Over the River...

...and through the woods to grandfather's house we go...

After I drag the sleeping bags and picnic stuff out of the attic...
After I pack up Josh's suitcase...
After I pack up everyone's toiletries...
After I pack up the camera, laptop, and everything else...
After I clean out the car...
After I stop by a friend's house to pick up something...
After I get gas...
After I grab some drinks, snacks, and lunch...

We're heading 2 1/2 hours south to Papa's house in Portland. We'll spend Saturday and Sunday with my father, my grandmother, and my aunt. My father went grocery shopping with the kids in mind, bless his heart. He bought hamburgers, corn dogs, dinosaur chicken nuggets, chips, watermelon, chocolate ice cream, chocolate milk, and oreos. Sound like a kids' menu?

On Monday, we'll be up early as I have to go into downtown Portland to meet someone to pick up our Portland Attractions Pass. Then we return to Papa's house to drive him to the hospital for a little outpatient surgery. Once we return him home to the comfort of his bed, we leave to check into the hotel and join our school group.

The kids are excited about staying in a hotel...with cable...with a pool. We'll probably eat and hit the pool. Tuesday we are going to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. I've heard great things about it. Tuesday night we'll eat in our room, hit the pool, watch cable, enjoy ourselves. Wednesday we are going to the Portland Zoo. Hopefully, it won't rain; the weather forecast says "few showers". Wednesday night will look like Tuesday's. Thursday we'll be going to the Oregon History Center. I called them and they said our visit is likely to be about two hours. Our group heads home while we head to the Portland Children's Museum. After that, we plan to go out for dinner before hitting the cable TV or pool. Friday we'll check out of our room (we're extending our stay a day) before heading over to the World Forestry Discovery Museum. After a couple of hours there, we'll head home. This is just my idea of a perfect trip...all play and no time to stop and breathe. So much fun!

I'll be blogging in the evenings, probably late, about the day's events. See you all in Portland!