Portland Parents

My mother gave me a bite size tester of “Lunchbox Love” from sayplease.com.

My elder daughter doesn’t take a lunch bag but she has to take her clarinet to school each day. I put a few in there for her. It amused me; I always wanted to be the kind of father who left little notes for his kids in their lunches. And this is a relatively inexpensive way to do it. Each card is about a quarter. On one side is some affirmation (“Thank you for being honest!”) and on the other is a little bit of trivia (“Big Bird on Sesame Street is only 6 years old”). Each one is colorful and fun.

Check them out!

Here’s something fun to do this weekend; take binoculars, cameras and $10 per car (cash only), head up to Sauvie’s Island, and go to the Audobon Society’s Raptor Road Trip. It’s from 9AM to 2PM, but they say to plan 3 hours to do all four locations (11 to 2 would work for you later risers). You should be able to see plenty of Bald Eagles, some Red Tailed Hawks, American Kestrels and Northern Harriers.

The Audobon Society will have their spotting scopes out, so your binocs are optional, but who’s to say how many people will be waiting for them.

The fee of $10 per car includes a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking permit.

You can get more information at The Audobon Society of Portland website.

Interested in a smaller preschool that shows dedication to the 2-5 year olds? Chrysalis Home School, a small, home-based preschool is having an informational meeting for parents who may be interested in enrolling their child for fall 2010.

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Well, here’s a fine how-do-you-do. Check out the Toys R Us catalog offering here… You can purchase a special pink microscope or telescope for your frill loving daughter. What’s that you say? A pink microscope’s not too bad?

Notice that each pink item is lower powered than the more sedate black and grey version. So yeah, your daughter (or frill loving son) might be thrilled with the pink one but they won’t quite make out the moons of Jupiter with them now will they?

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Calling all Teen Authors! Bored this winter break?
Grades 6-12

Multnomah County Library is holding a Teen Writing Contest. Up to 1500 words, prose only. The contest will run until January 10, or until 200 entries are received. More Information!

You could win a Powell’s Gift Card!!

With children, the holidays are magical. They remind us adults of what it means to believe in something extraordinary, and they help us to find the beauty in simple tasks. Decorating the tree, lighting a candle, and baking cookies become sacred events, because the presence and wonder of a child transforms an otherwise mundane activity into ritual.

However, even around the holidays, a child’s level of presence and wonder can be hindered if he or she is struggling emotionally or behaviorally. Sometimes this occurs after a divorce, a birth or death, or a move. Other times, children struggle with an event the parents are sure the child can’t remember, such as an adoption, or birth trauma. In some cases, parents have no idea why the child has been acting out/ acting in, having trouble at school, or fighting with siblings.

Between wanting the best for your children and wanting to enjoy a care-free holiday season, it’s difficult knowing what to do or say when your child begins exhibiting bad behavior or has emotional melt-downs. If you have hit your limit as a parent or if your whole family has been affected by your child’s lack of presence, it may be time to seek out professional help, someone who is able to help restore balance and peace to the family system in time for the New Year.

Nicole Haxby, M.A. is a children’s psychotherapist located in SW Portland. She specializes in Experiential Play Therapy and works holistically with children struggling from emotional and behavioral issues. For more information on Nicole and her practice please visit her website at www.childrensplaytherapy.com . Nicole can be reached at 971-322-5164.

Content supplied by Nicole Haxby.

Sometimes I have to wonder, what twelve year olds do authors know. Some authors really nail the personality of the pre-teen, while others seem to think there’s not a big difference between nine and twelve.

On one hand, we have Derek Landy. Skullduggery Pleasant is a fun story, a little more mystery-action than fantasy. However, Stephanie is resourceful, witty, smart, individual … she’s fascinated by magic, she’s a great kid who (frankly) reminds me of my daughter. When she faces problems, she works hard at overcoming them. Stephanie is more like Harry Potter- still a kid but with some great structure and a great personality.

On the other hand, we have King Lathmar in Blood of Ambrose. He’s a boy, also 12, who, when faced with problems, cries. His grandmother helps him escape from a bloody coup, and he cries all the way out of the castle, then some nice peasants find him and help him, and they take him back to the castle. He just goes along with it. He couldn’t be any more different from Stephanie if one of them sprouted wings and a snout. It’s not a terrible book, it’s darker fantasy and aimed more at adults than kids, but I think Grim Skulduggery was a more enjoyable read.

Of course, the environments these two kids grew up in shaped them. Stephanie has to handle a lot of stuff on her own. Her best friend was an author (he died and left her his house). Lathmar has been coddled, has had guards every day, his grandmother had done everything for him.

So, ask yourself; what sort of 12 year old are you raising? And where do these authors get their models?

Note: The links to books on this post are, of course, affiliate links. Because “baby needs new shoes.” However, I stand by my opinions

Here’s a picture of the Santa my daughter went to see at Clackamas Town Center. He was great. No “Bad Santa” here. The other malls all have their own “Helper Santas” but we happened to be in the right place at the right time to catch this one. Santa at Pioneer Place today was “Ho Ho Ho”ing and waving at people. And he caught my eye and said loudly “I bet you’re still looking for that choo choo train.” He had a great attitude (but not much line at 1PM on a friday. )

Let’s see some other Santas out there- where’s the best one?

Wednesday is Veteran’s Day, and is also a free admissions day to the Japanese Gardens. Even when it rains, the Japanese Gardens are a beautiful place to meander. Stroll through the dripping greens and enjoy the serene surroundings!

And “ever so much more so …” at the Pavilion, in the gardens is currently running The Bontei Tray Gardens of Marc Peter Keane! Two visions of loveliness for the price of one.

Since you’ll have the kids on Wednesday, you might as well throw them in the car and head on up to the Japanese Gardens!

Congratulations to the people who won- Denise and Kristi!

Thanks so much for the entries. If you didn’t win, I sympathize. The final two pictures were indeed, from Powell’s Books and from the Ron Tonkin mural. Congrats!