I am happy to say that our family made it through the first full-blown tax season with flying colors. Rachael and Josef were such champs; so good-natured and supportive while I was gone for so much of the spring. The filing deadline came with great fanfare and we got back to regular life. The first thing I did on my first day off was ride Josef to school on our tag-a-long bike, a morning ritual from the past year that I miss dearly. I could hardly pull myself away from his preschool; watching him and his friends play was such a delight. I have been so absent from his life! It is amazing to see how much he has grown just in those 3 months. He is now so adept at climbing and tumbling, at coloring and drawing, and an even more articulate speaker. He and his little chums can sit and have a bona fide conversation.
We spent nearly every Friday afternoon in May and June at the Downward Dog, basking in the sun on the patio and listening to Uncle JD spin some hot tracks. Many school friends would join us, and sometimes it seemed the youngsters outnumbered the college students. It was nice to have a place where the parents could all gather and have fun while the kids ran around. Someone needs to open a brew pub/playground in Corvallis, they’d make a killing!
Rachael and I got away for TWO nights together in Portland after tax season, which was a real treat. Thank the stars for grandmas and aunties! The weather was perfect for strolling around, we had a suite with a kitchen and a balcony so we could lounge around snacking and relaxing. We went out dancing with some pals and stayed up late listening to records. What a feeling!
Other highlights include a return visit to Dozer Days where Josef got to drive huge backhoes and bulldozers, a trip to a Renaissance Faire up with his friend Sia, an awesome picnic at a funk concert on a warm night in Avery Park, and a Michael Kiwanuka concert. We ended the spring with a nautical-themed birthday blowout for Rachael up in Portland, followed by a private karaoke room. Dang, now that I’m looking back in this, we had an action packed spring! I guess we had lots of fun to catch up after that long haul through tax season.
I’ve really been enjoying his developing art skills. I am now the stereotypical proud parent, eager to show off his scribblings to anyone who will humor me. Naturally I have included a few of my favorites below. In addition to the adventures above, you will also see some photos from Easter and his trip to visit Utah cousins with his two grandmas, and of course just lots of pictures of a cute four-year-old.
