Tag: Portland

Visiting Aunt Laura in Idaho Falls

 

We’d been promising to go see Aunt Laura for months. It just hadn’t happened. And then she’d had a fall and ended up having to have a hip replacement surgery.    So at that point (the surgery happened 2 weeks ago), I knew we couldn’t put it off any longer. It’s a bit of a long journey though – all the way to Idaho Falls – so I planned on staying a few days.

Once we got there, we hung out with Laura a bit (Daniel didn’t come as he has a deadline; I was mighty impressed with myself that thanks to my amazing new GPS I was able to – with confidence – drive all the way by myself to her home).  We spread the drive out over 2 days (even though non-stop it would have taken about 11 hours) and the kids were amazing.  I was actually dreading it, truth be told, but in the end it was really nice and I was extremely proud of my achievement.

The first day Jayden swam in Laura’s pool; he loves it there and Ethan ran around the apartment like the lunatic he is (well, crawled; he’s almost walking – been cruising for months).  The next day we went to the Funland Amusement Park, which is really close to her home; she’d been telling me about it for a long time, probably trying to encourage me to come visit.  It was not so age-appropriate for Jayden, (and certainly not for Ethan!) but there were some things he could do. He definitely wasn’t interested in the three rollercoasters, but there again, I don’t think he’ll want to do it even when he’s older!  He’s just that kind of personality.

We were there the whole day and at one point it start drizzling a bit so we went inside and Jayden loved the Ten Pin Bowling.  I actually went on the slot machines for a bit which really took me back – I used to love playing on them years ago.  We had a yummy lunch and there were lots of things to do at the restaurant for Jayden and Ethan.  In fact, I think that was the best part of the day!

Anyway the most important reason for our trip was to see Laura and she indeed was delighted we’d come.  The next couple of days we were there the kids watched movies and played with the few toys she has for her grandchildren and Laura and I really hung out. It was good to see her.  I shouldn’t leave it so long; as a kid, growing up, she was always so good to me and I’m glad I (finally) made the effort to see her.

Getting Ready for the Weekend

I’m looking forward to the weekend.  I know it’s only Thursday and I still have another day left of work (I’m a content writer for an Internet company) but still, I like to plan ahead for fun things.  So I think on Saturday – weather permitting – I’m going to let Daniel rest (he’s been working so hard on his video projects recently) and take the kids and Galvin to Brush Prairie Dog Park on NE 149th Street. Measuring over 10 acres, I love the space here, and, to me, it is everything awesome about Portland – the greenery, the freshness, the environment preservation factor – it truly is awesome. And Jayden loves hanging out there – especially as I usually bring his favorite snacks.  Sometimes some of his buddies from preschool go there too – there are a lot of dogs in the area and we really do love to frequent this park.  We also get to choose from two different parks for Galvin – one for bigger, more assertive dogs and the other for somewhat shyer, smaller dogs.  Galvin often goes to both!

In the afternoon maybe we’ll just do a movie for the kids and I’ll get to read the weekend papers.  That, or Daniel will build something with the boys – or at least with Jayden – while I try to stop Ethan from destroying it all!

Basically I’m planning and hoping for a mellow, getting back to nature weekend.  So we’ll see what happens in actuality. As the old adage goes, “man plans and God laughs!”

Portland Crime

 

Generally things in Portland – and especially in my residential, suburbia neighborhood – are nice and quiet and that’s how we like it, especially with the little ones.  But of course, as we all know too well unfortunately, no city is completely crime-free. 

I know that crime exists, and I also know that there are very sick people everywhere.  But I guess I hadn’t heard about the two men who had been accused of sexually molesting little boys.  That really hit home, especially given that I’ve got two boys of my own.  Anyway apparently they were arrested a year ago but sentencing was only passed just now at the US Federal Court, Medford.  They got pretty substantial punishments, so that was at least something.  It seems they will be in prison for more than 25 years and then, after that, will have a 20-year term of supervised release.

Still, I like to focus on the nice things about where I live and this was a bit unsettling.  I guess that’s why – as much as I can – I avoid the news. But Daniel happened to be reading the local newspaper and I saw him look a little troubled so I asked him what it was about.

Let’s hope there’s some good news to counter this in the next few days.  Sorry to have been a bit of a downer today…hope you are privy to some nice news, wherever you are.

 

 

Finding a Pediatrician

Thankfully my kids are rarely sick. During the winter months they’ll of course pick stuff up from play-dates and pre-schools and get the odd sniffle or two, but other than that we hardly ever have to see a doctor. Oh, apart from the fact that Ethan sometimes teethes so bad, we often mistake it for something more. Still, Daniel said it was high time we find a pediatrician for the kids and I knew he was right.

So I checked out Pediatric Associates of the North West with which I was really impressed. From green-based clinic services (which is definitely my philosophy) to a whole slew of medical advisers, pediatricians, practice nurses and more, this is really going to be a great and easy option for my kids if/when the need arises.

Ethan and The Dog

One thing I’ve forgotten to mention so far in this blog (and don’t tell Daniel – he won’t be pleased) is our dog Galvin.  The reason Daniel will be less-than-happy is because he sees him as “the first born.”  And, in a sense, he’s right.  Galvin was a rescue dog we found as a puppy when we were engaged (he was sooo cute; “he still is,” I hear Daniel yelling in the background) and he’s been with us ever since.

Anyway, sometimes I do feel a bit bad about my neglect of Galvin since having the kids.  He used to blink and I would think he was a genius.  Now I hardly even notice if he’s thrown up a hairball! So yesterday I decided that first Ehtan, Galvin and I would take a long walk (yes, Ethan still fits in the Ergo Baby Carrier – knowing he’s my last kid I just can’t seem to give it up yet).  I left Jayden in Daniel’s office to watch Toy Story 3 so the three of us could bond. It was a beautiful, sunny – somewhat crisp – d y as well.

After a while it looked like Galvin was getting a bit tired from the walk so we got home and went into the car to buy Galvin a toy.  I figured he deserved something nice.  The kids are always getting new stuff.  So I checked the Internet for local dog stores and went along to All For Paws.  I chose some really cool stuff for him there – actually, it was him who chose the stuff; he went over to the toys and treats he liked and stayed in place for a while so I picked them up for him. 

Now I don’t need to feel bad for putting him in the kennels when we go to Daniel’s parents for the weekend. Besides, they look sort of nice to me from the site – maybe he’ll even have a good time and feel more spoiled there!

Here’s to a grand weekend for us all!