When Grandma and Grandpa first got to our house, Ed was playing with his new little armchair. Grandpa went straight over to Ed, as it was their first meeting. Ed was not sure what to make of this new fellow with white stuff on his chin.
He quickly decided that the visitors were all right, and was giving us all his trademark cheeky grin.
Several days of the visit were spent just hanging out and letting Ed play. He got a lot of water play in during those days, some of it with Grandpa, and also played with (and ate) some sidewalk chalk.
He also discovered our apple tree and decided to share a VERY early apple with Mom:
All this work makes a thirsty boy. Just ONE cup will never do.
We went on several trips during the week, too. Ed is still a champ when it comes to chilling out in the car for long periods of time. Grandma bought him a rubber duck at the University of Oregon (home of the Ducks!) and that felt great on his teething gums.
Our first big road trip was to Newport. Ed got to visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium for the first time. Otters, undersea tunnel, touch-pools and kiddie exhibits...but this was by far his favourite part:
My boy loves him some gravel.
On the Bayfront, we got to see a monument to the Japanese tsunami, made of a chunk of the big concrete dock that started in Japan and washed up in Oregon. It's seven feet high. This did not stop Ed from trying to climb it to get to the visible wheel on the top.
My boy loves him some wheels. And has a great deal of ambition.
The next morning, Ed stole my iPod and camped out on the couch for a while. He likes to make the icons wiggle. He hasn't deleted any so far but he has moved a few around!
Next on the schedule was a dip in the frigid water for Ed and his Daddy. Both had a wonderful time. Ed would have gone in deeper if Dad had let him!
The following day we were back in Eugene, and toured a few of the interesting local sites. Here are three generations at one of the area's covered bridges.
Also the obligatory Wal-Mart trip, both for supplies and so Martin could show his dad where he used to work. I thought about getting Ed this chair but he is still too little and was struggling to get out of it. He did get the pinwheels though, in an attempt to get him to leave our neighbour's one alone.
Saturday the 6th saw us on the road again, for Florence's Wings and Wheels car (and plane) show. I enjoyed watching the planes take off. Ed wanted to touch them all. I let him play with the military jeep on display, figuring that the soldiers nearby would probably not complain that a toddler was going to break their vehicle. (I was right.) Ed also got to sit in a REAL fire truck and turn its BIG steering wheel. He was so fascinated with the wheel that we even got him to wear a pretend firehat for a few seconds - and he hates hats.
Lunchtime at the Hot Rod Cafe saw him rewarded with yet another wheel experience. This time two hands were not sufficient wheelage and a foot got in on the action.
After lunch, another dip in the water for Ed and Dad. Ed loved scratching at the (rather hard packed) sand. We are planning another coast trip for the end of summer and hopefully the beaches will be slightly less windy!
The next day, back in Eugene, Ed got to show his grandparents the water park at the base of Skinner Butte, and his preferred mud puddle within.
On our final full day, we dressed Ed in his smart new overalls for some family photos. We'll post those later, but right now I want to show Ed demonstrating his excellent arm strength as he held out this rock for me to examine. The kid is strong!
After the photos Ed discovered that our neighbour was watering his lawn, so the overalls got soaked and he got changed prior to going out to eat at McMenamins. Ed had a grilled cheese sandwich and didn't want the piece I cut up for him. He wanted the whole piece!
Back at home that evening, we all chilled in the side "courtyard". We have a basketball hoop, and while Ed has climbed on the base many times he seemed to notice the hoop part for the first time. Remember I mentioned he has ambition? He wanted to make a basket!
Wasn't going to happen that day, I'm afraid.
The Grandparents had to go home the next day. We had a great time and I think they did too. We sent them away with a memento of the Meeting of Three Generations:
Thanks for coming, Grandma and Grandpa - we hope to see you again soon!
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