We spent last weekend in Portland, convening with my parents at my brother’s house for an early Thanksgiving / birthday celebration for my mom / general cousin love-fest – the whole family typically gets together only at Christmas, so this was a happy bonus. The weekend was wet and chilly, though Mitch and Kathryn’s hot tub and fireplace offered much solace as we eased into winter.
It seems like the age gap between Morgan and Juliette lessens with each visit – these two were thick as thieves, happily bouncing from one activity to another together. Coloring! Dolls! House! Shopkins!
The age gap between Elise and Jules, though, is bigger than ever… This kid would be content to spend an entire day quietly cuddled under a blanket with a book. Kindred spirits, Elise and I.
Despite Saturday morning’s drizzle, we found ourselves itching to get outside. We warmed ourselves with lattes and vanilla steamers and then headed to Mount Tabor Park for a playground romp.
Northwest kids ain’t gonna let a little rain keep them down!
Post-playground, the girls set up a cozy den of sleeping bags and kicked back with a couple of bowls of popcorn and a movie.
And then the moment the credits started rolling on Trolls, the kids were raring to go again. Back out we went, this time to Westmoreland Park.
We’ve been coming to this playground for the past couple of years, and it’s been fun to see Juliette become a bit bolder with each subsequent visit. I’ve held her hand as she’s traversed this log a dozen times or more. Now, though, “Let me do it, Mama!”
Morgan and Juliette deemed me the “bad witch” and banished me from their fort with their imaginary wands.
In the end, though, we all made up.
A sitter came over on Saturday evening to stay with the kids and the grown-ups went out to toast to my mom’s birthday with burgers and beer. Ahhhh, a table free from coloring sheets and back-up snacks! What a luxury! Happy Birthday, Mom.
I woke up on Sunday morning to find that Elise and Juliette had renewed their affection for one another.
Post-breakfast was, of course, PARK TIME.
My heart gets a little ooey-gooey when I see these three put their arms around each other. I’ve held each of these girls as babies, felt my world rocked with abounding love as I looked into their eyes. And now, golly, they’re so big. So different from one another. And all so beautiful.
Thanksgiving most definitely started early this year – I’m feeling mucho gratitude for this family of mine.
