city adventures

On Saturday we had a fun city day - parked at the Birch trailhead of Forest Park and walked along the Wildwood and Balch Creek trails down to NW 23rd Ave. It was about 4 miles, mostly downhill, and although the children were not initially enthusiastic about the idea, they had a grand time playing a pretend game the whole way (Liesl was a dog, I believe).  We ended up having lunch at Boxer Ramen and then enjoying the new-for-July berry flavors at Salt and Straw. Steve and I got a tasting flight - four scoops! - and it was delicious. Then we hopped onto the streetcar and rode it over to PSU - got there just as the farmer's market was closing, in time to buy some cherries but not much else. We took the streetcar back across town and then, as energies were flagging, called for an Uber to take us back up hill to our car. The children were delighted by the streetcar ride and the Uber - Liesl in particular was beyond thrilled to be buckled into the backseat without a carseat or booster seat.

We arrived home and I was beat - also feeling a sugar low, undoubtedly - and sprawled out on the floor. But the kids decided to try and sell some Oz popsicles out on the street corner, which was absolutely hilarious.

Popsicle stand 1 from B. Avery on Vimeo.


Popsicle stand 2 from B. Avery on Vimeo.


Today I met up with four mama friends for an early hike in Forest Park - 8 miles, looping around on the Saltzman Rd, the Maple trail, the Wildwood, and the Leif Erikson. It was good to be out together for a few hours getting some fresh air and female conversation. I was home before noon and then took the children swimming at the community center pool - Liesl has always been enthusiastic about the water, and she is especially eager now to try out her new skills. She does front and back somersaults and cannonballs and does handstands under water and treads water... it's delightful. Sebastian too has been newly enthusiastic about trying out his back float and improving on his underwater front kick. It's fantastic.

After swimming, I took Liesl to see Finding Dory at the theatre. She was very excited to go, and thrilled to be in the big theatre with the comfy big seats, and impressed by the previews... but then she got nervous and scared. It was too loud for her and the parts with narrative tension just made her more and more anxious. So we left, which was fine. We will try again on another day.