L'Universite de Paris

A true Portland tradition, Swift Watch is back for 2022! Set up a sunset picnic on the fields of Chapman Elementary in NW Portland, and catch a glimpse of the Vaux’s Swifts (that’s a type of bird, just to clarify!) doing the most amazing migration — into the chimney of the school! Thousands of birds form a spectacular funnel, while an amazed crowd marvels below.

I don’t know about your kids, but mine keep streeeeeetching. Last week, after a full summer of wearing the same three pairs of shorts, my teenager put on some pants for a special occasion. What the what? Despite how prepared his ankles suddenly appeared for a flood, we are clearly not ready for a time in the not-to-distant future when he will need pants on daily basis. Every year, back-to-school shopping seems to catch me by surprise.

In our family, only one of our kids has ever expressed much interest in competitive sports. However, it is important that kids have physical activity and exposure to different forms of movement and exercise. With that goal in mind, I hesitatantly signed three of my kids and myself up for Taekwondo classes on my sister’s recommendation. Martial arts classes have been a favorite for kids and parents for generations.