Hitting the Reset Button

Began my Monday morning with too little coffee and one car seat short. Thankfully I was able to stop at Starbucks for the coffee and borrow a car seat from a friend so I could get the kids to daycare. Monday is looking better already.

The weekend was filled with waterfalls, sunshine and snow (all on the same day!), a symphony in the park and a late night finishing the laundry. Pictures to come of course but first I have to get through Monday.

Plans for the day: whittling down the massive to do list sitting on my desk (photo editing, video editing, powerpoint editing), locating a couple of mattresses so my parents have somewhere to sleep during their visit, scheduling a cleaner in advance of the same visit, maybe getting the car washed and arranging a much needed pedicure appointment for my poor neglected feet.

In the meantime, I have these little monkey faces to look at for inspiration.

Like Selling Ice to Eskimos?

The Portland weather finally gave us a little break on the weekend. And when I say break, I mean that it stopped raining for the the first time in about nine months. I know, I know, talking about the weather is incredibly boring but, when you live in Portland and really look forward to the fabulous summer through a miserable, dreary winter and IT DOESN’T ARRIVE, I think you’re entitled to a little complaining. It’s either that or move to Vegas.

And besides, I’m sure this makes my family back in dreary Melbourne feel a whole lot better. See? I’m performing a public service.

When I first suggested to Mayumi that we take a trip to the Japanese Garden, I was a little embarrassed. I mean, isn’t EVERY garden in Japan a Japanese garden? Ha! See what I did there?

Of course not all gardens in Japan are as beautiful as the garden we have here in Portland and ours has views of Mt Hood. So, after Mayumi assured me that she wanted to see it and she had research the garden on the intranet as a place she wanted to visit, we decided to take the whole family.

Visiting a Japanese garden can be a very peaceful affair – water fountains, delicately raked stone gardens, immersion in nature. Of course, visiting with three small children in tow, it is a completely different experience. God thing we had a little scavenger hunt to keep them busy – at least for a while. The person at the garden who thought up that little activity is a genius.

Here’s Samuel checking out the scavenger hunt pictures. He insisted on wearing his Buzz Lightyear hat for most of the morning.

Each time I visit the gardens my goal is take photos that share the beauty of this wonderful place. That’s always my goal but, with kids in tow, it’s a challenge. So I was actually pleasantly surprised when I got home and uploaded my photos from the day. I won’t share them all (because there any MANY) but here are a few of my favourites.

The next photo was taken right before Samuel’s meltdown – an event that severely undermined everyone’s Zen. It’s become a daily occurrence – so much so that I may never feel Zen again.

And then to finish our day off in true Japanese fashion, we grabbed a little rotating sushi for lunch. Oishii!

Wordless Wednesday: Who Needs a Theme Park?

The rides are better in the Ikea parking lot.

Finally Hot Enough for a Little Water Fun

We had such a wonderful, busy, productive weekend and I have so many photos to share. Of course I need to edit them all first (I’m a little OCD on that front) so, in the meantime, I’ll share a quick photo for this week’s I Heart Faces photo challenge of “Water”.

To be honest, when I saw the challenge subject last week I was a little skeptical that I’d actually be able to take a photo this year that fit the bill. While the rest of the country has been baking, we in the Pacific Northwest have been enjoying an extended spring. What that means is rain, lots of rain. Quite frankly, I’m a little tired of the rain. OK, that’s an understatement.

So, when the sun came out this weekend we did what almost every Portland family does at one time or another, we (actually, I) blow up the wading pool and let the children play while the parents relax on their brand new deck.

May I say again, that the backyard deck is possibly the best invention known to man? We tried it out this weekend and it offered everything we had dreamed about and more (more, meaning a lot of mud thanks to a grassless patch of ground where we set up the wading pool).

Mayumi said it best when I offered her a glass of white wine while we sat and watched the children as the sunlight filled the yard – “I am very happy!” Me too, Mayumi. Me too.

He’s Trying to Break Me.

I’m convinced my three-year-old is trying to break me. Underneath that cute exterior is a diabolical mind that is just trying to see how far he can push me until I crack.

