Just because

Close-up

The canoe crew

We headed to the Mall today to do some much-needed shoe shopping. We took a break so Franny could have some fun in the play area. Today was very exciting since it was packed with kids--you could hear the activity half-way down the hall. Franny was laughing, pointing, and yelling even before we could park the stroller and get her shoes off! To top it off, she finally managed to climb into the canoe--this was a new feat for her, which was celebrated with much enthusiasm. So, of course she climbed out, and then in, then out, then in...

And met some new friends in the process...

It doesn't get much better

Dance fever

The last couple of weeks, Franny has started to experiment with her own dance moves. Swaying, bouncing up and down, and moving backwards in small circles are among her current favorites. When I ask "do you want to listen to some music?" she will respond with a big smile, clap, and display one of her moves. Funny girl!

Half-noodled

This weekend, in her continuous strive for more independence, Franny figured out how to take off her own shirt. She was quite pleased with her new skill, repeating it several times after I put it back on--to emphasize her ability to act on her own decision, no doubt!

She wasn't quite as successful with her shorts, although she did try...

Regardless, she was very pleased with herself!

Sliding in Sellwood on Sunday

We had a fun adventure on Sunday morning by taking a walk through Sellwood before the heat became unbearable. We stopped for some playtime for Franny at Sellwood Park, where she took to the slides with extreme enthusiasm. She would climb up to the top of one of the play structures, where here daddy would ask "green or yellow?"--the colors of the two slides she had to choose from. The yellow slide easily won out 2:1, although green had it's moments, as well! I'm rather partial to green and yellow myself!

Puppy power

Yesterday, we set off on our afternoon adventure--to visit Auntie Noelle, Uncle Bill, and the new corgi puppies, just three days old! Mama Hallie was quite patient with Franny, allowing her to get very close and even to pet the little pups. She was very taken with them and it makes me wonder if she understands that they are baby dogs and will grow up to be like the bigger corgis who jump up and shower her mercilessly with kisses on her face!

Rainy day girl

Almost makes me wish for rain...

I'll take it to go, please

This morning I met some friends at the cute new kid-friendly cafe, Sip and Kranz. I had visions of sitting, drinking coffee, and catching up as our toddlers happily played together in the play area. I chose this spot for the the play area, having heard great things about it. And granted, it is the nicest I've seen--beanbags, pillows, new toys, and lots of kid-size things that toddlers love; and the play area is separated by a glass partition, so you can always see what is going on. My only complaint would be that they swap the flat-screen TV for a music system. Regardless, when we got a table adjacent to the glass, I thought that everything was falling into place for an enjoyable morning. Not quite...

For the last 16 1/2 months I have been Franny's shadow--when she plays, I play, when she eats, I eat--basically, everything she does, I do with her--and I love it. But the last thing I want to do is hover over her and make her dependent on me every moment of play time. So, I have tried to give her some time to play on her own, with me looking on and just making sure she's safe, rather than as her shadow. Mostly, I've done this during play groups with other kiddos and at the play structure at the mall. And she seems to love it--it really doesn't appear that she misses me. But today's setting just didn't fit into my comfort zone. Maybe because she's really not at the age where she can play unsupervised, so I really can't take my eyes off her anyway, or maybe because it feels like I'm putting her interests second to mine during her best time of day--sticking her in a glass box so I can sit and drink coffee with my friends. I had a hundred questions for my friends, and a hundred things to say, yet we barely conversed. I would have felt much more comfortable in a park or even my back deck or living room. Maybe it was the glass wall that bothered me--I don't know, but something just didn't feel right. Ironically, though, I think Franny had a great time.

Maybe I'll revisit this one in the future. But, for now, I think I'll stick to our adventures and invite our friends to join us. We'll have plenty of time to have conversations in a few years! Until then, I'll opt for the to-go cup!

Weekend fun

Everything is more fun with Daddy!

Picture not-so-perfect: the sequel

I have been eagerly anticipating getting Franny and her cousins together for a new portrait. Our last attempt was in early December, so I thought we were overdue for an update. I knew it would be difficult with three toddlers, but in my excitement, I thought we could get one that would at least get them all looking in the same direction. And after 45 minutes of chaos, we did get one with them all looking in the same direction--all looking very unhappy. Not wanting to go home empty-handed, with opted for the wallet size, which almost hides their collective discontent. While waiting for our pictures to be ready, I snapped these. Ironically, they could arguably be the best of the day!

Picture not-so-perfect

Fortunately for me, for the most part, I tend to prefer the photos that capture a spontaneous moment, rather than ones that are posed. Saturday night I tried to get a cute shot of Franny and her daddy together. I took 70 pictures (many in very rapid succession) and didn't even get one that could be considered good. Granted, timing is important when taking pictures of a toddler--it was late evening right before bedtime--but in general, it is just hard. I've come to believe, that if I didn't get it in the first five takes, it's a lost cause, and best to just wait for the next opportunity. I should have taken my own advice last night!

