ReadySetMom

Get out and play! July 19 & 20

Saturday, July 19

Just added! Gresham Art Walk, Downtown Gresham, 9am-5pm: Enjoy browsing (and buying!) the work of 85 artists, as well as live music, free kid art and craft activities, and the Gresham Farmers Market.

Just added! Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, underneath the St. John's Bridge, Saturday & Sunday: Great jazz. In the park. For free. Also food and beer. Let the kiddos frolic while you lounge. Check out the Web site for the scheduled line-up of bands.

Willy Wonka: Multiple performances Saturday and Sunday in Washington Park. Choose either the kid cast or all-adult cast. FREE. Fun!

Portland Parks Concerts at Powell Butte, 7pm: Enjoy a little jazz in the park with Rich Halley's Outside Music Ensemble. FREE. SE 162nd & Powell Blvd.

Portland Highland Games, Mt. Hood Community College, 8am-5:30pm: Men in skirts! Throwing large objects! Fun for all. Adults $20, Youth ages 6-17 $10, Under 5 FREE.

Pets in the Pearl, 10am-3pm: Love animals? This fundraiser celebrates pets with merchandise, gifts, food and entertainment, pet adoptions and lots of furry, fluffy things. Ecotrust Building, 721 NW 9th (near Jamison Fountain, just in case you want to kill two birds...ha ha...so to speak).

Pinocchio, Broadway Rose Theatre Co., 11am: The classic tale with a twist! Tickets available online, by phone or at the door: $6.

Yoshida's Sand in the City, Pioneer Courthouse Square: Amazing sand sculptures! In the city!

Parent's Survival Night at The Little Gym, Lake Oswego: Really, your kids need a break from you, doncha think? They'll have fun bopping around, and you can go see the new Batman movie! Call 503-595-9702 for info. 17890 SW McEwan.

Sunday, July 20

Hot July Nights in Vancouver, 3pm: Former Miss America Katie Harman performs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra followed by local violin hottie Aaron Meyer. $10 per family. Esther Short Park.

Yoshida's Sand in the City, Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Junior Ranger Program, Tryon Creek State Park, 1-2pm: Kids ages 6-12 learn about plants, animals and protecting our natural resources. FREE, no preregistration required, but parent participation recommended. Then stay for the...

Millenium Woodwind Quartet, Tryon Creek State Park, 2-3pm: Oboes, clarinets and flutes, oh my! FREE.

Forest Grove's Concours d'Elegance, Pacific University, 8:30am-4:30pm. 250 antique cars! Tickets $7-15, under 5 FREE.

Feel free to add other events in the comments!

Can you tell I have zero attention span? Could it be that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is calling? The force is too great...cannot...resist...

Sex talk and six-year olds?

Imagine overhearing this conversation between two six-year old boys, one of which is your son (Boy 2):

Boy 1:  Have you seen WALL-E?
Boy 2:  No, have you?
Boy 1:  Yeah, I saw it two days ago.
Boy 2:  Oh.
Boy 1:  There are two robots that kiss at the end of the movie.
Boy 2:  Gross.
Boy 1:  Then everybody has to leave because they start doin' it.
Boy 2:  (blank stare).

A friend actually experienced this the other day and waited with bated breath and heart palpitations for the big question from her son, "Doin' what? What were they doin'?" It didn't come because her son, Boy 2, moved on to a different subject, as six-year olds are wont to do. But she knows it will come up again, sooner than she'd like. She writes, "What do you do when a friend of your child knows more about "it" than your child does, and what do you do when they start hearing about "it"? Do you wait for the question, or do you jump in with an explanation?"

I just had a heart palpitation thinking about it. I always imagined the talk would happen, you know, naturally. The innocent question, "Where do babies come from?" would be asked, which would lead to an honest explanation, after which they would be so repulsed that they'd swear to never have S-E-X until they were 25. Yea! Six-year olds are so much more, I don't know, older now than they used to be. Let's blame advertising.

