Portland, as usual, was great fun. We played the piano (note the photo-friendly smile; still going...),
we unpacked...
and we went out on numerous walks. Nana and Pop-pop's neighborhood they like to call a fantasyland for grown-ups, complete with ice cream shops on every corner. Really weird. But it's also a pretty wild place to be a toddler. There's a free streetcar that runs every few minutes and a flotilla's worth of trashtrucks (or "ash-cucks" in Sam-ese) and mailtrucks. This guy has a thing for civil service. There's also a downtown water feature that brings out all the kids (and their Nanas):
And there's an extraordinary statue around the corner, a massive Momma Elephant with a Baby Elephant on top. "Momma--eheheh... Bebe--eheheh... tock!" Sam was just the right size to walk underneath the statue; brave Nana valiantly followed!
All told a good time was had across species and generations. So good, in fact, that upon return to Seattle, Sam's grown a bit of a grump-streak that involves periodic stomping and back-arching. Our thinking here is that, at least in part, he's getting more complex interests and is struggling a bit to express what it is he's interested in. We've been spending time reading the "How I Feel" book (Sam calls it "feel book!") in the hopes that Captain Verbal can express his frustrations in words. He does live with an educational psychologist, after all...
Lastly, the neighbors staged an energy-building "happening" at a nearby intersection on behalf of a certain presidential candidate. Sam makes a pretty great campaigner, I must say! Now if only 18 months was the legal voting age.
Now that's change we can believe in!
3 comments:
What a lovely visit! Pop-pop and I are still commenting on every helmet and trash truck we see. We miss you already.
Mimi just wants to chime in...Sam has good judgment for the important things...trash trucks, elephants, family, and finally, presidential choices! Glad the trip was so great for everyone! I just got back from painting for a week near Portland, Maine. As far as I am concerned, Maine is the state for us! I have never seen such beauty. I will be working to convince Grampa that there is a future (eventually) there for retirement. So, perhaps, Portland and Portland may be grandparent havens! Love to all!
Ha! These pictures of Sam and the kids with Obama signs remind me of anti-war posters my parents used to put on Rebecca and my strollers. We lovingly sigh and say "and that explains a lot."
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