Franny's excellent adventure

Friday we joined Auntie Noelle for a very fun morning at the Clackamas County Fair. Franny definitely knew it was going to be a special day when she had her bath and got dressed before breakfast. Deviation from routine is the big give-away in our house! Anticipating a big adventure, she was running around at turbo speed until she finally grew impatient, found her shoes, and brought them to me. Apparently, it was time to go!

We started our day by visiting Auntie's four corgis. For Franny, absolutely nothing can top a dog. However, they weren't quite the same little pups that we had visited on the Fourth of July. They went from being the perfect "Franny-size" puppies to actually being Franny size! A little bit overwhelming, but oh my, what fun!

Next, on to the fair! We didn't have time to see everything, but we did see rabbits, ducks, chickens, roosters, pigs, goats, and sheep. Unquestionably, the favorite was the rabbits and goats. At first, she was calling them dogs (she calls all animals dogs). But then, she realized they were real rabbits, and her little fingers were hopping--doing her rabbit sign--for the duration of our time in the rabbit barn. Oh, what fun that was!

She was not quite as pleased with the pigs:

To be fair, they were very large pigs, not to mention smelling funny, and I would have to say that if this was my first view of a pig, I would feel a little uneasy as well! Yew!

So, we quickly exited the pig barn and moved on to the goats, where she got very excited, and ran up and down the aisles yelling "dog!" There is something about Franny and goats--for some reason, she thinks that they are a very incredible animal.

And that was just about as much excitment as we could take for the day. so, we had a treat and headed home. Franny was asleep within five minutes of leaving. She woke up probably thinking "what a crazy dream!" until she saw her Blues Clues dog Auntie gotten for her at the fair. The two were then inseparable all afternoon. And what a fun adventure it was!

East come, easy go

Franny was very excited to get a balloon at the grocery store. All the way home, she thumped it around the back seat, squeezed it to make it squeak, all the while laughing and chattering to herself. I was amazed it made it home--I thought for sure it was going to pop! Once home, it took all of about 45 seconds to make a quick, but long, journey to the ceiling. It was a stretch, but using the ladder I retrieved it, and then tied it very securely to her rocking chair. Here, it admirably endured an hour of pretty intense play and battery before just the balloon broke free for the ceiling. This time, however, with it's tie still attached to the chair, there was no way to get it back. So, there it safely remains, but is not forgotten.

Jump!

It was Water Safety/Life Jacket Week at Franny's swim class this week. The teacher put them in little life jackets and they floated around on their backs and bobbed in the water--it was quite comical. Franny, however, is not very fond of floating on her back, so the teacher (understanding the daredevil side of Franny) thought she might instead enjoy jumping in the pool with the jacket on, with me catching her. Well, of course this was a big hit with Franny, although she doesn't really jump, but rather falls into the pool. Regardless, the teacher was very impressed, and couldn't wait to brag about having a kiddo Franny's age jump in the pool on her own. We celebrated with a new t-shirt and some strawberries.

Bridge Pedal

Sunday we participated in the Providence Bridge Pedal, which benefits the Providence's Women and Heart Disease Program. We followed the route which covered six bridges and 14 miles. The weather was ideal, the views were beautiful, and the day was incredibly fun. It is definitely not everyday you can ride your bike on Hwy 405, walk along the Marquam Bridge, and take in the spectacular views along the Fremont. But what made the day really special was sharing our ride with Franny's cousins and their families. Again, we were reminded what a great city we live in and how fortunate we are to be close to family where Franny can grow up with her cousins and where we can begin such fun traditions! We're already looking forward to next year!

Franny and her cousins

View from the Marquam Bridge

Franny and her daddy on the Fremont Bridge

Sticky, but so sweet

Yesterday, after an afternoon jaunt to the park, we came home for some cool air and a cool snack. Strawberries were Franny's snack of choice and enjoyed them thoroughly! Good thing she was wearing red, since Mommy forgot the bib!

For Franny

Happy birthday, Grandma. We miss you.


A hundred year old photograph
Stares out from a frame
And if you look real close you'll see
Our eyes are just the same
I never met them face to face
But I still know them well
From the stories
My dear grandma would tell

Elijah was a farmer
He knew how to make things grow
Fannie vowed she'd follow him
Wherever he would go
As things turned out they never left
Their small Kentucky farm
But he kept her fed
She kept him warm

They're my guardian angels
And I know they can see
Every step I take
They are watching over me
I might not know where I'm going
But I'm sure where I come from
They're my guardian angels
And I'm their special one

Sometimes when I'm tired
I feel Elijah take my arm
He says, Keep on going, hard work
Never did a body harm.
And when I'm really troubled
And I don't know what to do
Fannie whispers, Just do your best, We're awful proud of you

A hundred year old photograph
Stares out from a frame
And if you look real close you'll see
Our eyes are just the same

--Naomi Judd, John Jarvis and Don Schlitz

Last look

Well, that concludes my vacation blogs. It was a wonderful vacation, but it is also just as wonderful to be home. We are so fortunate to be a happy and healthy family, and every day is special. I've said it many times before, but it bears repeating--we are truly blessed.

Vacation girl

Why vacation is so special