Have you experienced sex talk with younger kids?

Velcro: you are tearing me apart!

Dear Velcro,

I'm over you. I mean it. For good. I really don't know why I've let you treat me so poorly for all these years. Sure, I thought we'd be good together. You were this cool technological advance in fastening! You were supposed to make life easier -- but didn't! Sure, I held on for a while even though I knew you weren't good for me. Then it seemed important to make it work for the kids' sake. It takes a long time to teach little fingers to tie shoelaces, or buckle up/unbuckle shoes. So I chose you, Velcro: the path of least resistance. Yes, Velcro fastenings are on just about everything, but mostly on the shoes and sandals. I guess it worked for a while. It was like a marriage of convenience. But now it's all so clear. You just stop caring. The bristly part gets all gummed up with lint. The soft part doesn't want anything to do with the bristly part after a while. So there you are with just about every pair of shoes in your kid's closet not staying on any more! Talk about a lack of commitment! Well, maybe it's not about commitment. I guess you are putting up a good front. You look like you're all there. But after a while, you just don't work. So then I find myself fantasizing about odd scenarios. Would these sandals still work if I could Frankenstein some kind of snap or buckle onto them?? Should I take them to a shoe repair shop? Or are they just cheap shoes, and I need to buy better, old-fashioned, less flashy technology next time. Remember lace ups? Remember one-two-buckle my shoe? I'm so there. See you later Velcro. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

R.

Forest Heights fair will benefit the neighborhood school

The first-ever Forest Heights Community Night Market is happening this Saturday, July 19. Food and drink vendors will join artists, artisans and local businesses for a fun evening event.

Hooray to the organizers, because a portion of the evening street fair's proceeds will be given to the Forest Park Elementary School Foundation, our neighborhood school.

The event will take place Saturday from 5 to 9 pm at the Forest Heights Village Center, at the intersection of Miller and Mill Ridge Roads. Stores at the center include PIzzicato, Starbucks and Quinn's Prime and Vine market.

P.S. Wish you were here

My son just got a postcard in the mail. A handwritten picture postcard, with a P.S. at the end and an actual stamp on it.

In this era of email and texting, a postcard in the mail is worth mentioning, don't you think?

The friend, who is on a three-week road trip down the East Coast with his family, picked out a postcard with a picture of sea turtles because they both like them. He wrote that he misses talking with my son and that he found a book about Pokemons, another interest they share. In his scrawly, going-into-5th-grade penmanship, he had obviously written out the message and ran out of room for the address, so he wrote it at the top and drew a box around it.

My son thought it was cool to get mail from his friend, but I was even more touched. I was a big letter writer as a kid. At one point, I had half a dozen pen pals across the country. I regularly wrote letters to a great aunt in New York. In my 20s and before email, I sent postcards to friends when I went on vacations. I loved getting mail.

So the fact that a kid today took the time to look for a perfect postcard, wrote out a personal message complete with exclamation points and actually mailed it is a great thing.

I'm bringing stamps with us on our next vacation.

Comparing apples and french fries

Over on Enviromom.com, Renee writes about an eye-opening book called "Hungry Planet," which describes what 30 families from 24 countries eat in a week. Not surprisingly, the American family's food spending was at the high end of the spectrum, perhaps largely because of the amount of processing and packaging of food that occurs in our country.

I've reserved the book at the library and I'm even more compelled to read it with my kids after seeing a recent ad for Burger King. The fast-food chain has just added apples to its kids' meal menu.

Apples cut and packaged to look like french fries, that is.

Just think of all the unnecessary handling, slicing and preserving of apples that is happening so kids can be tricked into eating fruit. Throw in the manufacturing and printing of the special packaging that the fruit surely comes tucked into. Lastly, consider the waste from the packaging and from the kids who throw away the apples uneaten because, come on, they're at Burger King and they want real french fries, not apples disguised as french fries.

