other adventures

 Little monkey girl, high up on the playground structures.

We visited the Portland Art Museum, which has a visiting exhibit from the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre. The children enjoyed the sculptures and the scale models of the palaces and gardens, and we had a fun moment exploring the pointillist art.

tasting cheeses at the Portland Farmers Market

Mom and Dad bought Sebastian an early birthday present, since they'll be out of the country during November - a Timbers soccer jersey! He was so thrilled.

Popo making Liesl's hair look fancy.

Liesl reading/reciting her Frozen book. She's got the whole thing memorized and will read it to anyone at a moment's notice.

Our little bookworms.

Salmon Butte hike

Another mom's day out hike today! Salmon Butte in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, just west of Mt. Hood. It was 12-13 miles, with more than 3000 feet of elevation gain.  Great company of seven women, gorgeously sunny and clear day, beautiful hike. From the summit we could see Mts Jefferson, Adams, Hood, Rainier, and St. Helens.

Mt. Jefferson, looking south

Mt. Hood

Mt. Adams

Mt. St. Helens

Liesl's first day of preschool

Liesl started at the Helen Gordon Center at PSU on Tuesday this week. She did great. Woke up happy and excited to go to school, picked out a favorite dress (a hand-me-down from cousin Evie!), packed her backback with a nap blanket, extra clothes, and baby Foofoo, and off we went.  We went into the classroom together and explored a bit, then she asked me to stay for the first story at circle time before leaving. So I did, and then she said "bye mama!" and waved goodbye. No tears, no clinging.* It was amazing. I got a little choked up at how big she is getting. Although, for the record, baby Foofoo went to preschool too and kept Liesl company for much of the day.

The teachers reported that she did wonderfully well, playing with the other children, loving the sandbox, touching the guinea pigs, and listening well to directions.

*Thursday dropoff was similarly easy, but at bedtime that night she said, "I wish I didn't have to go to preschool. I wish I could just stay home and you could just stay home."  She was temporarily relieved to know that there would be three home days with mama in a row, followed by a day with Mary and Rowan, before returning to preschool, but I sense that there may be more difficult days ahead.

Mt. Hood hike

On Sunday we decided to venture farther afield and hike on the hills around Mt. Hood. We started at the Top Spur trailhead, made a turn onto the Timberline trail, and walked a couple of miles toward McNeil Point. About five miles in total, gradually uphill on the way in.  The Delloways joined us, which was great.  The views of Mt. Hood were amazing from the top.

Post-hike dinner at Bollywood Theatre in SE Portland. Liesl treated Mary and Rowan to a full reading of her Frozen book, which she has memorized.  Sebastian found a quiet corner to read his latest Burgess book.

Sebastian at soccer