Another Day at the Park

Today was a very nice, relaxing family day. We spent the morning pretty much just lazing around but by about 2pm I started getting an itch to go somewhere so we headed out for a really super duper cool park over by Tigard High School which I've driven by a million times and have been wanting to take Lexi there. This is the type of park that I wish would have existed when I was a child. It's really THAT cool. Lexi enjoyed it there today, but I think she'll enjoy it even more when she gets a little older.

Today was another gorgeous day with temperatures in the 80's and it was just nice to be outside. Lexi had fun, Penny got to play chase with a golden retriever and Seth, Lexi and I then dined outdoors at the classy establishment, Baja Fresh. It was a lovely day.

I love this shot. It perfectly captures Lexi's thrill when Daddy jumped off the play structure. So cute.
Parched Lexi Lu enjoying a refreshing cup of juice. Look mom, no hands!
Lexi kissing the moo cow.
This photo just cracks me up....her mop head, the marching stance, froggie dangling at her side and the serious look on her face. She looks so determined. I think she needs another haircut.

Rotary Trip to the Gorge

Yesterday Trista and I went on a guided trip to through the Gorge with my Rotary club. My club's president is a Geology professor at Portland State University and he led the charge. About 50 of us piled into a Raz bus and off we went. The entire tour lasted from 9am to 5pm, so we covered a lot of ground.

Here's a shot of the east end of the gorge looking towards Hood River. I've driven on the scenic highway many, many times but I have never been on the east scenic highway. This is a view that I've never seen before and I found it breathtaking. To me the gorge is the most beautiful place on the face of the earth and I feel so lucky to live within an hour's driving distance. How cool is that???!!!This is the back of Scott Burns, the club president, during his presentation. Here's he pointing out how the town across the river, Lyle, on the Washington side is in a valley created by two faults pressing against each other. Lyle, with it's 300 days of sun, is a town expected to explode with development over the next 10 years.

I've visited the gorge dozens of times but never have I really looked at it from a geology perspective. Yesterday we learned how to "hear what mother nature is screaming at us". We learned how to spot landslides, that the majority of the layers are volcanic basalt and that Missoula floods carved the landscape thousands and thousands of years ago. I love days which are both education and fun.....and yesterday was just that. And top it off, the potluck lunch was fabulous, the people were great, the weather was amazing and I had my good buddy Trista at my side. What more could you ask for?

I had a cute photo of Trista here, but she's requested that I take it down, so being the good friend that I am, I obliged. It was cute though and I'm not sure why she didn't like it, but it means that much to her, then fine! :-)

Bye Dee and Jaya

As most of you have already read, Lexi is no longer being care for by Dee. On her last day there, last Tuesday, the goodbyes were bittersweet. Dee showered her with goodbye gifts of course and Jaya gave Lexi tons of hugs and kisses. I was choking back the tears the entire time. Even though I know that it was right time to move on, it was sad to say goodbye.

Bye bye Grandma Dee! We'll miss you and we LOVE you very much! We promise to call and visit often!
And Jaya, you're such a sweetie. We love you too! You'll always be Lexi's cousin and friend. :-)

On to New Adventures...

Lexi started at her new daycare today....and she did GREAT! I was really worried that she would think we were abandoning her, but it turns out that she barely even noticed that we were gone. She didn't cry even once, not even when Seth dropped her off this morning. I'm told she was an angel the entire day. She ate well, she napped well and she played well. Her new day care provider (Heidi) said that the only time she got upset was when another child tried to touch her beloved froggie, Mr. Big.

At her new daycare, she's one of six children ranging in age from 10 months to five years. There's one little five year old girl named "Haley" who Lexi immediately hit it off with. Heidi said that Haley took Lexi under her wing like a mother hen and the two of them got along famously. I'm so thrilled!

It may sound implausible, but Lexi seemed like a different child when I picked her up today. She had already picked up some new things, after being there only one day. She came home making a choo choo sound noise and gestured like a train conductor by makng a fist and pulling down her arm. They must have played choo choo train today.

She also tried to manipulate me less than usual. It was obvious that she conceptualized that she doesn't get her way 100% of the time over there...behavior of which did spill over to our house for at least an hour or so. Then when daddy got home it was all over. She immediately reverted back to her manipulation techniques. Hopefully we will continue to make progress in this area. She sooooo has daddy wrapped around her finger!

I think Lexi will thrive in her new environment. My wish is that she will learn communciation techniques, how to share, how to relate to other children and how to be patient. With so many other children to compete with, it's only natural that these lessons will be learned. We'll see how she does over the next few days, but one this is for sure....she is definitely off to new adventures! Yay!

Fountain Fun

Seth had to work today so Lexi and I galavanted around town on our own today. It was a gorgeous day here and a bit on the hot side so I thought I had better take advantage of this summer day as there will not be many left this year. So we headed out to the Lake Oswego fountain. Lexi, being the water baby that she is, loved it of course.

Lexi was the only child there for quite some time which was nice because I got to photgraph her with no one in the background. Very cool!

