Spring has sprung?

Remarkably, we have now had six consecutive days with snow! While it has ranged from big fluffy flakes to a wintry mix (I believe this is an Oregon term) there has been enough to create at least a thin cover of white across the yard. The unusual weather has been quite exciting for Franny and fascinating for Cole. This spot in front of the back door has been the prime viewing area for the kids to watch the snow fall and melt. Franny has been in true big sister form, explaining to Cole how the snow falls from the sky and later melts into water on the grass. I love watching these kinds of interaction between them. Even more, I can't wait for later years when they can play in the snow together.

Franny insight

Franny loves excavators. And we have enough construction going on around us that we see them on a daily basis. For a very long time--as far back as when she was using just one word sentences--I have not been on a car ride with Franny without having a discussion about excavators--where they are, what they look like, what they do (excavators dig holes and put dirt in the dump truck!) Without a doubt, she knows exactly which construction sites are using excavators, whether they are the big yellow ones or the little white ones, and if for some reason they aren't where they should be, there is much to be said. If they aren't there, Franny says they're working and if they are there, they are either off or on. Recently, we were on a walk in NW and came across an excavator parked right next to the sidewalk. It was quite exciting, although the size seemed to be a little more intimidating to her when face to face with it. It's funny, I never realized how many excavators there are working in the city until Franny started pointing them out. I always knew that I would learn a lot from the insight of my children, I just never expected it to be regarding heavy machinery.

One more moment

I love Franny's sweet smile. There was many, many days in 2007, where it was only this smile that kept me grounded enough to see me through to the next morning. My life before Franny is such a distant, fuzzy memory that it seems almost unremarkable compared to my life since her birth. I have been gently ribbed by some for the thousands of pictures I've taken of Franny. But every day is new, different, and amazing. To not document every moment possible seems unthinkable, to me. Even now, I can look back just a few months and be astounded at how much she has changed in so many different ways. One of the reasons I love this blog is because I can so easily look back to see both the monumental and random moments that have made her who she is now. Many times, it is the random moments that I linger on the longest and which make me smile, laugh out loud, and cry.

These days, it's a rare occurance that Franny will pose for me. I couldn't decide which picture to post, but after more than 15,000 pictures and 267 blog entries, I figured I'd just post them both. And, a month or a year from now, I am sure that I will be glad I did.

The little shadow

Wherever Franny may be, Cole is sure to be not far behind....

The missing video

Apparently, the trampoline video I posted a few days ago could only be viewed using the Firefox browse--at least, I believe that was what the problem was. So, for those who were unable to see it:

Happiness is two sleeping kids

It's been some time since this has happened. Thanks kiddos--this weary mama really needed a little downtime.


The heavy sleeper


The light sleeper (reason for the distance, as compared to f)

Franny's throne

With Franny less than an inch away from outgrowing her old carseat, we decided it was time to get her set in something more appropriate. The result: this enormous seat (it's even wider than the actual car seat) that she will be able to use with a 5-point harness until she reaches 80 lbs. or 53 inches. Although I know that it is--of course--inevitable, it hard to be imagine little Franny ever being that big. Sigh.

Birthday party fun

This weekend, Franny went to a birthday party for her twin friends. Held at the Oregon Gymnastic Academy, there were lots of fun activities led by their instructors. With 30 kids, it was definitely chaos, but Franny had an incredible time! And it was as much fun for us, to be able to see Franny play with her friends and literally bounce off the walls.

The highlights:


Floor stretches


Jumping into a big pit of foam


The trampoline--HUGE fun


Three of Franny's very best friends

Toddler personae

Joy


Attitude

In Portland, The Sun Also Rises (eventually!)

We took our morning adventure to the zoo, as did an enormous number of other sun-starved families. The crowds, however, did not take away from having a fun morning--we had a great time! In Portland, there is an unquestionable excitement that overtakes the city when the sun starts to make it's appearance after the long, rainy winter. There are few places that can compare with these kind of beautiful days. Everyone gets outside and reorientates themselves with why they love this city, and an anticipation for more sunny days begins to overtake the general mentality. This time of year, even native Portlanders begin to experience limited patience for what can be long stretches of rain-filled days. It is really not unlike polar bears emerging from caves and long hibernations to squint at the brightness of the sun, breathe in the fresh air, and begin a new journey. After not one, but three beautiful days this week, it will be difficult once the rain inevitably returns.

But today, even the animals at the zoo were taking advantage of the opportunity to bask in the wonderful warmth of the sun. Lately, Franny has been acutely focused on zebras, so it was a treat for not just one, but two, to make an appearance; as well as the usual favorites of hippos, bats, monkeys, and elephants. Not only were most of the animals were out, but they were active and interesting to see. It seemed as if even they were impacted by the beautiful day.

