hopped into the playroom (AND tidied it up), hid some eggs around the room and left behind a basket with some goodies.

Good thing Mrs Bunny was on the ball. When Thomas walked into the room and saw this, he laughed out loud and said “You can’t do that!”

It is a little creepy – and hilarious.

The plastic eggs were the highlight for Samuel. He still gets excited when he unexpectedly finds one on the floor.

The Portland Fire Department operates an historical firehouse for safety education. It’s a mini museum with fire fighter uniforms, hats and old equipment on display. Of course, given Thomas’ current obsession with all things Firefighter, we had to take him to experience the real thing. I tried to take him past the fire station near our house but shyness overtook him and he wouldn’t go near the fire engines in case we got into trouble.

The great thing about this fire house is that we could get up close and personal.

The highlight was the real fire engine experience where you get to ride in a fire engine complete with sound effects, video and the real shakes and shudders of a true engine. Very exciting!

Of course there was one little fear to overcome, but I finally managed to coax Thomas into sliding down the pole.

Samuel’s favourite part? Being thrown in the air by Daddy on the way back to the car.

Never get’s old.

Thomas is learning how to use chopsticks. He’s getting better but still needs a little help to actually get some of the food in his mouth.

And this one currently won’t eat anything unless he can feed it to himself.

If you try to spoon feed him, he’ll immediately pull the food out of his mouth again to inspect it properly. And it can be very messy when he’s eating apple sauce or pureed carrots.

He’s also very noisy and demanding when he gets hungry (aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!). It can become a little embarrassing in restaurants so we choose family-friendly, noisy locations.

Of course after a filling meal of sushi, it’s important to take a quick walk.

Or maybe a run.

The perfect Friday evening – no dishes, good food and everyone full and happy.