I have a kid who eats very little fruit. He's even less likely to eat fruit sitting in a Burger King restaurant. If they really want customers to "Have It Your Way," then I prefer my apples whole and in their natural, fabulous packaging.

Birthday party dilemma: go or no go to an activity your child dislikes

Let's say your child was just invited to a birthday party. It's a destination party, and the activity is spelunking. You know your child is deathly afraid of cave-like spaces. Do you:

• Politely decline, and not even let your child know they'll be missing the party that to them might seem like a cruel reality show
• Accept and try to coax your child into the spirit of the fun: "I'll stay with you. I promise there will be no bats! It's not cold and dark and slimy. Really! It'll be fun!!"
• Ask your child what he/she wants to do, knowing there will be mishmash of stirred up emotions: fear, disappointment, stress, bravery, etc.

Now, the spelunking example is made-up. But my kids have both gone through phases where they did not like loud, splashy kid pools where birthday parties are often held. They've been invited rock-climbing, which they rather liked, despite being apprehensive at first. There's been gymnastics/tumbling, which was such a hit, we had to host one of those ourselves. There's been roller-skating, which one of my kids loves and one hates. So you can see how this might be difficult. What do you do?

FREE Westside library events next week!

Mark your calenders! Lots of fun, free events at Westside libraries next week!

Tuesday, July 15

Northwest Library: Steve's Creature Feature, 3:30-4:30pm. This is a must see (if slimy, slithery things don't gross you out). Steve has brought his reptile creatures to my kids' preschool the past few years and the kids absolutely love him. Free, but limited seating.

Tigard Library: Roots Music for Kids with Victor Johnson, 4:30-5:30pm. Lively music for families that will get your hands clapping and toes tapping.

Beaverton Library: Jugglemania! 7pm, all ages. I saw Rhys Thomas perform his juggling magic at Gabriel Park a couple of weeks ago, and he's fantastic! Very funny and entertaining. Little kids got restless before the one-hour show was over, but the 5 and older set seemed pretty mesmerized.

Wednesday, July 16 (aka, Bug Wednesday)

Central Library: Hug-A-Bug, Music for Tots, 11am-Noon. The Red Boot Duo performs guitar, harmonic, oboe and other instruments, while parents keep the beat and kids work out some energy. There will be bubbles! Free, though seating is limited.

Beaverton Library: Christopher Leebrick presents "Slugs, Bugs & Tales," 2pm. Award-winning storyteller shares stories about bugs and other crawly things. Ages 4 and up.

Hillsdale Library: A Bug's Eye View, Stories About Bugs, 3:30-4:30pm. Courtney Campbell from 'Mustard Pancakes' offers an interactive program of music and stories about bugs! Limited seating; free tickets available 30 minutes before program begins.

Garden Home Rec Center/Library: The Great Bug Hunt, 4pm. The Pink Pig Puppet Theater presents a silly story starring a rooster and a sheepdog.   

Thursday

Capitol Hill Library: A Bug's Eye View, Stories About Bugs, 2-3pm. See description above.

Friday

Hillsboro/Tanasbourne Library: Captain Abdul's Pirate Preschool, 10:30am-Noon. Songs, crafts, stories and grub in pirate mode. Costumes encouraged, and parents must accompany children. Ages 3-6.

Free Slurpees today at 7-Eleven

Today is 7-11. There is a chain of stores called 7-Eleven. The store is honoring the day with free Slurpees, the 7.11 oz version, of course.

One of the current flavors is called Monster Black Ice and is billed as the first totally black Slurpee. I think I'll stick to cherry.

There's nothing like a cold drink on a hot day, especially if it's free.

Get out and play: weekend of July 11-13, 2008

Friday, July 11

Catch a few free flicks: Family-friendly film for all ages, 5pm at Cafe Sip-n-Play in Vancouver. Or enjoy a film outside at dusk at Multnomah Outdoor Cinema.

