So...we knew it was coming and today she did it!
Instead of taking 1 or 2 steps, Finley walked across her room at school--at least 10-12 steps.
We have watched Fin "thinking" about walking for weeks now. Her approach to "learning" is a complete 180 from Maya's method. Maya jumps in with both feet and crashes a million times and master's it before the sun goes down. Fin watches and plans and calculates for weeks and when she feels secure in her process she gives it a shot!
I got a great video of it here at home but the internet is spotty and getting repaired tomorrow morning. I will try and add the video--so check back.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Seaside, OR with the Friberg's
We got home from our 2nd Annual (fingers crossed) Seaside, OR trip to the beach with Kevin, Leah, Tuesday and Nova. We stayed Sunday through Thursday which seemed to be fabulous--kind of like a reverse commute, we leave just as the weekenders arrive.
We had beautiful weather and spent a lot of time walking on the beach and playing in the sand.
By daylight:
By sunset: 
Even Fin got into the fun. She had some trepidations to begin with but those quickly gave way to her love of sand.
The kids have all grown so much from last year and the Friberg's have added little sister Nova to their family. She turned 4 weeks while we were at the beach.
Overall the girls got along well. Here Tuesday and Maya are "waiting for the bus". I'm not sure where they were going...but hey, it kept them out of trouble.
It took a full day for them to get a feel for each other and there was quite a bit of drama involved in that process. Then they were best friends in the 3 year old sort of way.
We had a fair amount of drama with Maya and naps. In fact, on Monday she nearly went home with Danny as a consequence. Yes, we were willing to drive for 3 hours back home and 3 hours back to the coast to make a point. Thankfully after the bags were loaded and she was getting taken out to the car she asked for one last chance and she instantly fell asleep. It was an exhausting experience. I think we may be done with nap, which is fine except we will really have to adjust our evening schedule to accommodate the "Manic Mindy" mode and earlier bedtime. But enough with that drama...more pictures!
Seaside has a great 1.5 mile Promenade along the beach front that we walked on nearly daily. Downtown is a bustling busy mecca of tourism--including a carousel. We took Fin on for the first time.
At first it seemed that she was really enjoying herself. Then, we got several of these looks accompanied by the "help" sign. 
Maya went on for a 2nd ride and Fin sat on the sidelines. She got really excited--like she wanted to get on again. I think she is a bit of a thrill-seeker like her big sis.
There were glamorous walks to the beach. This one seemed reminiscent of "Summer Rental".
Pink, pink everywhere--if they could have made a pink sandcastle I think they would have! (Yes, Maya is wearing a tutu.)
We checked on the goats multiple times every day. I remember thinking they were cool last year--this year however, Maya really got into them. They "move" various times throughout the day into different little vignettes. 
We were lucky enough to meet their "owners" and she invited us in to meet the goats and have pictures with them. Maya had a great time coming up with stories about their adventures as well as imagining how they move. She was convinced they move around at night while we are asleep, of course. She was even lucky enough to help "move, arrange and decide the story" on one occasion. 
Fin did a great job. I forget what an awkward time being 1 is. There was a lot of "no, this" and "no, that" but we worked hard to find things to say yes to as well. 
We decided to rent a family bike. We had a coupon from the rental agency--buy one hour and get the second one free! $28 + 2 hours = 8 sore legs! 
We had a great time but the adults were exhausted from all the pedaling! We laughed and sang and tootled around the town. Fin relaxed so much that she fell asleep. She was moby'd on to Danny but she was getting too jostled by all the pedaling so we decided to "tie" her to the seat--which worked marvelously! 
Here are a few more random yet fun shots. Girls on the beach: 
Maya "walking the line": 
Fin stealing Dad's hat: 
Mom looking on from the sidelines: 
Maya rocking the fashion scene: 
There were some tears and some really, really tough times.
But mostly I like to remember it like this.
And finally, a little dance party exit music.
We had beautiful weather and spent a lot of time walking on the beach and playing in the sand.
By daylight:
By sunset: 
Even Fin got into the fun. She had some trepidations to begin with but those quickly gave way to her love of sand.
