Polywog

Today was the Moreland Monster March. Last year was a hit with Dylan, and not surprisingly, he was adorable in his puppy costume. This time, Dylan wanted nothing to do with costumes, but was happy to take in the parade and festivities. He's been carrying two giant jolly ranchers in his pocket all night. I'm still deluding myself that he doesn't know they are edible. How long can I keep this up? Someone told me he looked like a hiker and I wish we'd thought of that sooner. Maybe we could have pulled that off without Dylan knowing if we'd gone with the shorts and long-johns look. Then again, maybe only AT hikers would recognize that look.

Avery was a beautiful bat. She and I walked the parade circuit and were even photographed for the paper. We were probably chosen because every other infant was a ladybug. Who knows...maybe she'll be a famous before her fifth month.

Noteworthy news:
I was 'out and about' this week when Dylan spied a Portlander eating a Donut. Dylan says, "Momma, that man is eating the letter 'O'."

Speaking of letters, Cookie Monster guest starred on the Martha Stewart show this week. Some days, my closet love of Martha may be worn proudly. Incidently, he was pretty critical of her cookie-making. Like Greg, he was turned off by her deviation from Chocolate Chip.

FYI. When introduced for the first time, it takes a 2 1/2 year old approximately 10 minutes to master the use of a computer mouse. Astonishing.

Every budding artist needs his creative space. Well, at least I imagine so..my own inner-artist hasn't budded yet. Dylan's inner artist appeared to be stunted (or at least terrified of squishy and/or messy media), until he got his own special Dylan-sized table. It was an overnight revolution. The boy loves play-dough and water colors. And from this mother's eyes, Picasso can't hold a candle to anything on my fridge.
Any jealousy I may have over Dylan's art corner (my sewing table is currently perched precariously over Dylan's train set. The sewing pedal may actually be a launch ramp for pint-sized engines.) is countered by the other Hyde revolution. DSL! And Finally. We moved the computer out of the kitchen (freeing up an art-corner) and posting to Polywog/Hopsrock is a dream. Does anyone else remember typing on MultiMate? Accidentally hitting page down meant 3 minutes lost. That's how I felt posting with Dial up. Greg too is thrilled. The sports world is finally at his fingertips.

Our laundry could speak volumes about our life, if only we would listen. Many of you may be already thinking of the dirty diapers which constitute >75% of our laundry. But don't be misled. Yesterday, when I opened the drier, a pile of river rocks fell to the floor. It brings new meaning to checking your pockets.

Among the many pleasures of the last 2 1/2 years has been watching Dylan's personality unfold. Most startling is how clear it already was from the first weeks and months. And though Avery's energies are focused on cooing, giggling, and taming her wild dance moves (I'm sure you parents remember the incessant arm waving), her little self is shining through loud and clear. I'm predicting that she won't have any trouble carving a niche far from her big brother's. While Dylan is analyzing the world, solving global problems, and skeptically sizing up strangers (and always was), Avery is quite a gregarious baby. If the flirting gets much worse, we'll have a very nervous Daddy on our hands. Actually, we were furniture shopping with Avery on Saturday while Dylan was in Hood River riding the Little Engine That Could with "Auntie E" and Uncle Larry. I left the store to nurse Avery while Greg finished our purchases. The sales lady told Greg that Avery was the reason why people have babies. Awwwwwwww.