Eugenious

Started off with a great trip to the Stewart Aquatic Center with Sylvan and Elena: warm pool, other kids, mosaics of sea creatures on the pool bottom that scared Elena (it was the “tentacles on the octopus,” said Sylvan), my son undressing and dressing himself in the locker room. I’ve avoided the pool for a while, wondering how I’d manage two kids. Sylvan’s comfortable enough in the water that I just gave him a pool noodle and watched him float around. He says he’s going to do a somersault in the water next time we go.

Lunch at the Hideaway Bakery, my favorite place in Eugene other than my porch. Split a Caprese sandwich (pesto, red pepper spread, fresh mozz, tomatoes on their grilled bread; it’s Sylvan’s favorite sandwich, because he has good taste), had cups of tomato-y Tuscan soup while Elena napped.

At home, the kids did this (note the chalky footprints):

while I finally put some framed pictures up on this wall. It’s pages of a spiral-bound calligraphy instruction book I found at a book sale long ago. It looks good on the wall, but it’s nothing compared to the kids’ neon chalk-enhanced “paper machine.”

And I got this picture in my e-mail today, which was taken yesterday. Cool, huh?

This was our house on Sunday, after Sylvan and Chris had mowed the grass, complete with small imp knocking blossoms off pretty, blooming trees:

It’s raining now, so no need to be envious.

Efficient this morning. Out of the house by 7:05 after Chris’s perfect waffles. Drove upriver in the rain listening to a podcast that C later told me was from a year and a half ago, not, oh, yesterday, as I thought it was. I’m going to need a bigger brain. Worked until early afternoon. Isn’t it nice to check things off the list? Museum of Natural History with the girl, who liked the Smilodon, the birds in the background murals, and drawing with colored pencils in the kids’ discovery area. On to rehearsal, where the girl spilled the Cheerios, wanted hugs, and gave everyone cheesy smiles. Then asked to put on her jacket, socks, and shoes, although C wouldn’t be there for another 20 minutes to rescue her. Salmon burgers and C’s fantastic fries for dinner.

Now for what you really want, some photos:

Zoolights at Portland's Oregon Zoo. Diana and I brought the kids on a crisp day after Christmas.

I'm at the beach! Pay attention to me! I'm in your picture!

Sylvan after a pretty huge sledding wipe-out. He's always been happier outside.

Two of the kissiest people I know.