The kids have all grown so much from last year and the Friberg's have added little sister Nova to their family. She turned 4 weeks while we were at the beach.Overall the girls got along well. Here Tuesday and Maya are "waiting for the bus". I'm not sure where they were going...but hey, it kept them out of trouble.
It took a full day for them to get a feel for each other and there was quite a bit of drama involved in that process. Then they were best friends in the 3 year old sort of way.We had a fair amount of drama with Maya and naps. In fact, on Monday she nearly went home with Danny as a consequence. Yes, we were willing to drive for 3 hours back home and 3 hours back to the coast to make a point. Thankfully after the bags were loaded and she was getting taken out to the car she asked for one last chance and she instantly fell asleep. It was an exhausting experience. I think we may be done with nap, which is fine except we will really have to adjust our evening schedule to accommodate the "Manic Mindy" mode and earlier bedtime. But enough with that drama...more pictures!
Seaside has a great 1.5 mile Promenade along the beach front that we walked on nearly daily. Downtown is a bustling busy mecca of tourism--including a carousel. We took Fin on for the first time.
At first it seemed that she was really enjoying herself. Then, we got several of these looks accompanied by the "help" sign. 
Maya went on for a 2nd ride and Fin sat on the sidelines. She got really excited--like she wanted to get on again. I think she is a bit of a thrill-seeker like her big sis. There were glamorous walks to the beach. This one seemed reminiscent of "Summer Rental".
Pink, pink everywhere--if they could have made a pink sandcastle I think they would have! (Yes, Maya is wearing a tutu.)
We checked on the goats multiple times every day. I remember thinking they were cool last year--this year however, Maya really got into them. They "move" various times throughout the day into different little vignettes. 
We were lucky enough to meet their "owners" and she invited us in to meet the goats and have pictures with them. Maya had a great time coming up with stories about their adventures as well as imagining how they move. She was convinced they move around at night while we are asleep, of course. She was even lucky enough to help "move, arrange and decide the story" on one occasion. 
Fin did a great job. I forget what an awkward time being 1 is. There was a lot of "no, this" and "no, that" but we worked hard to find things to say yes to as well. 
We decided to rent a family bike. We had a coupon from the rental agency--buy one hour and get the second one free! $28 + 2 hours = 8 sore legs! 
We had a great time but the adults were exhausted from all the pedaling! We laughed and sang and tootled around the town. Fin relaxed so much that she fell asleep. She was moby'd on to Danny but she was getting too jostled by all the pedaling so we decided to "tie" her to the seat--which worked marvelously! 
Here are a few more random yet fun shots. Girls on the beach: 
Maya "walking the line": 
Fin stealing Dad's hat: 
Mom looking on from the sidelines: 
Maya rocking the fashion scene: 
There were some tears and some really, really tough times. 
But mostly I like to remember it like this.
And finally, a little dance party exit music.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Hey...look at me!
The night before we left for Seaside Fin started to experiment a little bit.
She has been doing more and more walking between the couch and coffee table--taking more risks...so we might not have much more time of non-walkerdom.
She has been doing more and more walking between the couch and coffee table--taking more risks...so we might not have much more time of non-walkerdom.
Fair Friends
It's that time of year...Lane County Fair!!
Thankfully it wasn't a billion degrees this year.
Maya had a great time tromping around the fair with Saf. And Fin was old enough to ride in the stroller and "take in" the sights! :)
Riding the motorcycles.
(On a sidenote...there was a motocross demonstration with trick riders. Maya got hysterically upset by the fact that she couldn't ride on those rides and go around and upside down. Oh, hell what is she going to grow up and be!!)
Riding the airplanes.
Choosing the next ride.
Helicoptors.
A little road rage driving the trucks.
Yep, we're tall enough!
Chess with Fin!
Playing farmers in the barn.
Milking the goat.
Comfy ride home.
Thankfully it wasn't a billion degrees this year.
Maya had a great time tromping around the fair with Saf. And Fin was old enough to ride in the stroller and "take in" the sights! :)
Riding the motorcycles.
