PORTLAND BEAVERS BASEBALL

OK, we have to admit, we were sorry to be leaving the home of two major league baseball teams (and one football) but were excited to check out some minor league action at the downtown stadium of the Portland Beavers. It was cool, it was fun, but for a minor league team the prices left us thinking, what are they thinking? Since when can you not still make a gazillion dollars on cheap hot dogs? It was no wonder the stands were sparsely filled when we went for Father's day. Baseball, yes, and you can take the MAX and you can have fun, but good Lord you should be able to buy a snacks without feeling like you have to write it into the budget.

PORTLAND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

If you are looking for a giant indoor playground (or an escape from the rain) check out the Children's Museum. We have visited several times now and have found the best days to stop by are during the week, unless you enjoy seeing toddlers completely freak out when one wants the plastic broccoli but the other needs for some reason to put said item in the freezer while yet another, soaking wet from the water room, repeatedly bangs the miniature shopping cart into the canned goods. This place is a sure fire winner every time.

MULTNOMAH FALLS

It helps to check out all the regional sights when you're new to the hood, especially when you will be having friends and family visiting with the loaded, "so what's there to do around here?" question; which really means, "so why on earth did you leave your good jobs and move here?"

Multnomah Falls, pronounced just like it looks, is pretty spectacular. Not much to do but gaze at the wonder when you have a couple of critters in tow, but even Ruth was genuinely awed at the sight. You can eat lunch at the lodge, or bring a picnic.

PATTIE'S HOME PLATE CAFE

In downtown St. Johns (8501 N. Lombard) you will find an old fashioned soda fountain and variety store that has the added bonus of having a great big box of toys for your wiggly 2 year old to play with as you wait for your bacon and eggs. The staff is incredibly friendly, quirky, and local. Outside there are several buckets for butts which suggests an AA haunt, but there is no lingering old-fashioned tobacco cloud inside. The food was what you would expect, avoid the potatoes, enjoy the sausage, read your paper and try to figure out the large glass sculpture picture hung in the window. It defies description.

JAMISON PARK, PEARL DISTRICT

New to the Neighborhood just got newer. We have relocated to Portland, Oregon where the weather is fine, the trees are lush, the kids are plentiful and we are unemployed! Until we find someone willing to pay us to show up, we will have more then ample time to find the best baby/toddler spots. Jamison Park, in the Pearl, is one of the first places we found to take a fussy toddler. Jamison Square Fountain between NW Kearney and Johnson and 10th and 11th Avenues William Jamison (which means nothing to us, being new to the hood). The fountain is a focal point of the Square, simulating a shallow tidal pool. Water cascades from stone joints into low pools.

It continuously recirculates treated water For this reason, Ruth probably should not have been body surfing in it. We were cooling off our feet when she decided it would be better to swim. Who could blame her on a beautiful summer day.

OAKLAND A's

OK, babies don't really care about whos on first or whats on second, but you can dress them up to show your home team pride and they get in free. This is key, prices have spiked at the new coliseum since they have closed off the upper deck to "make it a more intimate setting."