Last gasp of summer

Today is probably the last nice day we'll see for a while; the weather forecast calls for it to crap out the next few days, with rain and highs only reaching the mid-60s or so. So today was really our last chance to get anything wonderful done outside. Yes, I have piles of work awaiting me (including catching up on bills and proofing the latest issue of the magazine). But perfect sunny days don't come around too often in these parts, so I was determined to take advantage of every last minute, knowing that Drew will take Rachel for a haircut (Picture Day is next week), grocery shopping and "the liberry!" in Rachel's world -- tomorrow so I can get down to work.

Anyway...this morning I woke up around 7 and couldn't go back to sleep, so at 7:30 I left for a glorious morning bike ride down the Eastbank Esplanade and part of the Springwater Corridor (a bike/pedestrian path that winds through Portland's industrial zone, but there are really pretty views of the Willamette). It was a foggy, muggy morning but the little hint of coolness make it perfect for a ride. Loved hearing the dragon boat captains exhort their teammates to pull! Work harder!" They barked their orders through the air as I rode down the trail, and I could hear them clearly. The path, by the way, was filled with runners. Portland may be Bike City, but there were more runners than bikers out this morning.

(Rachel, by the way, woke up as I was leaving, somehow figured out that Drew was still sleeping, then went into the living room, put on her paper crown and opened a book of hers about a dancing hippo). She was sitting on couch so calmly and quietly when I ran back into the house for something I forgot; I was very impressed. She later told Drew she didn't want on the door this morning because "I didn't want to make a lot of noise like Little Critter -- a character from a children's book we have -- and wake you up." We were stunned and delighted by her thoughtfulness and ability to express it!)

Later this morning we went to Oaks Park, a fabulous old-fashioned amusement park, with rides for kids Rachel's age, a rollerskating rink and and an Oktoberfest celebration. We met Amy, Greg, Jake and Tony there, as well as Amy's mom friend Nicole and her two kids, Avery (4) and Cameron (around 8, Tony's age). Drew went to the farmer's market and met up with us later. At first Rachel wanted to go on the carousel and Ferris Wheel with me, and on the carousel she wanted a stationary carriage. But soon enough she was impressing me by her desire to ride the kiddie toys ALONE (and riding them over and over again as the day wore on; luckily I broke down and bought an all-you-can-ride wristband so I was fine with her wanting to do everything multiple times). She loved the train ride, and on the big slide with wool mats, she insisted on doing it ALONE after Drew got here. When I called him at one point (I had gone off the with the grownups to get something to eat while Rachel and Drew spent the time together), Drew said sadly, "I've been DITCHED!" Meaning that Rachel also told him she wanted to ride the TRAIN alone (and, ironically, found herself sitting behind her friend Noah, who was at Oaks Park for a birthday party).

Amy, Gregh and the kids peeled off about an hour after Nicole, so that just left Mommy, Daddy and Rachel. Rachel rode some more rides and then we all decided it was time to go (I was still very tired from my 2-hour-long bike ride), so when Rachel fell asleep in the car, I was tempted to, as well. We ended up at a movie rental place; I hope I have enough energy to watch "Indochine."

We ate dinner at a place Drew has wanted to try called "Pine State Biscuits" and it's about food cooked mostly to...sandwich it between biscuits. Rachel got a side of fried chicken, which shs said is better than Mommy's (sigh). Then it was off to Baskin Robbins for an ice cream treat because Rachel ate such a good dinner, then home at 10 p.m. Another night where I wonder if our parenting skills are up to par, but Rachel enjoyed the heck out of the day, so hopefully whatever we're doing contnues to inspire and nurture her.