(On a sidenote...there was a motocross demonstration with trick riders. Maya got hysterically upset by the fact that she couldn't ride on those rides and go around and upside down. Oh, hell what is she going to grow up and be!!)
Riding the airplanes.
Choosing the next ride.
Helicoptors.
A little road rage driving the trucks.
Yep, we're tall enough!
Chess with Fin!
Playing farmers in the barn.
Milking the goat.
Comfy ride home.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Mini Conversation about Bread
The following conversation was heard in our house last night.
Maya: Mom, what are you doing?
Me: Making zucchini bread.
Maya (walking out of kitchen and throwing a wave over her shoulder): Favorite!
Parenthood is surreal at times.
Needless to say, Grandma Sandy's zucchini bread recipe produced award-winning results. We had it warm as a pre-bedtime snack and again this morning for breakfast.
Maya: Mom, what are you doing?
Me: Making zucchini bread.
Maya (walking out of kitchen and throwing a wave over her shoulder): Favorite!
Parenthood is surreal at times.
Needless to say, Grandma Sandy's zucchini bread recipe produced award-winning results. We had it warm as a pre-bedtime snack and again this morning for breakfast.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Visit from Auntie Kate & Last OR Days with Grace (et al)
Auntie Kate came for a visit which, of course, was fabulous.
There was a family bike ride to the park. Kate had the awesome privilege of riding "Banana Mae". Ask her about it sometime!
There was sliding...
There was swinging...
There were Auntie Antics...
By day, Kate and I worked on our respective writing projects. It was great to have a cohort in the library--it kept us both focused. Then we would lunch, pick up the kids and the real work would start! :)
We were able to escape for a night out on the town on Friday. It was a fun evening of good food, lots of great wine and conversations that only periodically ended in someone hollering or throwing food! ( ;
Terrence, Erica and Grace were loading up to leave for an adventure in Indiana. So there was some packing assistance--aka take Grace to the park to play!
How we all felt about packing and moving.
Some weird parenting ad...it's fabulous.
At the park:
Storming the castle:
There was some super-secret-sticker pact between Maya and Grace. I'm afraid to know what was discussed.
Then there were train goodbyes.
Our family got quite a bit smaller in quick fashion. It was a quiet sad weekend.
There was a family bike ride to the park. Kate had the awesome privilege of riding "Banana Mae". Ask her about it sometime!
There was sliding...
There was swinging...
There were Auntie Antics...
By day, Kate and I worked on our respective writing projects. It was great to have a cohort in the library--it kept us both focused. Then we would lunch, pick up the kids and the real work would start! :)We were able to escape for a night out on the town on Friday. It was a fun evening of good food, lots of great wine and conversations that only periodically ended in someone hollering or throwing food! ( ;
Terrence, Erica and Grace were loading up to leave for an adventure in Indiana. So there was some packing assistance--aka take Grace to the park to play!
How we all felt about packing and moving.
Some weird parenting ad...it's fabulous.
At the park:
Storming the castle:
There was some super-secret-sticker pact between Maya and Grace. I'm afraid to know what was discussed.
Then there were train goodbyes.
Our family got quite a bit smaller in quick fashion. It was a quiet sad weekend.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Maya's first Camping Trip
Hello all,
Maya and I went on a Father/Daughter adventure this past weekend and took a drive north to camp in the woods near mt st helens....
As you can see from the above pics - it was a long drive and wore us both out...
Maya wanted to put on her camping jammies (a gift from Gramma Elaine!) for the drive
and wore them for the whole weekend - wait until you see how they looked on Sunday...
We met up with some friends of mine from days of yore - three dudes i used to run with in high school and college most of whom i haven't seen for nearly a decade!
Now we are all married and have two kids - very close in age - so we decided to get together talk about old times and make some new memories with our oldest kids...
Maya took some pics in the car...
When we got to the camp site Mike C, his son Eli and Keith and his daughter Mathilda were already there setting up and unpacking - we had introductions and dove right into tent set up...
we had discussed the order about 75 times in the car:
1. tent set up
2. unpack
3. dinner
4. bike ride
as it happened i acquiesced and we had a short bike ride before/during/after dinner...
