Trio

Although it is the end of the summer, this camp chair built for two was too fun to pass up.  Franny and Cole love it—it quickly has become part of the gear that they haul out of the garage whenever they play in the front yard.  I already have my eye out for one built for three for next summer.

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Auntie Noelle is finally starting to get the smiles from Delaney! I predict there will soon be three vying for her attention. But, I know she wouldn’t have it any other way, which is probably why they all adore her so!

Sweet Delaney, now three months old, has lost nearly all her hair and now her eyes are starting to change color. I can’t wait to find out what she is going to look like!

Today, hot weather left a beautiful, warm evening—perfect for joining the huge crowd that gathered to view the Vaux Swifts’ descent on the Chapman School chimney. We went early (probably a little too early for three young kids) with a blanket and picnic dinner in order to have an ideal viewing spot. It was quite the event—right at dusk, thousands of Vaux Swifts gathered overhead prior to circling and diving into the chimney where they roost each night. I find it absolutely fascinating that all these birds find this one chimney in Portland, Oregon during their migration from British Columbia to Mexico. It was definitely worth the trip, despite the chaos three impatient kids can create, and one we plan to do again next year. It was truly an amazing sight!

Last week, Franny was given her first homework assignment—a concept she was not overly impressed with. Once she started the process, however, I think she did enjoy it. She was to look through magazines, cut out pictures that begin with the letter A, and make a collage out her findings. Surprisingly, examples were scarce (she went through 5-6 magazines), which made it a little tedious for her, as it was the first week. She did come up with alligator, apple, almonds, asparagus, armadillo, and arm. Pretty good, I thought, although I think her favorite part was using the scissors and glue stick!

Cole and I haven’t had much one-on-one time since Delaney was born, as she has really monopolized my time, as well as both my hands! Until recently, I used the time Franny was in school for Cole’s classes. But with Franny going one more day, as well as us scaling our classes back a bit, we have some additional time together. I am looking forward to having this unstructured time with Cole, where we will be able to get out and do things without being limited to a typical routine. For us, it’s a different way of using some of our time together, but I think it is going to be a positive change.

This morning, we headed to the Zoo to check out the new Predators of the Serengeti exhibit in Africa. It was very impressive—Zawadi Mungu, meaning "gift of God," is the male of the zoo's new lion pride. He accompanies Kya and Neka, two females, in the exhibit. We saw all of them roaming around and climbing the landscape. The waterfalls and immense boulders backing up against green space really give the exhibits a remote and serene atmosphere. It was fun to just have Cole (and a napping Delaney), as I could really see his reactions and talk to him about what he was looking at. We went at a slow and methodical ‘Cole pace’, and he led our way. It was a really wonderful morning. I can’t wait until our next adventure!

Franny has had a sleeping bag for a couple of years now, which comes in very handy when we go to Sunriver; besides being fun, it makes a strange room immediately familiar.  I looked for a similar one for Cole, without success.  So instead, I surprised him with this big, plush Cars blanket.  He was quite impressed, to say the least!   It didn’t help him sleep—the kids were up late every night giggling until we had to finally separate them.  But, it was special for him, which was the point.

Cultus Lake is another special place we try to go during our summer retreats to Central Oregon.  Although we initially decided to forego it until next year, since Delaney is still so young, in the end we were unable to resist.  It was worth the trip.  Delaney enjoyed stretching on the beach while the kids played in the swim area; we went for a walk through the near-empty campground while a distant thunderstorm threatened rain.  Fortunately, it stayed far enough away where we were able to enjoy the thunder without getting wet.  Special times at a special place.  Definitely, our One Particular Harbor. 

Sometimes the best traditions start in random and unexpected ways. For us, taking pictures in front of this bridge in Drake Park started in 2005, during Franny’s first trip to Bend. Since then, our annual trip(s) to Central Oregon has come to include taking family pictures here. We don’t always get the best shot—it is difficult to capture the best of all three kids at the same time. Regardless, we try and usually get one that is pretty good. After five years, it is more about the tradition, anyway. It will be fun to see our pictures in sequence as time goes on. Although everything we do together is special, there is something about Central Oregon that brings us back year after year, and we make wonderful new memories every time time we go. It’s our tradition, and it's very special to all of us.

Over the course of the summer, Franny has really started to enjoy riding her bike. Our long driveway is perfect for doing small loops, but with all the hills in the neighborhood, the only other option is to load the bikes up and make an afternoon or morning of it. Although we really enjoy it, that kind of commitment to one type of activity is sometimes a lot to ask of young kids. Our recent trip to Sunriver, with all the paved trails, was a great place for her to be able to venture out on short bike rides and master her skills. We stayed on a small loop that was perfect for her to do just that. I look forward to a lot of family bike rides next Spring and Summer, when we all be able to ride together again. I’m sure, Franny will lead the way!

This week, Franny started in the Dragonfly classroom. Although in the same school, it is definitely a more structured routine, and much more is expected of each student. She actually has weekly homework! Nothing intense, and in fact a rather fun project, but still—she’s only four years old! Her first day, she was definitely excited, but still very anxious. My attempts to take a pictures were visibly causing her more angst, so I resisted and let her start her day with only the usual hug, before I went on my way. She had a great time, and was also happily reunited with a few of her friends that moved up at the start of the summer. It will be a fun year for her, I am sure. But, at the same time, I am sadly aware that this is the last year that she will be a carefree preschooler. Whoever said time flies, sure was right!

This little boy seems to have switched places with Cole. This guy, handsome and charming though he is, does not nap consistently, says No! way too much, uses the bathroom (although again, not consistently), straps himself into his carseat, is very particular about what clothes he wears, will only hold Franny’s hand to cross the street, and will not comply with hug and kiss requests.

If you see our Cole, please send him back to us. We do like this young boy a lot, and he does act quite a bit like our BC, but he is a bit too old. Our Cole is only two years old and we miss his little boy ways. We couldn’t possibly have blinked so long that Baby Cole is gone…