Giraffes, zebras, hippos--Franny's favorites


The sea lions put on an impressive show


Two more happy animals... I mean, kids

The subtlety of "almost three"

I have felt guilty over the recent amount of blogging I have done on Cole as compared to Franny. Lately, his rapid development has been enthralling and impressive, changing continuously by the day. However, Franny's development, although visibly more subtle, is no less amazing to witness. To me, using the term special--or even very special--seems inadequate terminology. She has an incredibly vibrant, loving, joyful, and empathetic nature. She makes me very proud of the person she is choosing to become. Her personality has tremendous depth for a person just shy of three years old. And, while she is not reaching those dramatic, initial milestones in rapid succession, what she is achieving has a meaning and implication that is overwhelming to contemplate. Nearly three years ago, Franny arrived into our family and changed our lives. When I think of who she is now at "almost three", I can't help but wonder who she will be a year from now, as well as five, ten, and twenty years from now. And then I think of how blessed I am to be a part of her incredible lifetime journey.

Tough girl

Today, Franny's temperature ranged from 99 to 101.8 degrees. But who could tell? Despite a constant battle to keep her on the couch with books or at least sitting with play-dough or puzzles, Franny was not to be contained and remained her active self playing with Cole and running up and down the hall ("to get a one more book"--she thinks she has me fooled). I don't know how she does it! Toughness (or stubbornness) aside, I definitely hope she wakes up tomorrow at a healthy 98.6!

Six little monkeys jumping on the bed

Franny's playgroup had a great time testing the springs on her friend's new bed. The "jumping on knees only" rule was a tough one for the kids to adhere to, but they did a good job.

My favorite monkey

Fancy Franny

Fancy Daddy reading Fancy Nancy to Fancy Franny

Given to her by her Auntie two weeks ago, Fancy Nancy is Franny's newest favorite book. She is constantly telling us Daddy is fancy!, Cole is fancy! , as well as anyone else who comes to mind. And if there was any doubt about her favoring this book, she took it to Show and Tell at school, and her teacher later remarked how much she enjoyed sharing it with all the other kids. That's our Fancy Franny!

To build a snowman

With Cole napping the morning away, Franny and I ventured out into the morning snow. After taking some time to explore our yard transformed, we decided to build a snowman--Franny's first. She has been quite fixated on snowmen this winter, so she was quite excited about the whole process--right down to choosing his accessories! The noon sun quickly made our efforts somewhat short-lived, but it was definitely a fun activity for us to do this morning.

Row, row, row your boat

This week, the laundry basket became a great boat for Franny and Cole. Ah, such fun on a weekday afternoon!

A new chapter

Cole is fascinated with everything Franny. Her books, puzzles, toys, and food are all first on his list to get to anyway he can. And while there is no question that Franny loves her little brother, as Cole becomes increasingly more mobile and actually able to reach these things, the sibling relationship is reaching one of it's early challenges. It doesn't seem to be so much about sharing as it is about communicating nicely when Cole has invaded her space, so to speak. And, she really is doing a good job. So now, when Cole grabs for Franny, doll, or her breakfast, instead of No, no, no! (emphasis on the exclamation point, here) a frequent phrase heard at the breakfast counter is No thank you, Cole! followed by I need a scoot, mommy! And, while I'd like to say, can't you just let Cole touch Doll? I have to respect the fact that the concept of community property is an unfair request of a toddler and she needs things that are just hers. And, since she really is very sweet with Cole and shares with him so well, being sympathetic to her frustration is not hard to do.

Toddler art appreciation

Today, Franny's playgroup attended an art class at My Masterpiece Art Studio. Although they do have open studio, where you can try your hand at pretty much any variety of art media, we opted for this fun class. For this session, the teacher introduced the kids to the art of Wayne Thiebaud. Very appropriate for kids, since much of his art is of cakes and pies! Then, they gave the kids the opportunity to create their own Thiebaud-inspired "cake art".

Cakes (1963)

For the hands-on part of the class, the kids first used colored pencils to draw their cakes; next, they used bright primary colors to coat the picture, followed by a coat of white to give it the pastel look of Thiebaud's art; then, they used tissue paper cut-outs for plates, cakes, and toppings; and they finished by giving it a dusting of sugar. Mixed media for toddlers--I was quite impressed! I love going places with Franny that introduce her to great ideas and activities that I would never think of. It was great fun!

Cakes (2008)

Unconditional love

Doll has been Franny's dearest friend and playmate for a year now. Especially over this last year, the two have been through a lot, and there is virtually nothing that Franny has experienced that Doll has not, whether it be in reality or Franny's imagination. Although her body is permanently stained from a rub-down with diaper cream (sun screen last summer), her hair is ratty and beyond repair, and her stitching that distinguishes her toes is nearly gone, I firmly believe that Franny sees Doll as new and perfect. I don't know how long Doll will remain Franny's beloved, but I do know that when her time has passed there will be a very special place for her in my Franny memory box.

2008: High hopes