After dinner we (the dads) sat at the fire and chatted a little while Maya, Eli and Mathilda pushed dirt, rode bikes, and ran in the woods...
Soon it was time for bed - well past our usual bed time but a perfect bed time for camping
so after a nice cup of cocoa we wrapped things up and curled up in the tents...
(the dad's all snuck out for some more campfire time...)
In the morning we woke up - to a toasty fire and the smell of breakfast on the grill thanks to Mike C. we all had a tasty breakfast and powered up for the busy day!
mid-morning the kiddo's occupied themselves with the well-known camping youth activities of log walking, bike riding and dirt pushing, there may have been some rock throwing and stick swinging as well..
Mathilda held on to this piece of bark for quite a while - i can see why - it's pretty cool...
you can see her dad, Keith in the background on the left - splitting the piece of wood that the bark came from - for our fire - good work Keith!
that's Ricky - a neighbor - i think he was interested in Mathilda's bark...
We stayed at the Lake Takhlakh campground.
This is the lake - it is small and lovely and framed
by an amazing view of Mt. Adams...
We hiked the trail - about a mile - around the lake both mornings - it was a nice and interesting trail busy with other campers and loads of anglers, and Huckleberry Pickers. We learned from a very friendly and informative Huckleberry Picker that blueberries are essentially domesticated Huckleberries...
(that's for you Gramma Sandy - that's what we saw out at Yachats too!)
Maya and Eli warmed up to each other very quickly
A few pics from our saturday hike...
I was beguiled by the specs of dew on all the leaves big and ripe and jewel-like - this lichen caught my eye too - and the pic to the left is one of Maya's nature shots...
Maya was beguiled by rocks and sticks, bikeriding (especially the other kids bikes with training wheels), and the camera - here are a few more pics Maya took...
that last one is a very artistic shot of a cup of cocoa - Maya's other main fascination on this trip...
after our saturday morning hike it was time for some lunch and a lay down...
when we woke up off to some swimming in the lake - it was perfect timing one of our very few sun breaks
it was a quick swim as the sun didnt last and the water was on the cooler side...
on our way back to the campsite we found Mike Y. and Juniper!
We were all very excited as we had been looking foreword to their arrival but, because it was getting late had started to fear that they wouldn't make it...
We all went back to the campsite and started getting ready for dinner...
Mike and Juniper unpacked and set up gear and we had all had a nice visit - while the young'uns
did more running, biking, jumping, barking and climbing - it was nice to be able to elt them go wild a little!
After dinner we walked back down to the lake to look at Mt. Adams...
the kiddo's were on bike of course...
the kids pause for a pose
a wee bit of mt adams poking out here
and after our trip to the lake
it was back the the site for a campfire
and some marshmallows and
hot cocoa, of course...
Maya roasting a marshmallow for the first time ever...
after marshmallows and hot cocoas and all of that stuff
we all took our kids to snooz and some of us had little naps ourselves!
then back up to stoke the fire and laugh and tell stories and drink and kick dirt...
the next morning was bittersweet - our last morning...
chef mike prepared campstyle breakfast sandwiches - delishus again mike!
and there was more biking (of course) and lots of love and hugs...
we went for one last hike to wear the kids out before plunking them in their respective card for the long journey home -
we ran across this boat and the floating fish next to it - it's kinda hard to explain catch and release to a 3 year old - let alone that it sometimes doesn't work...
check out this shirt!
and finally...
Maya took a few more pics on the drive home
Maya and I went on a Father/Daughter adventure this past weekend and took a drive north to camp in the woods near mt st helens....
As you can see from the above pics - it was a long drive and wore us both out...Maya wanted to put on her camping jammies (a gift from Gramma Elaine!) for the drive
and wore them for the whole weekend - wait until you see how they looked on Sunday...
We met up with some friends of mine from days of yore - three dudes i used to run with in high school and college most of whom i haven't seen for nearly a decade!
Now we are all married and have two kids - very close in age - so we decided to get together talk about old times and make some new memories with our oldest kids...
Maya took some pics in the car...
