Rockin' Out in Rockaway Beach

 You guys, we did it. We went on an actual FAMILY VACATION. The four of us have dipped our toes in the water of staying someplace over night, but never like this. It was perfect, crazy and unforgettable this almost getaway. We had the MOST fun.

The first day we drove and drove and drove and drove, stopping every so often to walk the dog, get water and stretch our legs. Finally, we reached Oregon and stopped first off just outside of Ecola park near Canon Beach. We walked Taco and got our first real glimpse of the Oregon coast.

 After we dropped stuff off at our rental, we hightailed it a few miles south to the Tillamook Factory! Forget the cheese, we dove headfirst into the ice cream section (although Cam brought a brick of cheese home with us).

 The next morning, the sky was blue, the temperature hovering on "Seriously guys get outside now," and so we did.

 Dutch was so tripped out by the warm fine sand that he did this pose over and over again. He scooped up sand by the handfuls and then held it over his head, letting it loose very slowly in the wind.

 The beach was lovely and once we were all covered in water and sand, we headed elsewhere.

 

 Clementine maintains that the arcade in Seaside was  her MOST favorite thing we did on vacation. Snort.

 On the one foggy, overcast morning we were there we decided to head south for better weather. And we found it in Lincoln City where we stopped for lunch. The rugrats colored while we waited.

 After lunch, we continued south on the Coastal Highway (and I fell in love) all the way down to Newport. It was SUNNY and HOT and this crew had plans to  hit up the Newport Aquarium.

 This day was momentous as it was the first time Dutch willingly (not really) sat in a stroller for more than 5 minutes.

 Newport  had lots of fun things to see--otters and sea lions were performing while we were there. But the big attraction has to be the serious of three tunnel aquariums that we got to walk through. We were surrounded on all sides by fish, sting rays, sharks and eels. It was really cool, but really hard to photograph.

 I convinced Clem to pose between a Megaladon Shark's jaws by bribing her (and brother, of course) with a stuffy from the gift shop.

 Near the end of our time there, Clem got chosen to be a junior fish feeder and got to drop fish food into the tank below. There was a perfect size window for Dutch to watch from his stroller down below.

We wrapped up Newport and headed back to home base in Rockaway where things were still overcast, but warm enough to be at the beach (and warm enough to drop your shorts if you're two and have adorably chubby thighs.)

 "I can't believe this is my life!" exclaims Clem.

 Our last full day on the coast was my personal favorite day. It was cloudy but still plenty warm to be out and about. We drove up to Canon Beach to Ecola State Park (where much of the movie Goonies was filmed!).

 Can you see Tillamook Lighthouse behind them?

 Then we made a pit stop in town where Dutch nearly OD'ed on pizza.

 But he made a quick recovery and played in the sand.

 Clem discovered "quicksand"

And somehow ended her day with a sand beard.

The next day, we headed home with all five of us (yup, Taco went too!) grinning ear to ear. We had so much fun on our first family vacation. (The last several hours of our trip home were spent telling "piggy stories" in the backseat. These two set my heart a-flutter, honestly.)

Fearless

 

Once upon a time, our girl was fearless. She explored and raced, jumped from tall rocks and stairs. Then she discovered small wounds and became QUITE a rule follower. So much so, that, for a time, we worried about her very little, knowing that if she knew the rule, it was being followed precisely.

 

This little bundle of kindergarten enthusiasm fell off of this playground toy called the Spinner (of doom) out at recess. She came in howling, the same way she does when she scrapes a knee or gets a paper cut or loses a tooth. That morning, I got several phone calls from my friends in the building--Clem's hurt in the nurse's station. And, because she is such a rule follower, I assumed it was something quite small, taking my time to get to her downstairs.

 

But as soon as I got there I saw her arm hanging in a way that defies everything I know about human anatomy. And off we went--paramedics, ER, Children's Hospital. There was surgery and fear but excellent care and a plan. And she did it.

The worst part, she says, was getting an IV stuck in her arm. And she told her doctor's this (several times). Before we left Children's Hospital, the nurse talked to Clem about the reason for the IV and gave  her a little take home kit where Clem could play doctor and needed to set up an IV in her dog and her doll. It helped with that fear and anxiety in a big big way.

 She recovered at home, loving the extra movie time and getting to sleep in my bed. Her class wrote her notes and drew her pictures that she will treasure forever (My favorite: "Dear Clem, I never go on the spinner either. It makes me feel like barfing. Feel better soon! Love A.") And after awhile she was able to go back to school as long as she was being careful (and no recesses!)

This girl's bone had healed so nicely that after just 3 weeks, she got to go back to an almost regular life--no more casts and splints! She misses the cast and she still isn't allowed to play on the playground. She's more cautious than ever but I have a feeling that Fearlessness will be back.

Art

 Clementine has discovered my scrapbook paper stash. Dutch has discovered crayons (they're delicious!). It's pretty much art time around here all the time.

 Clementine typically has a dozen or so project/story ideas brewing and Dutch is happy to listen to each one.

Taco

 Here's the newest member of our little family. Our boy Taco (Clem says HER boy, but you get the point).

 He has a rough life, as you can see. There are only so many laps he can find to spend a lazy afternoon on top of. Sometimes there isn't a lap to be found, so this lazy old mutt will snuggle between the couch cushions, which is almost as good.

First choice, of course will be this girl's lap. His BFF/Trainer (Clem says "Mama") is his first and only true love.

she's distinct all right...

 Clementine was her kindergarten class' Student of Distinction for February. She was crazy excited, although you can't quite tell from these pics. Trust me.

 Each month, teachers choose a student to nominate as one who stands apart either because of progress and hard work or something like being a good friend and helping others.
Clem has gone with me to all the other months' ceremonies (she mostly goes for the cookies afterward) and has celebrated her friends and classmates.

When she was nominated she was thrilled. I wondered what she would think about standing up in front of all those people. The answer was simple: she didn't think about it at all. She didn't bat an eyelash, she did her thing. When the other kids' names were called and the paragraph read about them, she clapped politely. Her own name was called near the end and Cam cheered loudly for his favorite girl. Everyone laughed and she gave him a "be cool," wave.

(Unfortunately as her name was called I was trying to figure out this new camera and missed the paragraph her teacher submitted about her. I know it ended with "She makes our classroom a happier place.")

 Then everyone was escorted over to the risers for a group pic.

 Clem's good buddy came over and gave her a big hug.

What I love so so much about these two group pictures is Clementine's happiness, of course. But also looking at this crowd and seeing students of every color and every ability. I love the diversity of our school.

Winter Wonderland!

 Is there anything better than a surprise snow day?? Anything cuter than a moose-hatted girl and penguin hatted toddler?