Category Archives: Portland

Post-Halloween, Election Day Hangover

Today is election day in America – a day that we’ve been discussing (or talked to) for about two years now. And since I am not yet a US citizen, I can’t even vote. So my eyes, ears and brain have been bombarded with political campaigning for no reason at all. Instead I’m relying on my husband and friends to vote on my behalf. So, if you haven’t voted, go out and do it today.

End of Public Service Announcement.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming – which, admittedly, hasn’t been so regular lately.

Halloween was on a Wednesday this year, which makes it the most inconvenient day of the week to have your kids hopped up on sugar. Still, we made the most of it, first with a parade through the school. In past years the weather has worked in our favor so the parade took place around the school grounds. This year, however, the skies opened and 400 kids squeezed through the school corridors while parents stood against the walls with cameras in hand ready to catch a glimpse of their child for that all-important Halloween costume photo op.

Popular costumes this year included every type of Superhero imaginable and also Harry Potter (my own included).

And, yes, that’s a Hermione standing next to him. It’s like we planned it.

Kei and I just finished reading the first Harry Potter book to the boys (well, to Thomas. Samuel would sit in the corner and flip through his own reading material). We finished the book at 3:30pm on Saturday and started watching the movie at approximately 3:35, managing to only skip one part because it was too scary.

Samuel dressed as a Jedi in a robe that he received for Christmas last year paired with Thomas’ Karate gear. Unfortunately lights sabers were not allowed at school, but I think he still looked convincing.

Can you feel the chaos?

After the parade, I made my way back and forth between the two classrooms to participate in the festivities. The two classrooms are at opposite ends of the school and on different floors, so I also managed to sneak in a little cardio.

Later that same day, it was time for a costume refresh and a little Trick or Treating. You’ll notice that Harry managed to develop a scar on his forehead for authenticity and that the Jedi is now fully loaded (and very serious).

Kei impressively pulled together a Ninja costume in about 10 minutes by strategically tearing up an old black T-Shirt. Thomas declared him the craftiest Ninja ever.

Despite the fact that I had vowed to not wear a costume this year, I found myself pulling out the striped tights. I couldn’t help myself. (our neighbor took this picture)

We stopped by our neighbor’s house for our annual fill-the-kids-up-on-pizza-before-candy potluck and then, because my witch shoes don’t allow for long walks around the neighborhood, I headed home to hand out candy.

This group of trick or treaters were told they couldn’t have candy until they let me take a photo. Don’t worry, I know their parents.

I love Amelia’s effort to get into the picture here.

By the end of the night, Harry was starting to look a little disheveled and both kids were exhausted – both signs of another successful Halloween.

Mother Nature’s Payback

…we’ve been rained-on. A LOT. I mean, we were bound to have a wet October after a beautifully long summer, but this record rainfall is ridiculous. And, I know that the weather on the East Coast makes our situation pale in comparison and I sound awfully whiny, but I could do with just a teeny tiny bit of sunshine. Too much to ask?

After a full season of sunny soccer games, our last game showed us what we’d been missing out on. Apparently this is how real soccer is played. A certain seven year old was not impressed. Being the mother-of-the-year that I am, I told him he was born in Oregon and this is pretty much how it will be every year from now on so he should try to suck it up and enjoy a chance to play in the mud.

I said this from under my big golf umbrella.

Samuel seemed to enjoy it until he fell in the mud. Unfortunately mother-of-the-year forgot to pack spare clothes.

At least I had something pretty to look at…

… while I wasn’t watching the game intently, of course.

And, to prove that Mother Nature doesn’t discriminate. Here is what it looked like at Samuel’s game a week ago.

I spent the rainy afternoon editing soccer photos to share with the teams and came across this one that reminded me of a sunnier, happier time.

Sorry, I know we had a good Summer and I should be grateful – and I really was dealing with this change in the weather quite well.

But then some big jerk went and stole our golf umbrella after my husband put it down during a visit to the library with the kids and I lost all of that early-Autumn spirit. Seriously? Stealing an Umbrella during a torrential rainstorm in Portland? I know there’s a lightening bolt out there with his or her name on it.