When we got to the camp site Mike C, his son Eli and Keith and his daughter Mathilda were already there setting up and unpacking - we had introductions and dove right into tent set up...we had discussed the order about 75 times in the car:
1. tent set up
2. unpack
3. dinner
4. bike ride
as it happened i acquiesced and we had a short bike ride before/during/after dinner...
After dinner we (the dads) sat at the fire and chatted a little while Maya, Eli and Mathilda pushed dirt, rode bikes, and ran in the woods...
Soon it was time for bed - well past our usual bed time but a perfect bed time for camping
so after a nice cup of cocoa we wrapped things up and curled up in the tents...
(the dad's all snuck out for some more campfire time...)
In the morning we woke up - to a toasty fire and the smell of breakfast on the grill thanks to Mike C. we all had a tasty breakfast and powered up for the busy day!
mid-morning the kiddo's occupied themselves with the well-known camping youth activities of log walking, bike riding and dirt pushing, there may have been some rock throwing and stick swinging as well..
Mathilda held on to this piece of bark for quite a while - i can see why - it's pretty cool...
you can see her dad, Keith in the background on the left - splitting the piece of wood that the bark came from - for our fire - good work Keith!
that's Ricky - a neighbor - i think he was interested in Mathilda's bark...
We stayed at the Lake Takhlakh campground.
This is the lake - it is small and lovely and framed
by an amazing view of Mt. Adams...
We hiked the trail - about a mile - around the lake both mornings - it was a nice and interesting trail busy with other campers and loads of anglers, and Huckleberry Pickers. We learned from a very friendly and informative Huckleberry Picker that blueberries are essentially domesticated Huckleberries...
(that's for you Gramma Sandy - that's what we saw out at Yachats too!)
Maya and Eli warmed up to each other very quickly
A few pics from our saturday hike...
I was beguiled by the specs of dew on all the leaves big and ripe and jewel-like - this lichen caught my eye too - and the pic to the left is one of Maya's nature shots...
Maya was beguiled by rocks and sticks, bikeriding (especially the other kids bikes with training wheels), and the camera - here are a few more pics Maya took...
that last one is a very artistic shot of a cup of cocoa - Maya's other main fascination on this trip...
after our saturday morning hike it was time for some lunch and a lay down...
when we woke up off to some swimming in the lake - it was perfect timing one of our very few sun breaks
it was a quick swim as the sun didnt last and the water was on the cooler side...
on our way back to the campsite we found Mike Y. and Juniper!
We were all very excited as we had been looking foreword to their arrival but, because it was getting late had started to fear that they wouldn't make it...
We all went back to the campsite and started getting ready for dinner...
Mike and Juniper unpacked and set up gear and we had all had a nice visit - while the young'uns
did more running, biking, jumping, barking and climbing - it was nice to be able to elt them go wild a little!
After dinner we walked back down to the lake to look at Mt. Adams...
the kiddo's were on bike of course...
the kids pause for a pose
a wee bit of mt adams poking out here
and after our trip to the lake
it was back the the site for a campfire
and some marshmallows and
hot cocoa, of course...
Maya roasting a marshmallow for the first time ever...
we all took our kids to snooz and some of us had little naps ourselves!
then back up to stoke the fire and laugh and tell stories and drink and kick dirt...
the next morning was bittersweet - our last morning...
chef mike prepared campstyle breakfast sandwiches - delishus again mike!
and there was more biking (of course) and lots of love and hugs...
we went for one last hike to wear the kids out before plunking them in their respective card for the long journey home -we ran across this boat and the floating fish next to it - it's kinda hard to explain catch and release to a 3 year old - let alone that it sometimes doesn't work...
check out this shirt!
and finally...Maya took a few more pics on the drive home
I would say overall the trip was a success! we both got a little homesick... a little frusterated with each other at times, struggled with the campground lavatories and got our fair dare of filthy...
but Maya did fantastic on the car rides - enjoyed meeting new freinds, being in the woods and riding bikes, drinking hot cocoa, wearing her camp jammies, and having an ADVENTURE!
but Maya did fantastic on the car rides - enjoyed meeting new freinds, being in the woods and riding bikes, drinking hot cocoa, wearing her camp jammies, and having an ADVENTURE!
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