Take this morning for example:

I walk into to the bedroom and open the blinds. Child greets me with a big smile and then puts his head back on pillow. I leave room to get dressed. 5 minutes late, same child is in a mess of tears and whining calling for me to come back. I walk back into the room and following conversation take place:

Mummy (M): I’ll get your clothes
Samuel (S): NO! DON’T GET MY CLOTHES!
M: Ok – then you get your clothes. I’m going to get dressed (leave room).
S: MUMMY! I NEED YOU TO GET MY CLOTHES!
M: (grabbing clothes from closet)
S: NO! NOT THOSE CLOTHES!
M: OK – how about these clothes?
S: I WANT BLUE SOCKS! I DON’T WANT YOU IN MY ROOM!
(scene continues for about 10 minutes while I go back and forth between my room and his. Child is finally carried down the stairs to breakfast.)
S: Mummy – may I have a banana for my breakfast please? And some cereal? I love you Mummy.
M: Thank you for asking so nicely. I’ll also get you a spoon (consciously grabbing the spoon with the blue handle).
S: NO! I WANT THE ALL-BLUE SPOON, NOT THAT BLUE SPOON!

I won’t bore you with the rest, but let me assure you that this continued for another 30 or so minutes before I was able to leave the house. Of course when we got to school he refused to go in and after we eventually made it to the classroom, I had to peel him off my leg so I could leave. The whole way down the hall I could hear him screaming “I WANT YOU MUMMY!”.

On the one hand, it broke my heart to leave him in such a mess. On the other, I was grateful that I had this option for both our sakes. I wish this was a one-time event but, sadly, it was the continuation of a rough weekend.

I know he’s going through a lot right now – becoming the middle child overnight must be tough – but where do you draw the line between pandering to a three year old in an attempt to be compassionate and keep the peace, and finally deciding that enough is enough?

And it rained all weekend in Portland. I need a vacation.

Today – I’ll be taking a bunch of pictures and video for work (a good thing) and, apparently, working on my attitude so I can make it toFriday. Wish me luck.

Five Things Friday: The Happy Edition

The sun’s out, the weekend is about to commence – it truly is a happy Friday. Here are five things that made me smile today – including one that should be preceded by a chorus of Angels.

1. Boys who insist on wearing one gumboot and one sneaker to school – and Mums who let them because it’s truly not worth arguing about and, hey, it’s cute. (P.S. Socks are mismatched too)

2. Pixar characters in real life (seen on the way to school)

3. Cuteness that comes in pairs

4. Buskers that literally make you want to dance in the street (I think they were called The Glue Horses but I can’t find them online. Fantastic bluegrass-style. Please leave a comment if you know who they are).

AND, FINALLY (this is where the choir of angels comes in)…

5. A finished deck that’s just inviting me to come and take a seat with a nice glass of wine. (still waiting for the elves to come and finish painting our back room).

Plans for the weekend include more sightseeing around Portland with our Japanese guests – The weather will decide whether we make it to Powell’s or the Japanese gardens – or maybe we’ll be adventurous and try both.

Hope your Friday is as happy as mine.

Wordless Wednesday: The Entertainers

Crowds, Music and Ice Cream: The Mississippi Street Fair

I love going back to work on a Monday knowing that you made the most of your weekend. We had a great time living it up in the Sunshine. Favorite moments:

Group bike ride down to Mississippi ave for the street fair, including Mayumi’s first time on a bicycle in 10 years (and she stayed on!).
Catching the Star Wars Lego windows and Thomas being unable to cotain his excitedment.
Braving the crowds to make it down to Por Que No! (Spelling?) for lunch – and then finding a quieter table in the shade when the live music became just a little too loud (but the band was great).
Buying matching fairy wings for Samuel and Karin (blue for him and pick for her).
Ice Cream!
Sitting with my husband on our NEW DECK on a balmy Saturday evening, sipping beer and catching up. (Note: finishing touches still be made to deck but should be done this week)
FUN photo shoot with a family who won a session in an Auction fundraiser for Thomas’ school. Adorable kids and incredibly friendly parents.
Grocery shopping with Mayumi – she has now conquered her fear of New Seasons. (last week she went by herself and felt so overwhelmed that she left with only a bottle of Orange Juice).
Friendly people at the grocery store who remember Mayumi and Karin from their previous visit.
Playdate/birthday party at the park for one of Thomas’ school friends which included a gathering of parents who speak Japanese.