Good thing Halloween is tomorrow. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I’m hoping I’ll generate enough “spirit” to carry me through the next few months of rain.

And, while I’m being all optimistic, I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to my Sister-in-Law Emma. Thank you for having your birthday on Halloween so I never forget it. It was very considerate of you. 🙂

 

Autumn is Here… And I’m Not Resentful

I have been known to resent the onset of Autumn weather. As the leaves begin to change and the rain starts to fall, it’s hard not to think ahead to at least four months of gray skies and being stuck in the house with two energetic boys when the weather is at its worst.

But this year is different. Portland was blessed with many, many days of sunshine well into October and the strangest thing happened… I actually felt myself looking forward to the rain and chill of Autumn. Of course, the fact that we made it through the majority of the soccer season without the need to wash mud-soaked socks, helped increase my level gratitude and I am secretly dreading the next few weeks. But, even still, I find myself yearning for a lot of things that come with colder weather, including:

  • Not always feeling like we should be doing something to make the most of the great weather (I don’t need the guilt trip)
  • Watching movies with the kids on rainy weekend days – we’re trying to finish the first Harry Potter book so we can watch the movie together before Halloween (a hint about Thomas’ costume…)
  • Warm mulled cider and wine
  • Wintry comfort food
  • Autumn color
  • Green grass
  • The rain that will wash away the thousands of spider webs that currently crisscross our yard (although resenting the fact that those spiders are now finding a dry place inside our house)
  • Clothes that cover up the rolly parts of my body
  • Days off work in November and December

To officially kick off the season on the weekend, we made our way to the Portland Nursery for their apple tasting festival…

—where Samuel practiced his monster walking pose (it was actually a whiny request for a hug).

…Thomas bowed to a few shrines (I think we need one for the backyard – the kid knows how to get his zen on)

…and, of course, ate more pieces of apple than our tummies could handle, washed down with some strudel and ice cream.

Before leaving, we bought about 12 pounds of apples at 99c a pound. I should probably learn how to make a pie or something.

Autumn – bring it!

Life.

Life and lack of motivation have both been getting in the way of blogging lately. I realize it’s usually “wordless” Wednesday, but I’ve been experiencing an overwhelming lack of words lately so here are a few random midweek updates.

  • I’ve discovered that both of my boys like to read by themselves at night before turning the lights off. And it’s hard for me to say no when I grew up doing exactly the same thing. (Secretly, I’m happy about it but don’t tell them that).
  • I am reading the first Harry Potter book to Thomas which is fun for both of us and may have started a new obsession (and inspired this year’s Halloween costume)
  • Also, I suspect that Thomas may be part monkey.

  • Samuel has also started a new obsession (for him) – Star Wars. May the force be with us.

  • Samuel’s class performed a Japanese bunny dance/song for the parents last week. Pretty darn cute.

  • Samuel is settling in well at school, although we’re starting to realize that starting school and soccer at the same time might not have been a wise decision. There have been a few meltdowns during drop off with at least two occasions where I’ve had to peel him off me so I could make a quick getaway. Not the most pleasant start to the day.
  • On the up-side, he loves learning Japanese and has been proudly counting from 1-10 (ichi, ni, san…) and singing the same songs over and over and over again until we finally have to ask him to stop.
  • Kei spent last week in Toronto on a work trip so I took over his “Little Kicker” coaching duties. In a word, exhausting. It takes a lot of skill and patience to hold the attention of five 4-5 year olds for a 45 minute game while also trying to get your own reluctant four year old in the game with the other eye tracking your seven year old as he keeps himself entertained. Needless to say, there are no pictures. But here’s one from last week…

  • After months of sunshine, autumn looks to have descended upon Portland. With it comes plans for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Part of me is excited while the the rest of me is a little terrified of the busyness that comes along with lots of plans.

  • And, finally, I was inspired by this article about putting yourself in the photo. I realize that when I put together our 2012 photo book, that there will be very few pictures of me on the pages. I’m starting a new leaf with this photo. (taken with incredibooth for iphone). More to come – although they won’t all be posted here. Baby steps.

