Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween



Last year Zoe was introduced to trick or treating while wearing a chicken suit. But it must have been confusing for sure. This year, we had many conversations about Halloween. I wanted her to be ready. See, Zoe doesn't like to go out at night, she doesn't like the dark. But she does like pumpkins and lights. She doesn't like getting dressed, or wearing anything "unusual", so of course there were going to be some issues. Early on, she decided she wanted to be a fairy. I had nothing to do with this. I was pushing for Yo Gabba Gabba or Ming Ming, or the chicken suit part deux, but she wanted to be a fairy. Then I spotted an glittering aqua tutu, and it all came together. Zoe has a fairy book with sparkly dresses in it, and there is a fairy who flits around with her wand in a Sesame Street episode that we DVRed, so I can only assume this is where she came up with the idea. She made a treat bag in Tot Zone for collecting our loot. We spent the drizzly day carving pumpkins and showing Zoe how to use her wand. She went around the house wapping everyone with the wand and then went trick or treating in Alameda in for practice before heading out for the real thing here in our own neighborhood at dusk. Our street was pretty quiet, but the neighbors were ready and Zoe did a great job of saying "trick or treat" and "thank you"!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tuesday, October 28, 2008


Saturday, October 25, 2008

Friday, October 24, 2008

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Taming the Beast



Julian is fearless when it comes to his big brother, Sid. He doesn't know what it feels like to have four sharp razors swipe at your ankles because you didn't stop and fill the food dish (baff baff!). The flesh of his forearm hasn't been shredded just because it looked "ripe". He doesn't know that if he were to sigh the wrong way, it might be mistaken for an invitation to rumble with the "flat eared monster". No, Sid has been in a strangely good mood lately, and his temper has cooled long enough for Julian to be allowed near enough to pat his furry face, and even grab a handful of orange fur, which Sid doesn't seem to mind one bit. When the cat walks near to him, Julian cranes his neck for a better look, and reaches out to touch the quiet, furry creature that lives among us.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Elephant



Go on safari with a good book!
Here, daddy reads to the elephant (while sitting on one...)at the Calistoga bookstore.
No matter where we travel to, Zoe will always be entertained at the local bookstore.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Preston Winery


Preston winery in Sonoma is a funky little place we like to stop when we're in wine country. It's like a little farm with grapes, olives, tasting room, orchard, picnic area, organic vegetable plots, chickens, cats and gardens in which to chase them. A great place to stretch your legs, eat some tasty olives and buy some decent Sauvignon Blanc. Here, Zoe runs between sun spots while chasing kitties.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Steamroll


Zoe is already trying to steamroll her brother. Here on our getaway to Calistoga, Zoe entertains herself in between trips to the pool, walks downtown and bouncing on the bed.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Do bears sit in the woods?


Okay, so I know we're here at the Sycamore tree again, but I can't help myself. Sears has their backdrop, and well, I have mine. Plop down a sweet little cherub, and you can't help but take a cute picture (a new bear hat doesn't hurt, either). Hello, mommy eye candy!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Monday, October 13, 2008

Punkin Patch





Over the bay and beyond the hills, we ventured into the valley of Half Moon Bay, where the greatest pumpkins in the country are grown. What used to be a little roadside pumpkin stand has grown and grown from a traffic nuisance to destination for those of us with little ones. We are enjoying the best weather of the year here in the bay area, and the little town of Half Moon Bay, along the typically foggy coast is as warm and inviting as a cornucopia of harvest time produce. We weren't the only ones shooting away as toddlers wandered around the hay strewn pumpkin patches, train rides and rocking horses. Funny how your destinations can evolve from gallery hopping to a bunch of stuffed scarecrows and a mini train ride.

Friday, October 10, 2008

At the bookstore


If only he grows up to love books as much as his sister does

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Crackling leaves



Little Mister loves the sound of crumpling paper, crinkling cellophane, and scratching fabric. So putting him in a pile of fall leaves for a brief photo shoot was just another tactile pleasure for him.

Little Chickens at Little Farm



Zoe knows what she likes and what she doesn't like.
She likes apples and country music (yikes!), she likes to go on bike rides with daddy, she likes to go to the beach with mommy. She doesn't like crickets, or salad or using public toilets. But now she LOVES things and has favorites. When we go up to the woods, she walks down the trail and proclaims, "this is my FAVORITE"! When we leave TotZone, she says, "I LOVE TotZone"!. Now she has added little farm to the list of things she loves. She had such a great time. She liked to visit the pig, pet the bunnies, listen to the hens. She wasn't so thrilled with the sheep and goats... she doesn't trust those critters yet.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Binky Love




Zoe reached out to comfort her brother, in the best way she knows how. She offered him his binky, and plugged it right in for him. Then she gave him Bear's rear end- the ultimate comfort.

Friday, October 3, 2008

The Cold Front




We took Miss Crankypants to the skating rink today. She decided that she does NOT like the Zamboni, and therefore must focus on that for the entire trip to the rink. The Zamboni (luckily) was nowhere to be seen, but that did not help to improve the mood. She managed to cling to daddy for a couple of turns around the ice, but could not be convinced to actually support her own weight on it. Perhaps we should have waited until after she had a chance to watch the skating competitions on TV... who knows. We'll try again later. Meanwhile, we had fun with our two person crack the whip after The Mommy got her (Arctic) sea legs.