Of course, I also managed to take a few photographs of the festival, although the logistics of managing three kids (even with three adults) amidst an incredibly crowded street fair made it difficult. Next year I might have to find a little time to go by myself. So many wonderful photo opps that I missed.

Five Things Friday: Things to do With Portland Visitors

Every time we have people come to visit us in Portland, I am reminded of what a great city this is and all the wonderful things it has to offer. Here are five things that we love to do with visitors – and we have a LOT of visitors. Most are obvious (but the best things are), all are family-friendly and most are available year-round, despite the weather.

1. Oregon Zoo

We have paid for a membership to Oregon Zoo for a few years now and it’s one of the best investments we make each year. For the best Summer zoo experience, I recommend going mid-week and at 8am as soon as it opens. There’s nothing quite like walking around an almost-empty zoo and watching them get everything ready for the day. You may even catch a diver cleaning the inside of a sea lion tank.

2. The Oregon Coast Highway 101 Drive

You can’t beat the drive from Cannon Beach to Tillamook (or vice versa). The coastline is amazing and there’s plenty of lookouts to take a break and just breathe in the crisp coastal air. Personally, I love that the coastal rocks remind me of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and that we share the Pacific Ocean with my other two homes – Australia and Japan.

3. Washington Park

A little something for everyone – Japanese Gardens, Rose Garden, Playground and acres of green space and each season of the year offers something new to look appreciate.

4. Portland Farmers’ Market

Thanks to a Farmers’ Market boom over the last few years, they are dozens of markets to choose from all across the city. When we’re feeling adventurous (and ready to face the crowds) we venture to the one that started it all on the North Park blocks in downtown Portland.

5. Downtown Portland Icons

OK, I’m cheating a little with this one but I couldn’t narrow it down to just one downtown Portland location. My favourite places for a day in the city:

Pioneer Courthouse Square – for people watching and, apparently, the occasional techno dance party (as seen last weekend)
Powell’s City of Books – you can literally get lost in there. An hour or so in the children’s book section is a great way to spend a rainy Portland day.
Waterfront park – a hive of activity in the Summer, a wonderful place to watch the Sakura in Spring and a great walking and biking trail year-round.
Finnegan’s toys – If you have kids and want to empty your wallet.

Bonus Summer Activities

Star Wars lego display in the windows of Sunlan (strangely interesting little lightbulb shop) on N Mississippi Ave.
Running through fountains – there are a number around the city. I like Jamison Square (when it’s not too crowded) or even one of the small ones that can be found at many local parks.
Portland Sunday Parkways – streets close down to cars around the city and open for bikes. A great day!

I know I’ve missed some key locations (Hood River, waterfalls, Sauvie Island just to name a few) and, honestly, I’m looking for suggestions while we have visitors over the next few months. Please leave yours in the comments.

Because Nothing Says “Welcome to America” Like Giving a Two-Year-Old a Flammable Object

Mayumi and Karin were fortunate to arrive in America just days before that big, loud holiday we call Independence Day. It afforded them the perfect opportunity to immediately experience some of the basics of American culture – BBQ, Beer and Fireworks.

We hadn’t planned on a July 4th get together (our deck is still a work in progress) but, when our friends canceled their weekend getaway plans, we decided to host an impromptu, low key event in our front yard. Leftover pasta salad, pre-made Kebabs and a little grilled Salmon made it a quick and easy spread for 9, so we were able to truly enjoy each others’ company and the fantastic sunshine.

As much as I want our deck to be finished, there is something wonderful about hanging out in our front yard. It seems if you sit there long enough you will have the opportunity to say hello to every single neighbor at one time or another. Some of them stayed for a Popsicle, others to watch our small (legal and child-safe) fireworks display and then others said a quick hello before moving on to their own July 4th celebration. The best part was that Mayumi and Karin were able to meet nearly everyone without having to endure a big party or millions of household visits. And when they went to the park on their own the next day, they were surrounded by our friends instead of a bunch strangers.

Of course the highlight of any July 4th get together is the fireworks. While our neighbors impressive show (purchased across the border) did not start until after dark, we held our own mini show at the child friendly time of 7pm. Sure, the sun was in the middle of the sky, but fun was had by all nonetheless. And the kids were in bed asleep by 9pm. Perfect!