Summer berries...

Summer has finally arrived in Portland. Mid to high 20s each day, warm balmy evenings - pure bliss! On Saturday we headed out to Portland's perfect little bit of 'rural' Sauvie Island and went berry picking. It was great fun, and we returned home with enough berries to feed an army. So it's been smoothies, fruit ice cream, & fruit-with-every-meal. I'm even considering making jam!?!

An afternoon stroll...

...with two rambunctious ten-year olds. First up Turtle informed me there was to be "no photos" and accused me of paparazzi tactics. As the first image shows, he clearly has the makings of a professional bodyguard. We proceeded to wander through the immaculately groomed streets of our 'hood, before...

...entering the park. What is it with boys and the need to seek out ledges? Before long we were "off road" and into...

...the depths of the park. I love that in under five minutes walk from our apartment, we can be surrounded by trees. We proceeded to stroll amongst the "skeenary", and concocted a ridiculous story about dogs taking over the world. And as we left... 

...I made a last-ditch attempt to get photographs but failed miserably. Clearly I wouldn't cut-it as a pap, and my children are developing camera avoiding skills which will prove handy should they become pop-stars, or fugitives.

Pecos Bill...

The boys and I have started reading Pecos Bill: The Greatest Cowboy of all time. It's a rip-roaring tale full of adventure, and the mere fact that Pecos was "raised by coyotes" was enough to stop the boys in their tracks. Could that really happen? Well I suppose anything is possible.... Personally, I drew a parallel between a lack of table-manners and "running wild with the coyotes", but elected to keep that to myself for now. 
The end-of-year class picnic was deemed a "great success" by both boys because "all of the food we took was eaten"!?! Oh and they also had a "heap of fun". And as of 3pm this afternoon it will be full speed ahead into the hols!
Image from Barnes & Noble.

Sunshiny sunshine...

Portland has been basking, and I mean basking, in glorious sun all weekend. And with temperatures well into the 70's to boot! With R off on an adventure, the boys and I made the most of the sun with lots of walks, meals al fresco, and general lazing about in the sunshine. Of course plenty of drawings were produced, and we spent this evening sorting ourselves out for the week ahead. School finishes on Tuesday, and then it's full speed ahead into the summer hols. Let's hope the sun sticks around.

Mmmmm...

This afternoon we found ourselves at Saint Honoré devouring ridiculously creamy custard filled pastries. Mmmm....

Overnight camp...

The boy's class have their end of year sleep over tonight. The two elementary classes stay on after school ends, play games, make dinner, build a campfire, and then (weather permitting - it's been really wet) sleep in tents in the school field. Turtle was so excited last night he couldn't sleep, and between the two of them they took enough gear to school this morning to last a week! R and I just hope the rain stays away long enough, and that the boys at least get a few hours sleep.
Image from here.