Every 365 days...there must be a pattern

As a new parent, it has begun to dawn on me that childrens' Birthdays seem to reoccur with some regularity. As evidence, our buddies Nina and Jake invited us, for the second time even , to their son Akio's party.

(Aki investigates some ribbon. Almost as fun as the gift itself).

(Jake in the fray).

(Cupcakes. Great idea!
If you look carefully you'll see they stack is supported by Legos. Cool!)

(Time for some serious eating).

(no caption required).

(Cute but Jake keep yer boy away from my daughter).

Party Girl

A few days after Sylvia's official birthday, she was host to her first party. After much cleaning of house (I'm always sure the guests will be inspecting our upstairs back closet) and baby we (Aurelia, Linda, Ted, Ian and I) greeted Sylvia's buddy Akio and his adults, Nina and Jake. The group quickly got down to the important business of blowing bubbles and eating puzzle pieces.

Just minutes later the party really got started with the arrival of Lena and her adults, Dana and Brett.

During the party ted and Lena took time out to discuss the relative merits of balloons versus puzzles,

(Lena clearly prefers balloons)

Linda and Sylvia enjoyed the crowd,

and Ian perused our increasingly large collection of sleep propaganda, this one titled, "I'll See You in the Morning."

Our generous friends and family gave Sylvia some sweet gifts. Thanks!

Here Sylvia models a new dress that will fit this summer.

There are many birthday cake legends in our family. Some follow the mode, first perfected by the Greeks, of "My birthday cake was so natural is had no sugar, was made from raw oats and water and the icing consisted of tofu and sad songs." Others consist of various recollections about how, in our youth, we managed to strike our cakes with blunt objects (Ian-Hammer), had allergic reactions to an ingredient (Fidel-Strawberries) or ate twice our body weight in one sitting (Miguel-no just making that up).

I am happy to report that Sylvia's cake contained sugar (not too much), flour and nary a shred of tofu. As the movies below show, she seemed to enjoy it. Happy birthday sweetie!

Put Your Kid to Work

Each day finds Sylvia more mobile than the day before. While she has not achieved a true crawl, defined as using legs and hands in concert, she is able to caterpillar forward at a decent clip.

Such movement brings it rewards. Sylvia now has new places to play and new furniture to nibble and hang on.





Not shy to take advantage of Sylvia's new skills, her parents asked her to take on a few chores. Below she works on the family bed.















As old as Sylvia seems, her buddy Akio is even older. The Noodle and I got gussied up and, gift in hand, trundled to Sylvia's first party. Akio was a gracious host and shared his cool toys with Sylvia.





He also shared his cat Milo who, while being both good natured and patient, eventually had to make his escape.











Aki gets ready to blow out his candles with the help of his beaming parents, Nina and Jake.








Akio scored a bunch of great gifts but none so full of professional promise as these block given to him by an architect who shall remain nameless.

The most vocationally explicit package I've seen on a kids toy so far.

OK, Aki, get to work.




Sylvia, Monkey, and Party Balloon sign off.

Sylvia's Sleepytime Salad

The columbines have come and gone. This should mean that summer has arrived. But this year summer is arriving in fits and starts. We get a bit of rain followed by a sunny day, then clouds. The air is mild and cool in the morning. Our sympathy goes out to everyone out east and south who are already sweltering.


Sylvia was lucky enough to receive a number of guests this week. Nina and Jake (whom I work with and Timbers season ticket seat neighbor) dropped by with their son Akio.







Later on, Van showed up with the cutest little hat for Sylvia. Amish or St. Pauli Girl, not sure which.











A weekend would not be complete without a bit of walking practice, time in the snugglie, Mom intimidation and bare bum time; in that order.

I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse.

Monday night, thanks to our friend Christi who coincidentally just moved a few block away from us, is now to be known as "Family Monday Night." This means that Aurelia and I don't cook and Christi and Ian hit the kitchen. This week featured an improvisational dinner salad christened "Sylvia's Sleepy Time salad" to honor how quickly Sylvia fell asleep while we ate.

Here's the recipe for those looking to enjoy its soporific effects:

Sylvia’s Sleepy Time Salad

Ingredients:

1 Rotisserie Chicken (pulled and chopped)

1 can Black Olives

1 tub fresh marinated Mozzarella Balls

1 can Artichoke Bottoms

1 jar Marinated sliced and roasted red peppers

1 tub Pesto

1 head Romaine Lettuce Chopped

1 bag mixed Spring Greens

1 bag o’ Love

Chop and pull chicken. Moisten with ½ tub of pesto

Combine all ingredients and toss and turn well.

Also try with:

Pine nuts, Marinated Mushrooms, Walnuts

Finally here's a pic from mid-week that illustrates Sylvia's increased awareness and engagement, especially towards faces and voices.

Timber Jim takes a bow

April 17th dawned cool and damp. The air was electric with excitement. The words on everyone's mouth: "Timbers Opening Night." With high spirits and the first of our season tickets clutched in our trembling hands my buddy Jake and I entered the soccer cathedral that is PGE park for the spectacle that is the beautiful game.

As Portland's USL League 1 team, the Timbers have a varied history dating back to the early 70's, much like myself. 2008 finds the Timbers without our star keeper and striker (both stolen by the LA Galaxy) but with Takayuki Suzuki who has played in both the World Cup and UEFA Champions League. (Note: This is when those who find soccer to be less than stimulating often glaze over and begin staring at wall behind me, perhaps finding solace in the cracked plaster beyond). With our newly reinforced roster the Timber's took to the field for the first game of the season against the Puerto Rico Islanders (creative name to be sure). The Timbers looked fit after a month of pre-season training in their traditional green and white.

Suzuki enters stage right.

But the real drama of the night was the farewell to Timber Jim. He has been the team mascot for the past 20 years (with a decade break when the team was defunct) and is an institution. He leads the crowd in cheers and taunts and, this being Portland, cuts a round of a log with his chainsaw every time we score.

TJ and his drum

TJ claps his hands.

TJ hangs from the rafters 80 feet in the air and bangs his drum.

TJ riles up the crowd.

The game started slow and the first half ended 0-0. The second half had some clever play from both sides that culminated in a Timbers' goal. Timber Jim cut his final slab as the crowd chanted and screamed.

The final whistle saw (sports writing is a challenge; it' all been said before) the Timbers victorious and Timber Jim tired but content. His number was retired to the rafters but lifetime season tickets means that the Green and White Army can count on his help for years to come. (Cue swelling music and credits).