MUSIC IN THE PARK 2019

The concert-behind-our-house season has begun!

We walked to Tanner Creek Park, I had my usual jumping session in the bouncy castle, and we ate dinner to the tunes of a Styx cover band!

Jul 26

FRUIT LOOP

It was our final day in the Columbia River Gorge, and we started off with a quick breakfast in downtown Hood River.

Then we headed off to the “Fruit Loop,” a section of Hood River filled with local produce and u-pick fruit and flowers.

Our first stop was The Gorge White House, where we picked lots of raspberries and blueberries, a few strawberries and blackberries, and a fruit I’d never heard of called pink lemonade blueberries.

Then we went to an antique shop called The Old Trunk. I was already so hot and tired, I just lounged in their outdoor picnic area.

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of lavender, so we continued on to Hood River Lavender Farms.

I was almost ready to go home, but I wanted to go to one more lavender farm, Lavender Valley.

The lavender was swarming with bees, but I still love to smell it. Bees and I have good taste!

Jul 25

HOOD RIVER, OR

We crossed the Hood River Bridge to visit…Hood River!

I waded in the Columbia River at the Hood River Waterfront Park.

It was over 90 degrees, so we took breaks in our sun shade and laughed at something I can’t remember on Daddy’s phone.

After a day at the river beach, it was time to head back to our cabin. But I wanted to climb this cool dirt hill first!

I also mastered climbing the ladder that goes to the loft in our cabin!

Jul 24

STEVENSON, WA

About a month ago, I suddenly declared I wanted to go camping. There weren’t any campsites left in Oregon and we don’t have any camping equipment anyway.

So we rented a little cabin in Stevenson, WA instead. The trip got off to a great start when we got to cross the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods!

Here’s our home for the next two nights.

It has a ladder that leads to a loft – just like a Minecraft house!

We wandered around the grounds near the cabin and found this little stump seat.

There was also lots of lavender.

And an old tractor.

Daddy wanted to look like he was on the cover of Farming Magazine.

It’s really pretty here in the Columbia River Gorge!

Jul 17

NEIL AND HIS FAMILY

Daddy’s old friend, Neil, visited Portland with his wife and two kids. So we hung out with them!

First, we went to Pine State Biscuits where I danced because I didn’t like the biscuits.

Then we went to the Rose Garden in Washington Park to check out some tulips. (Kidding!)

I smelled several of the roses until I realized I don’t like the smell of roses.

I also walked down to the amphitheater and pretended to put on a show.

At this point, I was a little bored with roses, so I pretended I was on a rollercoaster.

I also stood in this line with Neil and his kids, Samantha and Owen. (Owen is just like me! He loves Minecraft, doesn’t like hiking, and thinks eating is a big waste of time.)

While walking back to our car for the next adventure, we came across this tree with big exposed roots.

Then we went to Powell’s Books. I did more dancing on the way.

This is pretty much what I do in bookstores.

Finally, we went to Salt & Straw for some ice cream. I got the honey lavender flavor! (Then, I was so tired, I accidentally dropped it on the sidewalk.)

The lady in the pink shirt is Neil’s wife, Liz. She had the salted caramel. It was nice meeting you all!

Jul 14

AT HOME WITH KENJI

Before we went to the farm yesterday, Kenji and I turned letters and numbers into robots with my Alpha-Bots.

And when we got back home, it was time to protect the homestead with our water shooters.

I was also determined to be able to pick up Kenji.

But it just devolved into a group hug.

Before Kenji left this morning, we noticed he and Daddy were wearing matching shirts! It was fun having you here, Little Captain America!

Jul 13

TRISKELEE FARM

Kenji is here!

He’s a big animal lover, so we went to Triskelee Farm in West Linn. I was also excited to see the pigs and llamas (turned out they were actually alpacas) because they’re my favorites in Minecraft!

First, we waited for our farm guide in a cool barn.

Kenji and Aunt Lisa played a game of ping pong in the barn.

While we were waiting, Kenji and I liked running down the little ramp outside the barn.

Then it was time to see the animals. The goats were first.

Kenji went right in and immediately started feeding them.

I was pretty scared of them and terrified at the idea of feeding them…but I did it anyway because I’m super brave!

Then it was time to see the pigs. Daddy liked this fella, Fungi.

And Kenji and I hung out with Shiitake.

Then it was time for the alpacas.

I definitely was not going to feed them, but Kenji did!

It was around this time I was wondering when the farm tour would be done…

…But there were still ostriches to see!

Kenji was immediately ready to feed them some corn.

Daddy liked feeding them, too.

I liked holding the big soft ostrich feather.

The ostrich I liked best was the one in this cage…

…the baby!

Then it was off to see the horses. Daddy loved them!

Thanks for the tour, Triskelee Farm!

Jul 7

ALPENROSE DAIRYVILLE

We went to a tiny fake town called Dairyville at a Portland dairy farm called Alpenrose.

There was this wild animal named Daddy who tried to bite me!

Also, I’m not sure if Santa lives here?

Despite my smiles, I actually thought this place was super not fun. But Daddy kept me happy by swinging me around, so I could pretend I was on a rollercoaster!

Jul 5

SCHOOL PLAYGROUND EVENT

My new school principal, Mrs. Leonard, invited us to a popsicle night at the playground. I met two boys – Raleigh and Cameron – who will be going to kindergarten in the fall, too.

The playground is really big and kind of scary, but I was able to manage this climbing thing all by myself!