Playdates and introducing Pokemon Go!

Can we talk for a minute about being an only child?  Randy and I made a conscious decision to just have one child, and it works well for our family.  I do have moments where I think I will regret this choice because Trey will not grow up with siblings, and he will not have a brother or sister when he is an adult (and let's be honest - when Randy and I die).   I think there are pros and cons to having an only child, which I won't list here because we all have our own opinions, but one major con for us is that our boy wants a playmate all. of. the. time.

Trey is a social creature and almost always wants to be with people and to talk.  Luckily, Randy and I like to be social too, so Trey is often surrounded by people.  Nevertheless, our summer days were hard at times because I felt like I had to keep Trey entertained and this often meant playdates.  I am totally on board with the "let your kid be bored and play with sticks outside" movement, but Trey isn't quite there yet.  And when Mama has homework to do and Dad has work to do, it is easier to keep Trey entertained with friends than having him pester us.  Thank god the boy has a lot of friends, right?

One of Trey's favorite things right now is Ana, Curt's daughter.  Those two could play together every day if it was possible.  Sometimes Trey wakes up asking about Ana and if they will get to see each other on that day.  Lucky for all of us, the parents enjoy hanging out too, so we try to make it at least a weekly event to get together.  When we got back from the beach on Fourth of July, Ana and Curt came over.  The kids dove into their imaginary play, and the grownups hung out on the deck.  Curt brought over some sparklers, and we wrapped up the night with a final celebration of our country.

One of the requirements for my graduate program and licensure is to take the Praxis in the area of school psychology.  This is a 140 multiple choice question test that you have to take in 140 minutes.  It covers a broad range of questions about school psychology, and it feels impossible to remember all of the minute details about the history of the field or all of the lawsuits that have created change in the educational system.  I took this test in early July and was happy to pass it and cross it off of my to do list.  I celebrated by going to get some delicious beers to share with the hubs and buying some new (used) books at Goodwill.

Breakside's Lunch Break India Session Ale is currently one of my faves.

Can we talk about Goodwill for a second?  It is not my favorite organization ever, but the Goodwill on MLK in SE Portland has the most amazing book section.  You can get books in really good condition for three or four dollars.  I love to go there when I'm not in a rush and browse the titles for books I want to add to my collection.  On this day, I added three "classics" that Ive been wanting to read forever plus two more contemporary novels.  I haven't read any of them yet, but they look great on my shelf!

Just a random picture of a lunch I made for Trey because I'm the best mom ever!
(This is probably the insomnia and lack of sleep talking since I've been awake since 3am and am currently blogging at 5am.)

I mentioned the summer playdates, right?  I am so thankful that we have made some friends in the neighborhood.  This is what I've wanted for a long time and never had in our old 'hood in NE.  I loved being able to schedule impromptu playdates and not only have Trey get to play with his friends but also get to see mine.

What's hard to see is Trey walking across the schoolyard - by himself, OF COURSE - on his way to meet Sunny.  The boys wanted to go on adventures by themselves with their backpacks filled with supplies.  Luckily, this idea died out quickly.

Sunny, Owen, and Trey at the playground

Trey and Sunny at Pump It Up Jr

Me trying to get some homework done before girls' night

The boys in that hurricane wind tunnel at Pump It Up

One night in July we had a girls' night and did the "drink wine and paint" thing.  We got a Groupon and signed up for an event at a winery in Newberg.  First we had a yummy dinner at a restaurant I've been wanting to try in Newberg, and then we headed to the winery.  I am NOT a good artist, but I am a good wine drinker and I love hanging out with my friends.  It ended up being a really fun night! 

Me, Kristina, Jocelyn and Jennifer

The set up - whoever thought of this is a genius.

Random family selfie on the couch with our messy house behind us

One of the camps I signed Trey up for was a super hero camp that he did last year.  He is not as into super heroes now (thanks to Pokemon and Minecraft), but he still had a good time.  Randy and I had a good time too as the Fireside Grill is across the street from camp.  He and I would go and sit outside on the deck, do work on our computers, and drink some delicious Boneyard RPM while Trey was at camp.  It was a nice productive way to spend the afternoon.

One day (or two?) Nyree came to meet us and hang out on the deck.

So have you heard of this tiny little phenomenon called Pokemon Go?  Trey and I started playing it a few days after the game came out, and it was a fun addition to our summer.  We explored a lot of new parks in our area which was super fun.  There are a lot of different opinions about Pokemon Go (my husband has some strong ones), but I think it is a fun and harmless (if you don't walk off a cliff) game. 

Looking for Pokemon at Fanno Creek Park

Looking for Pokemon at the Washington Park Rose Garden

Looking for Pokemon at Tualatin Hills Nature Park

Looking for Pokemon at Schiffler Memorial Park

You're getting the idea, right?

One night Randy was out and Trey decided he wanted to make me dinner.  I was in charge of getting the pizza out of the oven, but Trey set the table and "prepared" me fruit snacks, fruit rollups, tortilla chips, and Ritz crackers.  He was so proud of himself and it was such a healthy dinner.  

Since I've been assisting in classes at Hipcooks, I earned a free cooking class.  Kris and I signed up for the sushi making class and were really excited about it.  It turned out to be interesting to learn how to make our own sushi, but the sushi itself wasn't that great.  We agreed it was because the rolls had too much rice, and Kris said the rice wasn't very good.  However, now we know how to make our own sushi and hope to try it at home some time.

One summer night we went to Cooper Mountain Vineyards for music and wine.  We met Kris, John, Ted, and Sara there and enjoyed a picnic dinner.  After spending $10 per glass of mediocre wine, we decided to go create our own music and wine night at Kris and John's house which was nearby.  Hanging out with this group of people is always a fabulous time and one of my favorite things to do.

Trey and Randy relaxing amid Pokemon cards

Silas and Trey

One weekend day we headed out to the gorge with Missy, Kourt, and Wyatt.  Missy and Randy have known each other since they were children in Texas, and it has been fun to get to know each other as families.  One can fairly say that we mesh well. 

I was in the midst of research class hell at this point of the summer, but I took my materials with me and worked on stuff on the ride out.  I was not quite as productive on the ride back.

We took Missy, Kourt, and Wyatt on our favorite Gorge loop.  We started at Catherine Creek so the boys could run around, went to Cor Cellars to do some wine tasting, and ended up in Hood River.  We let the boys run around at the park while we waited for a table at Pfriem and then had a delicious meal and even more delicious beer.  It was a five star day!

Wyatt and Trey

Boys and their dads

Hanging out on the deck back at Missy and Kourt's house

 after we returned to town

There are not many things I love more than watching Trey sleep.  It is the most precious thing and I sometimes just sit and stare.  Does this ever change?  I hope not.  

Cuddling up with Wolfie