Lexi running through the water with a funny and determined look on her face.
I simply LOVE this shot! I love the way the camera focused on the stream of water and all the water droplets in the air, yet a figure of Lexi remains in the background. I think I'm going to sign up for digital photography classes this winter. I would LOVE to learn how to take more creative and original photos....and I already have my subject!!!

Kisses, House, Sidewalk Chalk, Daddy and Tushie Wash

Lexi has recent learned how to make the kiss noise. She now puckers her lips and lets out a big smooch. She does this both on command and randomly when she likes or loves something. Simply darling.

Lexi is one lucky girl. She now has her very own playhouse in the middle of the living room. She likes to go inside and open and close the shutters. She also likes mommy and daddy come in with her and close the door. I remember back in the day of pre-Lexi when I swore that I would never allow our house to look like a nursery. Boy, was I wrong about that! I find it easier to have her toys near us so we can keep a close eye on her and play with her in the space that we normally occupy. Funny how children change you...and for the better!

We have new neighbors across the street and they have four kids who are always outside doing kid things...riding bikes, making rock towers, drawing with sidewalk chalk, etc. Well, the three year old little boy LOVES Lexi and wants her to come over all the time. The other day they were using sidewalk chalk and Lexi had a field day! So, of course I had to buy her some of her very own. Here's the scene outside our house a few days ago. Daddy entertaining Lexi while mommy is fixing dinner. Too cute!
Seth can't get enough of Lexi's cuddles.
Last night Lexi was in need of a serious cleaning. There nothing like the good old sink to wash off some stinky bootie. :-)

And Baby Makes Five!

My best friend Jenny just gave birth to her 3rd child on Friday.  She already has a 5 year old son, Nathan, and a 2 year old daughter, Ella.  Given that they already have one of each, this time around she and her husband, John, decided to be surprised about the gender.  I am personally astonished that Jenny held out through the entire pregnancy.  Jenny is NOT one to be patient! I thought for sure that she would change her mind or try to pry it out of the doctor when John wasn't around.  But nope, she did it!  I'm so proud of her!  I don't think I could have done it being the totally impatient super planner that I am.  Anyhow, I bet you're all totally curious to know what she had, right?  Well, it was a BOY!  He was 8lbs even and 20.5 inches long.  His name is Owen Thomas and mom and baby are doing great.  They get to go home from the hospital tomorrow and will be welcomed by daddy, two very excited siblings and Grandma Val   Congratulations to the Brokaw Family!  We can't wait to meet the new addition....in the meantime, please send pictures!!!  Love you guys!!!

Jaya's Birthday Party

Lexi attended Jaya's 6th birthday party this weekend in NE Portland. Jaya is another little girl that she plays with at her babysitter's house. Jaya is starting school tomorrow so Lexi won't see her during the day anymore, which I know she'll be very sad about. Lexi LOVES Jaya a lot!

Here she is with "the gang".  This is Neesa, Jaya and Lexi.  All three used to be together at the babysitter's house.  Neesa is now attending head start and Jaya is now off to new adventures at Irvington Elementary.  Lexi will now have one on one time with Grandma Dee.

Lexi enjoying her time with Grandma Dee, her babysitter.  

Bop, Blackberries, Penny P and Daddy

Last weekend Nana and "Bop" came over for a visit and a walk.  Lexi loves hanging out with them and now especially LOVES visitors.  She's become quite the little ham.  

Recently she's learned how to smile on cue when you ask her to show you her happy face. She has also taken to calling grandpa Rick "Bop".  No one has a clue where that came from but we all think it's super cute.  

Here is Lexi showing us "her happy face" with "Bop". 

There's a long walking path about a 1/2 a block from our house which is lined with literally thousands of blackberries.  As we all know, right now it's the height of blackberry season and little miss LOVES to eat them!  Here she is feasting on a fresh blackberry just picked by daddy.

Lexi has also become quite adamant the SHE must hold the "yeesh" (aka leash) when we go for walks.  She's our little dog walker in training!

A special and sweet shot of Lexi with her beloved Daddy.

My Assessment of Sarah Palin's Speech Last Night

Here's my take on Mrs. Palin: She's a good speaker, I'll give her that. I can see why the sheep-le are entranced by her. She's very beautiful and can read off the teleprompter better than most. She has a very attractive family and a special needs baby. Okay, I get that. But it was obvious last night that she had many hours of coaching on style and delivery. It was also obvious that it was not her own material and the speech lacked anything substantive. There was little talk of policy or issues. Instead the speech was chalked full of smugness, attacks and mockery. She came across as over confident and intensely negative. Rather than being inclusive she is divisive. I think she fired up the base, yes. But I don't think she did much to attract independents or moderates. Quite the opposite actually. For that, I'm thankful.

Last night was yet another example of masterful Karl Rovian political theater, something the Republican's have cultivated into an art form.

I remain confident that by the time the election rolls around, the majority of the people will see through all the crap and will make the right choice. The RIGHT ticket is one which does not include a Bush supporting, wife cheating, hotheaded, fly boy and an anti-global warming, censorship loving, radical barracuda. Just my opinion.