The secret to six-pack abs (for Hazel AND Mom)

It's tough to be perfect ALL of the time

Stage racing with Ky

Mom had a 3-day bike race in The Dalles and Dad had to work this weekend so Hazel got to come to The Dalles for three days and hang out with Ky. She was pretty psyched. Ky let her drink coffee, after all. (The Hizz took a tumble in the parking lot on Friday and ended up with stitches on her head. Thus, the BandAid.)

Ky not only let her drink coffee, but took her to the most amazing playground in Hood River TWICE. Ky is pretty high up on Hazel's list of Most Favorite People.

Ky loves Hazel as much as Hazel loves her. She also thinks it's pretty funny when people ask if Hazel is her baby. Let's see here...not blonde at all and very blonde with no hair. Hmmmm... Ky doesn't mind. She kind of wants to adopt Hazel.

Hizz is turning in to a bit of a show-off and was all too happy to demonstrate her super human tricks at the rad rental house in Mosier. Luckily, there was no carpet anywhere in the house. It made for easy cleanup, especially after yogurt.

When Mom got home from her bike race, she didn't look so good. Neither did Hizz, as evidenced by the chocolate all over her face.

On the last day of racing, Ky brought Hizz to downtown Dalles to cheer on the races. Hazel dutifully did her job, yelling "YAAAAAAAY!!!" and "GOOOOOO!!!!" anytime the racers went by.

When Mom finished, she said, "Here, have this Clif Kidz Bar. Oh wait, that's MINE!" Yeah, "MINE" is a favorite word these days.

And then Mom and Haze went home, thanking Ky profusely for her hard work and everyone collapsed from exhaustion.

After School Ride with Mommy and Daddy

Hazel took a practice ride tonight on her new bike that she got for Christmas. Her feet need to grow another 2 inches before they touch the ground, so for now she has to ride with some help.
Hazel also loves to ride on the back of daddy's bike, so after work today we rode to the new NoPo food carts and enjoyed a cinnamon roll. We'd say it's a rare treat, but she had one last week too. She really does eat well most of the time, we promise!

More skiing

Mom and Dad would like to apologize for the dearth of blog posts around here. Everyone has been feeling rather craptastic lately, which is to say, not well. A nice virus has been running around the house, slaying everyone in its path.

The Barkers did manage to make it up to the mountain with Aunt Ailey and Uncle Ritchie on Sunday for some sunny spring skiing. Hazel went straight to her favorite place: daycare. No joke, she walked right in, sat in front of the dollhouse and didn't even look up when Mom said goodbye. That's love for you.

Dad broke Hazel free in the afternoon to learn to make some slushy snowballs. Then Hazel managed to cover herself in yogurt on the way home. It was a good day.

Puddle splashing

Uncle Nate and Aunt Marissa gave Hazel a pair of rain boots that are only kind too big instead of enormous (Hazel has itty bitty feet). Hazel, being a prolific puddle splasher, rain boots or no, loves them.

Out and about

Hazel is a busy kid and doesn't slow down for anything. On Thursday, Mom slept through her bike trainer workout, so as penance, she threw 23 lb. Hazel in the bike trailer and towed her behind her 24 lb. cross bike in to the wind. It was enough of a workout that Mom decided that she and Hazel deserved a snack at the food carts.

Mom would like everyone to know that Hazel ate 3/4 of this humongous cinnamon roll. She swears it's true.

On Saturday and (Easter) Sunday, Hazel woke up very early and headed straight for the mountain. They were powder days, after all, and powder days are not to be wasted. Hazel missed out on the skiing- she lived it up in Mt. Hood Meadows daycare for both days. But Mom, Uncle Nate, Aunt Marissa, and Dad could be heard hollering all the way down the mountain, such was their glee.

Being on the mountain for Easter is now a Barker family tradition and one that Mom and Dad are all too happy to keep up. At least the Easter bunny knows where to find The Hizz!