Another blow to my nerves

Today you climbed out the window, shimmied down the roof and ran around on the awning top until dad could clamber out after you and bring you back inside.

Your dad handled it well and even stopped to put on pants before chasing out after you. I, on the other hand (only hearing about this after the fact), am still panicking.

I don't have any grey hairs yet but I think I will name my first one "2-yr-old on the roof."

On blackberry time

We went back to the Frank Estate apartment complex to pick blackberries this weekend. We lived there in 1998 when we first moved to Portland – and now, the grounds are our go-to place for quiet blackberry picking. Plus, there is a fun park nearby with this funny alligator ride.

It was fun to be there and talk to you about our memories. And I realized, it's the only place I've ever lived where I never learned the location of the closest library. I guess we were busy being newlyweds!

Today's treasure find

A heart gem
On top of a heart
On top of wings
On top of the stuffed hedgehog
On top of a hankie
Wrapped around a box
Covered in pink silk
Holding 7 beads and a nickel.

The playroom

This is where we build lots of forts/trains/towers/roads and play lots of legos/trains/dolls/waffle window. 

Rub a dub dub

Rub a dub dub,
Three friends in our wagon
And who do you think they be?
A blue fairy, Shan Yu
And a finger puppet boo
Such a trio is surely Lucy B's.

Home again, home again riggity jig jig

We had another wonderful trip to Utah. The drive was long but oh so much better with you both plugged into idevices and busy with apps and movies. Oh, how I do love technology.

On the way down, we stopped at B and Bonna's for a few hours. It was a short but sweet visit. You both played with THE bucket of toys while we chatted. I don't know how many hours you've spent playing with the same 10 cars, snoopy figurines and rubber anenomes, but has got to be dozens. Afterward Lucy said "B is kind of boring but I love her sooo much."

Our plan was to go down to Angela's and visit the farm for a day or two. But after the long drive to Midway, we lost all motivation to go anywhere and ended up mostly staying put for the week. Anna and Thomas were around and out of school so we got to play with them several times. And we all got lots of much needed grandma time. Pancakes every morning. Swimming every day. A couple of trips to Dairy Keen (The Train Place). Lots of visiting and sweet adventures. Ahh....

Jeremy and I went to Salt Lake to celebrate OUR 15TH ANNIVERSARY! Will we drive 800 miles for a date night? The answer is apparently yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely YES.

We also took you on some adventures to the Hogle Zoo, The Utah Museum of Natural History, and to the Kangaroo Zoo. What a blast. I enjoyed the bouncy castles as much as you did. And, much to your dad's relief, none of us got SARS.

Uncle Will turned 40 this year and threw a big party. We all took a hike (our crew only made it up the trail about 20 yards to throw rocks into a ditch) and then had lunch and games in the park. I'll give you both a B- for the hike, but an A+ for the candy hunt in the sawdust filled kiddie pool. I entered the watermelon eating contest but didn't come close to winning. Oh well. Way to go team FiveCrows!

Eight days later, we are home again to a very hot Portland. Summer is in full swing and the whole city seems to be outside enjoying it. Parks are full. Bikes everywhere. Lots of friends wanting to play.

And so our summer adventures will continue.

Thank you both for being such good travelers. For being open to random schedules and new experiences. For getting along and enjoying your parents so much of the time. And for loving my mom and family as much as I do.

Epic summer, currently underway

(sung to the William Tell Overture)

Drive to Idaho and back 

Summer reading big book stack 

Swimming lessons to and fro 

Through the neighborhood we go

Hike and swim and jump and run

Going to the park for fun

Picking berries, to the beach

How to read, we'll try to teach

A, B C, D E F G and H...

Brm brm brm, brm the cars

Lay down flat and look for stars

Pile in friends for wagon ride

All picnic on the lawn outside

Hood River's really fun

Spend a day in real hot sun

Summer concerts, chores to do

Build a fairy house or two

It's fun, it's fun, its fun for everyone...

Splash pads are really neat

Popsicles our favorite treat

Run the hose for hours and hours

No you cannot pick the flowers

Gardening is fun to do

Horsebackriding, to the zoo

To fireworks and fairs we go

If you're good we'll watch a show

Now please nap, and nap, and nap some more...

Play the iPad, eat some dirt

Fish with Papa, guns to squirt

Dress as queen, and batman too

Paint a picture, add some glue

On the tramp, we jump and jump

Loads of sand, we dig and dump

Grandma hugs, and pony hair

Beads and glitter everywhere

On and on, we go and go and go...

Photos online here

Whatsatsay?