Or better yet... How about some free theater? Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory at Washington Park. Shows at 6:30pm July 10-27 (except Mondays)

Saturday, July 12

Over in the 'Couv... Celebrate GreenFest! Vancouver's free community sustainability festival. Music, workshops, bike rides. 10am to 4pm. Free.

Put yer Keens on and head over to Pioneer Square for the Free Keen STAND for Sustainability. Noon to 4pm, Pioneer Courthouse Square. For the kiddies: Mudeye Recycled Puppet shows, Japanese band Dachambo and sustainable art ceations with SCRAP and Gravity Free. For the grown-ups: beer garden.

If you prefer uncomfortable shoes, something fashionable, along the lines of couture... Perhaps a premature celebration of Bastille Day in the Pearl is in order. Free Frenchified antics at Jamison Square Park will feature a waiters' race (2pm) face painting, bounce house, crafts, and plenty of cheesy outrageous French accents. Free. 11am to 6pm.

Feeling groovy? Ready for some Peace, Love and Joan Baez? Head to the Children's Museum for Baby Woodstock: kid rock bands, tie-dying of t-shirts, and other crafty/hippie activities. Most events free with museum admission (small charge for some crafts). 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday.

But perhaps you're feeling shy, like a turtle. If so, there's the Painted Turtle Walk for ages 5 and up at 1pm at the Smith/Bybee Wetlands. Free, but advanced registration required.

Just looking for some nature appreciation? The Oregon Lavender Festival is this Saturday and Sunday. Tour up to 21 locations featuring different varieties of that beautiful purple floral haze.

Not busy enough for you? How about the ever-popular Mississippi Street Fair. Free. 10am to 7pm.  Music, dance lessons, kid activities, puppets, storytelling. 

Sunday, July 13

Portland Art Museum Family Day. Family tour at 12:30pm. Drop-in artsy crafting from 1-3pm. Storytime at 2:30pm. 17 and under is free. Adults $10.

Singer Lisa Loeb at the Barnes & Noble in Clackamas Town Center. Singing cool kid music. Signing CDs. What ever happened to records? And 8-tracks? Man, I feel old. All ages. 2pm. Free.

Last, but not least, check out the Garden of Natural Delights tour. Free (but tickets required through Metro), self-guided tour lets your peer in the yards of some of Portland's finest, chemical-free gardens.

Have a great weekend! Any other fun family friendly events to add to the mix?

Flip-flops are fashionable in this family

Remember the White House flip-flop controversy a few years ago? Northwestern University's women's championship lacrosse team was invited to meet President Bush. The official photo marking the occasion showed several of the players wearing flip-flops with their dresses and skirts. The women were criticized for choosing to wear such casual footwear to a visit with the leader of our country.

I couldn't have agreed more. I thought flip-flops were beyond casual and bordering on sloppy. They belonged at the pool or the beach, not in the Oval Office, and especially not paired with nice dresses. I never wore them because that strap between my toes was never comfortable. Plus, if you didn't have a good pedicure (usually the case with me), flip-flops just made it more obvious.

Ah, that was then. Now it's summer and I've been shopping. I now own no fewer than four pairs of flip-flops and I wear them just about everywhere. I blame my kids, who live in flip-flops and Crocs.

What changed? They're much more comfortable and they're much more stylish. And so affordable, as far as shoes are concerned.

I have plain old black $5 Old Navy ones for the pool. I recently bought another pair of black ones that have hot pink piping on the straps. My melon-colored silver-sequined ones look great with skirts.

I wouldn't wear them to the White House, but I've come around on flip-flops as fashion footwear. Have you?

Flying with kids: lowering expectations

My kids love Tessy & Tab, and are always thrilled when one of the magazines shows up in our mailbox. The most recent featured Tessy & Tab "On an Airplane." The timing couldn't have been better, as we are going on a big trip to Disney World in less than two weeks. And yes, it will involve airplane travel. 

