pictures vs. 1,000 words

Miki is Friendly and Enthusiastic

(Don't worry, beneath that blue sweatshirt she's wearing a very tight glow in the dark skeleton shirt.)

Various Adjustments and New Skills on Nehalem St.

So Ida's hair was getting out of control again. Mostly the length in the front + a disdain for hair bands and/or barrettes made the front of her hair often full of food and/or snot (which often stuck her hair to her face. It looked like this, at best:


It could also be a hassle, as this short film demonstrates:



So, a quick haircut. "I look kind of like Elsie, but like me."


Meanwhile, here's a new triumphant skill that Miki's picked up. Like a champion, proud of herself.


Not to be outdone:


See ya later...

Attack on Sauvie

Another bright day in PDX, so we all packed it up and went up to Sauvie Island to hike around. Lots of hi-jinks in the parking lot:


Miki liked it.


The hike involved a lot of people saying "Is it all right if I hide and scare you?" and then a lot of people leaping out of bushes and shouting and running away. Terrifying. We saw a bunny, two snakes, and one lone boot (I told Ida someone had been scared right out of his boots and she keeps wondering about that boot). Anyway, once we got to the picnic tables, it was time to eat. Here, a series of photos of people with mouths full of food.





Ida kept straying to other tables, harassing other people and fishermen, mostly trying to get a clear path to the water.


Here is a fine film that documents Elsie and Ida having a serious discussion. I'll title it "The Negotiation."

Moral: No one wants to be the baby tiger. The medium sister, maybe.

Ida + Miki vs. Mount Hood

Went up to find some snow. Ida is into it. (She eats all colors.)


So is Miki; she wants you to see her teeth.


Wilderness! O Wilderness!


Varying reports of the success of small snowshoes; much falling. Much desire to head down into a deep and dangerous crevasse, toward a river. Ida was very cheerful about it, however.


And getting down was much easier and quicker than going up...

roses out, blueberries in

"I don't want anyone down here."

If one goes hiking with Ida to a place like Powell Butte, she often heads off on her own to have an adventure, letting her parents, cousins and relatives, as well as any passersby know that she does not want any company where she's going. That's her, a speck on the horizon.



After a period of time, however, she'll begin to shout, "I'm wonely! I'm wonely! I'm all awone!"

Miki vs. Theo

Dear Theo,

Why did you have to attack me when I was strapped into my car seat and couldn't get away? It really hurt my face.

Love from your cousin,

Miki

The Girls are Growing Right UP

Over at Tumbleweeds (where, fortunately, they're taking more pictures than we are), Miki is working hard on her pincer grasp. She's a regular lobster, and loves to eat...


Here at home she drags herself along under the table, battling Ichi for table scraps.


Ida has been very busy at TW, as well:


I have been training her with my many Wilderness and Survival manuals, and she is becoming adept at building shelters and identifying edible insects.


Meanwhile, I've been spending a fair amount of time in the basement, involved in various scenarios with Ida (and Matthew, Big Baby, Hazel, Teddy Bear, and Pooki). One of her favorites is "airport," where we have to ride the airplane, and we are designated as the pilot (Ida), co-pilot (sometimes me), "Alligator" (navigator) (usually Miki, sometimes Matthew, sometimes Ella), and passenger (everyone else). There's a lot of variation and bossiness involved. Here's an example of a recent conversation:

Ida: Daddy, do you want to ride the elevator or the es-cavator?

Pete: It's an escalator. Or an excavator.

I: It's an escavator!

P: Okay.

I: Do you want to ride the elevator or the escavator?

P: Should I ride the elevator or the escavator, do you think?

I: You susside!!!

P: Okay. I'll ride the escavator, I guess; I've never ridden one.

I: We-e-e-ll . . . the escavator's broken today, so you have to ride the elevator.