who needs toys?

She calls herself, "Drummer Dalia". A second after I stopped the video, she threw the chopsticks in the air like a true rock star.

Berry Picking

To savor the season, Mark, Dalia and I went berry picking again this week. We headed down to Canby and got to take a little ferry across the Willamette river ("just like in the road trip Caillou"). Thanks to the extra hands (Mark's) we got 8 pounds of berries (mostly blueberries, but a few raspberries and blackberries). We also met a doggie who lived there. I think Dalia liked playing with him more than picking. This farm was so beautiful, we wanted to stay there forever. If only our thumbs were as good at gardening/farming as they are at picking and eating. As usual, Dalia ate so many while we were there and just after we came home that she won't eat any now.

I'm so excited!

Two of our sisters like to give us cards that sing when you open them. They seem to be one of Dalia's favorite toys. This one is from Mark's birthday last year, with a picture of Plastic Man stuck to the front, thanks to our nephew Anders. And while we don't often listen to the Pointer Sisters, I can say this video sums up Dalia on most days.

Big Kid

I think my daughter is turning quickly into a "big kid". First, her new bike! It's a Strider bike. Everyone around here has one and she'd been dying for one. She's getting the hang of it pretty quickly and hasn't fallen much at all. No, it doesn't have pedals, for those of you not familiar with these new creations. Kids quickly learn balance and coasting and can transition easier (we hope) to a two wheeler when they are ready. Also, check out the summer reading t-shirt she's sporting, acquired from the library after finishing her summer reading chart this year.

And second, Dalia had her first dentist appointment yesterday. She did so awesome. She was super calm and opened her mouth no problem. She really liked the cookie flavored toothpaste. Sadly, she has a little decay on her front teeth, but we're just keeping a close eye on it for now.

On the way home from the dentist we picked up my mom and went to the grand opening of one of our fav restaurants (Mio Sushi) in our hood. Dalia decided she loves tempura too. That's one way to get her to eat some vegetables, I guess.



Also, a glimpse at one of our big girl's favorite past times. There must be a girly gene out there, because I am not a magazine/catalog reader (neither is Mark, really, though I think he might be more than I am). Here she is perusing the new J Crew catalog.

Oh, and finally, this is Dalia's latest off the cuff drawing. She exclaimed, "It's a seal!" after she drew it.

Anyway, we're so proud of our little girl, I mean "big kid". More news Wednesday about baby #2.