Now, I'm not a big fan of flying with kids. We flew everywhere with our first child (my husband and I were both working, had lots o' Frequent Flier miles -- and we just had one kid). Piece of cake. Except for the fact that she didn't learn to pop her ears during ascent/descent until she was 5 and would cry so hard from the pain that she vomited. Those air-sick bags don't hold as much as you'd think. And it's remarkable how kind some flight attendants are and how others treat you as if you might have Ebola if you try to ask for assistance post-upchuck.

So while the kids are wildly excited about getting on a plane, me -- not so much. I read Chelsea Cain's latest Oregonian piece about flying with her one kid -- and it made me want to slash my wrists. Regardless, I find I need to lower the children's expectations a bit. After all, we live in an economic downturn (don't say recession!), so I don't want them to think they're going to wind up with the smorgasbord of snacks that Tessy & Tab enjoy on their little make-believe plane (but it does make me wonder --  are they flying Singapore Air? Looks fairly luxe!!). They've got applesauce, cheese, slices of salami for the meat eaters, crackers, AND drinks!  But get this: empty seats on EITHER SIDE OF THEM!!

Don't get your hopes up kids. Here's what you can expect: your CHOICE of 3 peanuts or 3 mini pretzels (I do mean individual tiny peanuts -- not whole packages). And there will be one can of six-ounce apple juice circulating among all the members of coach. They'll have one of those clorox wipes so that you can take a swig of juice, wipe your mouth germs off the can and pass it on to the passenger next to you -- because, believe it, there will be someone next to you. 

They don't believe me. Silly old mom. But we know who's going to have the last laugh, now don't we?

What day is it?

Now that it's summer, I'm totally losing track of the days of the week. Mondays seem like Saturdays. Thursdays seem like Sundays.

And apparently, Tuesdays feel like Wednesdays.

Yesterday, I came up with what I thought was a great head-downtown-for-fun itinerary of a puppet show, farmers market and Pioneer Courthouse Square concert. But the farmers market happens on Wednesdays, not Tuesdays. I am so sorry if anyone headed to the South Park Blocks to find nary a strawberry because of my brain shutdown.

Is anyone else suffering brain malfunctions because of summer?

Good parks for young cyclists?

While walking the neighborhood with friends last night we were trying to think of some good Portland parks where a new cyclist with training wheels could safely ride (not too crowded and relatively flat) and get some good experience. I think there are only two places we've taken our kids to ride:

• Rieke Elementary in Hillsdale, which has a huge blacktop area (and I'm guessing most elementary schools would offer something similar?)
• Willamette Park, on the river in John's Landing. They have sidewalks that are pretty good for kids.

Can you suggest some other spots for the four-wheeling set?

Picking up toys: what is realistic?

We had an explosion at our house last night that's been building for a long time. My husband and I had told the kids repeatedly to pick up the playroom, even going so far to tell them exactly what to pick up, but they continued to mess around and the toys didn't get picked up. My husband took them to their rooms, doling out some pretty strong words, while I scooped up everything on the floor into boxes and bins and tossed it into the laundry room. You can imagine the tears. Even I was pretty shook up (though the playroom looks pretty good now without much in it).

My husband and I talked about it later trying to figure out if we'd gone too far. Neither one of us has a clear understanding of realistic expectations for a 6.5 and almost 4-year old in terms of clean-up time. We go through this almost every single day. The kids make a huge mess in the playroom; virtually all of the toys are on the floor. We have to walk through it to get to the family room and their bedrooms, so it's not like 'out of sight, out of mind.' If they are capable of making the mess, shouldn't they be capable of picking it up? It seems like they should.

Even when we help them pick-up, they still just mess around and we do most of the clean-up work. Threats of withheld privileges don't seem to make a difference. Turning it into a contest doesn't seem to make a difference. Talking to them about how lucky they are to have such nice toys and 'shouldn't you take care of these nice toys' doesn't make a difference. We are at our wit's end.

How do you handle clean-up time at your house? Do you have your kids pick up toys throughout the day? Or is it just unrealistic to expect kids this age to clean up after themselves? Or do you not mind the mess and just live with it? Any advice?