Why Soccer is Better Than T-Ball (Photographically-speaking)

While Thomas played T-Ball last year, I managed to capture many photos of him in the midst of the following activities:

  • Running to First Base
  • Holding his bat
  • Occasionally hitting a ball
  • Standing
  • Waiting
  • Waiting
  • Waiting

And all through a fence. It’s safe to say that you have the t-ball photo opportunities pretty much covered after game 1.

But get me next to a Soccer field on an unusually sunny September day or evening (thanks crazily unseasonable Portland weather), and the possibilities are endless.

Lots of kicking…

Plenty of running…

Mid-air shots – they rarely happen in T-Ball.

I know this one is out of focus but… GOAL!

Sure, there may be a little waiting around…

and a few quiet moments with the coach…

…but there’s a lot more of this.

and this…

and this…

and, thanks to Little Kicker games at sunset, even a little of this…

Yes, I think it’s decided. I much prefer being a soccer mum than a t-ball mum, photographically-speaking anyway.

Happy Weekend!

We’re looking forward to one last long weekend before school starts. On the agenda:

  • Adding final editing touches to some special wedding photos
  • Organizing a few small sections of our house – I’m tackling it bit by bit
  • Hanging some art. I purchased a couple of prints from a local artist and plan to buy some frames this weekend and then work out where to hang them. I am also determined to finally print some of my own photos to fill our blank walls. We’ve only been here almost seven years, it seems about the right time to decorate
  • Visits to Target (for school supplies and 7th birthday presents) and Ikea (likely for a bunch of stuff we don’t need, oh and frames) – thrilling, I know
  • Catching up on season 1 of American Horror Story before season 2 begins. Looks creepy and weird which is right up my alley but I’ll definitely have to wait until the kids are in bed
  • A get-together with new school friends and old school friends and their parents
  • And, I hope, lots of gardening and playing and popsicle-eating.

What’s on your weekend agenda?

Last Days of Summer

It’s been over a week since I last posted for one simple reason – we’re busy! The new school year is almost upon us and, for the first time, both Thomas and Samuel will be attending the same school. You’d think that would make our lives a little easier right? Nope. Thanks to some issues with after school care, we’ll be juggling car pools and alternative childcare. I’m also a little worried about how my brain is going to retain school information for two children. It’s a new world.

Sure, it hasn’t started yet, but we’re already neck deep in paperwork and school supply purchases and orientations. Oh, and did I mention that I don’t have childcare this week? That’s right. I managed to do some creative child-swapping to cover a couple of work days and took two days off. In short, I’m exhausted and it’s only Thursday.

But, enough of my whining. We’ve also been having some fun in the midst of the craziness. A few highlights from my iphone…

We rode our bikes to the farmers’ market on Saturday. Soon after we arrived, batman was spotted running across the quadrangle.

And climbing the play equipment.

Thomas shot a couple of hoops

A friend joined us yesterday for a trip to the Rose Garden playground.

Taking a break…

A little stop on N Mississippi on the way home included lunch, frozen yogurt and a browse through a couple of shops. More pleasant than you’d think with three kids in tow. It was fun looking at the quirky objects for sale in the stores. I also enjoyed having a girl around so we could marvel at frilly vintage dresses together.

On the way home we happened upon some filming taking place in the next street. Of course I had to go over and take a closer look. As suspected, they were filming a little TV show that I won’t name here as I may give away a plot point or two. Hint: Thomas said it wasn’t very nice of them to be making fun of Portland.

I had four kids today, including my own, so we took a trip to the zoo.

We saw Pygmy goats!

and Beavers! (points if you can spot the Beaver)

and Cheetahs!

and Lions eating Buffalo!

Apart from the fact that I almost lost one child to an eagle during the “Wild” show, it was a very successful adventure and a great way to enjoy the last days of Summer before the real work begins after Labor day.

You can view my iphone photo stream on my Tumblr account here: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/nicoleishida or follow me on instagram, username nicolei.