What says "summer has started?

Ok. So what says "summer has started" more than fire works, hotdogs and that milky smell that seems to emanate from most urban sewers?

Ice skating of course!

Somehow it just makes sense.
And Sylvia seems to be enjoying learning a new and challenging skill.

Cleaning papa's scooter is also a fun summer activity. Or so he says.

Best of all is swinging on a tire swing with your buddy and then chilling in the grass.

Did you think I would have a post without a baby picture?
Fear not intrepid dinner table visitor.

Eating them faster than they can grow. (strawberries-that is)

Despite the lack of direct sun in Oregon over the past few months, the strawberry population appears to be unaffected.

We did our best below to diminish their numbers ever so slightly.

Ponies, of course, required riding.

And naps, of course, needed to be taken.

Belated Papas' Day pic

Hands are officially full.

Gazing at ballon animals in the middle distance

Nana and Uncle Ted were only with us a week. But in that time they managed to:

Snuggle with short people,

watch short people gaze into the middle distance,

enjoy Sylvia's first balloon animal and

Rose Festival Parade,

and settle in for a big smile.

Much love!

Getting out of the way

Sometimes the best way to help is to get out fo the way. Following this dictum Sylvia and I have been spending more time together out in the world so Aurelia adn camilla can have a bit of space and grab naps when possible.

We've spent time at the park (below) , the zoo, the children's museum,

hot dogs at our local hot doggery,

and inventing hamburger garnishes,

Her uncle has gotten in on the act,
teaching her the finer points of steeping yerba mate.

Yup, no baby pictures. But stay tuned!

Of napping, and sisters and funky bums.

While calling it a rhythm might be overly enthusiastic, life here at the Dinnertable has taken on some regular characteristics.

Camilla takes naps,

followed by diapers changes.

Sylvia has become a really good helper, shuttling dirty diapers to the honey bucket.

The occasional bath makes for light entertainment, enjoyed by most.

Again, big sister is a big help.

Papa then takes clean baby and sits for a bit.

Or stands.

Some swaddling practice might occur,

followed by an outing, and a nap.

Upon our return we might engage in a bit of expression practice.

And no day would be complete without some more sisterly love.

A rare cloudless sunrise

While I intend to refrain from a Oliver Twistian introduction to the life of Camilla Beth, I will begin before her beginning with an image we saw the morning she was born: Mount Hood glowing in a rare cloudless sunrise.

Two pigeons who had kept watch over us through the night, ruffled their feathers in the dawn.

The actual birth was as wonderful as it was fast. Ask us sometime if you want the whole story but suffice it to say that I don't think it is possible to leave your home any later and still give birth at the hospital. But the result was two happy and tired adults and one slightly bruised and sleepy bundle.

Sylvia visited her sister a few hours after the birth. Below she helps Camilla open the gift she brought her.

And then scores a gift from Camilla.

Camilla slept through most of the action,

with mom joining her for some well deserved rest.

And Mount Hood shone radiant
over the Willamette Valley and
across the city of Portland.

OPH

Our super buds Holly and Filip threw us a baby shower to celebrate the coming of the deuce. Me, being the poorly mannered guest that I am failed to take any pictures of my hosts and instead mostly focused on the kids.

(Vivian, Sylvia, and Gabriel)

Besides the great food we also enjoyed some onesie painting,
that Sylvia took to with great aplomb.

At 10 OPH (onsies per hour)
the above ought to cover us for about 50 minutes or so.

When Bunnies come to town.

Candy littering bunnies invade and small children hunt for treasure.