Weekend on a Budget!

It's been a little crazy around here and as you can tell from yesterday's post, I'm having some stressful things happening in my life so I've been blogging a little less lately. My way of dealing with stress is to retreat and become more of an introvert than I usually am.

With the nice weather, the boys and I have been enjoying some time outdoors. I thought I'd share a few fun things with you:

Last week, I went with Nate's class to Scienceworks in Ashland, Oregon. It was a great time with about 30 third graders! Scienceworks is a great hands-on science museum with exhibits perfect for kids. Nate specifically loved the 2-liter pop bottle rocket that you filled with water and air then shot into the air. He also really liked the room where you could make a giant bubble around you. If you haven't been, this is a "must-go" attraction. Close to Klamath, affordable, and a great way to spend the day.

Nate playing at Lithia Park in Ashland

If you go to Scienceworks, I recommend taking a picnic lunch at Lithia Park in Ashland. Beautiful! So many trees, a river running through the park, and great play structures. My only warning....poison oak is everywhere so stay on the trails (except obviously in the play area).

This weekend marked the opening game of our local baseball team, the Klamath Falls Gems. While not a league game, it was still fun to go. We are not a baseball family....in fact most of us think the game is incredibly boring. However, I will say going to a game like this is super fun. First, it's cheap! Second, if you don't like baseball, they have enough other things like visiting with friends, being outside enjoying beautiful weather, and fun promos that the kids (and you) can participate in. For example, pitch groceries into a grocery cart for a gift certificate, dancing to twist and shout during the 7th inning stretch, and watching adults play the "dizzy bat" game. Even if you're not into baseball, go to a game once! You might just like it!





And of course, our family favorite...fishing. With all the water around Klamath, you can quickly and easily get to a fishing spot. Our usual favorite is Topsy Reservoir:

Marcus poses at Topsy Reservoir

This weekend was Oregon's free fishing weekend (meaning no license needed) and we decided to go elsewhere. We headed out to Gerber Reservoir (about 45 miles from here). The water was low and we didn't catch anything but we still had a great time!

Here's my self portrait doing my favorite fishing activity (see the kids down at the water, me reclined in my favorite chair with a great book!)

We took Marc's friend Martin. These silly boys love to flex and so were more than happy to pose for a photo.

The boys and their "gun show"

And again (trust me, there's even more than this but I'll just share these)

Silly boys!

When we got back from Gerber, I took Nate for his first motorcycle ride. I was a nervous nelly but we just went around the block at about 25 mph. Yikes, he loved it!!


Love time with my boys! Not a bad weekend on a budget! I figure I spent about $18 on gas, $16 on tickets to the baseball game, and about $10 on food/snacks out to fishing.