Portland Parents

Feeling adventurous?

Try this science experiment. For the first week (eight days) it might be kind of boring looking, but on the ninth, you’ll have an egg that’s only contained by the shell membrane. It’s translucent, wobbly, and you can see the yolk sloshing around. Probably not a good thing to throw at people, because the vinegar can seep through the membrane and your egg gets all pickled and gooey.

They may be our kids forever, but they won’t be kids forever. Enjoy what you’ve got when you’ve got it.

It took us three and a half hours to get our nine year old to bed; there was a lot of shouting “go to bed,” there was a lot of crying and whining, there was the not-quite-silent creeping down the stairs because she was “lonely” followed by more shouts of “go to bed.”

But in the middle of all of this, it should have come to me; she’s just a nine year old kid, who wants some more time with her folks. Haven’t we all been there? Ten minutes of cuddling would have gotten her to bed a lot sooner, and would have gotten me to calm down too. There’s something magical about holding onto your kid. Any age, from the baby sleeping on your belly as you lay on the couch and watch television (or doze, yourself), to the nine year old who wants to crawl into your bed in the middle of the night. How much longer will we have them?

So relax, and enjoy your kids while you have them.

It’s finally time to sign your kid up for the Summer reading program at your nearest library. Kids who read do better in school. While you’re there, sign yourself up and show your solidarity- be a terrific role model and enjoy a relaxing pastime. And for your program, audio books count!

If you collect your kid’s game board / passport before June 10, bring it to the Waterfront Village (yes, the Rose Festival), in the Big Top, between 12 and 2 on June 10– there’s a Storybook corner, and your kid can get a free book! (while supplies last).

The day following Friday Night’s Fireworks (at 9:45PM), the parade is coming to down. It’s the second largest illuminated parade in the NorthWest. If you’ve seen the Disneyland night time parade, you’ve got an idea of how magical a lit parade can be for kids; not only is it a parade, which I think all kids love, it’s at night so they get to stay up, and the lighting of the route is delightful.

Though it’s predicted to rain, bring a blanket and an umbrella and stake out your spot for this wonderful parade. You can get more information on Rose Festival activities here.

Visit your local library and sign your kid (and you!) up for the summer reading program!