Mid-Week Movie III

There's a baby following you.

Bumbo, Bumbo, Bumbo...

For those of you who have not kept up with recent developments in squashy childrens' accouterments, the Bumbo is the latest and greatest. The premise of the Bumbo (can't stop repeating that name, it's irresistible) is to support the child in an upright position until they develop the strength to do it on their own. Sylvia, who enjoys any body position that places her eyes above her bum, digs on it.







The bumbo is also a good trainer for a desk job. Below Sylvia considers her morning's projects.









Having a child has gained us entrance into a tribe that gathers regularly to watch their progeny fall off swings, eat wood chips, and investigate squirrel poop. These park activities are still out of Sylvia's reach but her parents returned to Peninsula Park this week to attend the Green Sprouts Organic baby Festival where every sort of free range, pesticide free, low-VOC, and sweatshop-free product for baby kind was on display. We sampled humus pizza (yuk), learned about lead paint (yum), and signed up to win a plywood play kitchen that may actually be larger than our current scullery.









My eye was caught by the portable goYurt. This clever shelter collapse into a few large pieces that can be strapped to your Chevy Suburban, mangy donkey, or sassy children.

Clever telescoping wall.
Note "Nursing Yurt" sign.

A family pedal rickshaw has also been on my mind. What could be better than loading the wife and kids into the rickshaw and pedaling them down to the river for a swim and popsicles. All in good time.

Let's conclude with Sylvia enjoying a sweet moment in an Ecuadorian embroidered dress that was sent to her by Torcasa's in-laws (Juan Manuel's parents).

Mid-week Quick Pic

Trying out the stroller.

Please ignore the stack of diapers beneath Sylvia's bum.
She just needed a little boost to fit the stroller just right.

Twenty Cool Toes

Our family and friends spread across the country (and around the world) means distant events influence our lives. This time it's Hurricane Ike that is heading its way toward New Orleans and Aurelia's brother Chris and his g-friend Lisa who live there.

5-day hurricane track as of Sunday Sept. 7.

Chris was scheduled to visit Sylvia this week but he wisely decided to delay the trip until the weather and any possible evacuations have passed. We wish them, and the rest of the east coast, a safe ride.

As small consolation AJ and I took Sylvia outside as much as possible to take advantage of the glorious weather we're having on Oregon. First the two ladies headed into the backyard to lie in the grass. Thumb sucking was enjoyed by the under 28" set.
















As the temp rose, the two had a bit of a snooze under the ornamental pear.









In the afternoon we three selected one of Portland parks for a family outing. We chose Peninsula Park and were soon parking on the eastern edge of this 16 acre, inner city park. The park is split into two halves, one for a formal rose garden (Portland's original-the larger version on the west side being built a few years later) and the other for a community center and athletic fields.

Le Rose Garden

Outdoor "room" made with four trees.

The fountain in the center of the Rose Garden was just the right depth for cooling toes large and small.























With twenty of our thirty toes brought down to manageable temperatures we made our way to the other end of the park where one of Portland's many Hispanic league soccer games was underway. The play was rapid and skillful.










Sylvia grew tired of the game and decided that is was more fun to eat her carrier.

Why yes, that is a Deportivo Cuenca soccer jersey.
Viva La Chronica Roja!