Polywog

We've managed to make the best of our spring break opportunities despite the demented laughter of weather forecasters. The first two days of the week were supposed to be the only 'good' days, so we took off to the beach and then to the gorge. Both days turned out to be cold, blustery, and wet. Then, the days that were supposed to be 'bad' were then forecasted to be 'good' only be to be updated to 'bad' as the rain started to fall, the winds blew our hats off, and the temperatures plummeted. No worries though, we're still having a pretty good time. My favorite part of spring break may be Greg's declaration that we don't have to cook. That's the kind of break I can get used to! Of course we did manage to bake Chocolate Chip Cookies (see photo of Dylan's tongue). Between the raindrops the kids are being reunited with the backyard after a long winter. Dylan is mastering his tricycle and Avery, though still refusing regular solid food, is devouring suburban plant life. Greg played his first ever round of golf yesterday at McMenamin's Edgefield par 3 Pitch and Putt pub course and managed to not get bannished from the course. Avery took her first ever swim at the pool today. She was alarmingly sedate considering her euphoric antics in the bathtub/shower. We expected her to peel out and swim the 50m butterfly. Once she recovers from the shock of so much water and splashing potential we may have to send the kids to separate pools. Dylan has always thought that splashing of any kind is highly overrated.

Spring break is great, but it really is misnamed. Greg and I are starting a campaign to shift the entire Pacific Northwest school year by at least one month. March is really still winterish (April is starting to look up). Summer doesn't really warm up until July...a month after school gets out. And things are still in full swing when the kids go back in late August. We'll let you know what our congress-folk say.

Dylan is increasingly interested in music. As much as he loves listening to and playing music (and he's quite opinionated about what he listens to) it seemed forever before Dylan started singing himself. It was well worth the wait because Dylan now sings for us beautifully and often hums under his breath. His lyric repertoire is wide enough that we don't really mind that all the songs are to the tune of Farmer and the Dell.

Greg is on spring break this week. What a needed breath of fresh air for us all! Saturday we were urban adventurers. We took the city bus from our neighborhood up to the light rail. Then we took the light rail downtown and then on to the zoo. Most of the light rail stops are frequent and above ground, but it runs quickly and underground most of the 4-5 miles between downtown and the zoo. We came 450' up to the surface by elevator and emerged at the zoo entrance. I don't think Dylan's face could have looked more mystified and thrilled if we'd arrived on mars. The trip takes 20 minutes by car or 1:40 by public transit, but Dylan is sold on public transportation. He keeps asking if we can take the train and "pop right up at the zoo!"

There are many reasons why I am stopped by total strangers in the store these days. The number one reason is probably the color of Avery's hair. Pictures don't quite capture the subtlety, but it is a lovely and unusual reddish gold blond. The second most common reason is her curlicue. Hysterical. Darling. Whatever you want to call it it brings a smile to just about anyone.

Posts have been more difficult lately because Dylan usually resists being photographed and I feel guilty posting scores of Avery-only photos (cute though they are). This week I triumphed in catching a pure Dylan moment of conquering all available tunnels. Little did he know that some tunnels have swivel cameras!

Favorite Dylanism of the week:
Dylan: Did you see that Momma?
Me: See what?
Dylan: The clouds over there are wearing reddish pink pajamies!

Favorite moment from tonight's dinner:
Dylan: I want to learn to make my own hummus.
Me: Me too! Let's learn how together over the weekend.
Dylan: No, I think I will wait until I'm a little bit bigger.
Me: But why? I think you had a great idea.
Dylan: I will need to wait until I am a little bit bigger because then I will be able to reach the counter.

Beware when you give a 3 year old free reign when choosing their birthday cake. In this case, we had a strawberry triangle birthday cake with tutus. While I'm first to admit I'm no pastry chef....What would you have made?


Also per Dylan's request we spent a quiet birthday weekend just the four of us. Today we even had perfect weather for a hike through Oaks Bottom. It was one of our first such adventures without the kid backpack. I think Greg and Dylan both missed the backpack a little...but it’s a good start. I'm still hoping for a long distance hike when Dylan's in high school. We have a few years to work up to that. Greg and I had better start working out if we're going to carry the kids.

One birthday highlight has been a new set of wooden building blocks. Today I was building an impressive castle when Dylan decided to begin rearranging/dismantling it. I suggested that we instate a new rule that we only redesign OUR OWN castles. Dylan mostly ignored me saying, "I'm just helping you build your castle." Ok. A few minutes later we happily finished our castle together. Dylan says to me, "You see? I was just helping to build a castle together! There's really no need to get grumpy about it."

Happy Birthday Dylan!