Tilden Winter Fantasy

Tilden Park is currently hosting a "Winter Fantasy" event at their victorian Carousel. The carousel turns to Christmas carols and Santa offers his lap to young ones for a photo op. There was a Santa's Village with lighted scenes of reindeer stables and a huge Christmas tree.

Primas

Zoe and her cousin Alena had another opportunity to hang out together at Uncle Rich's house for a holiday brunch. Two generations of cousins visited and caught up while the kids played. I feel so lucky that our own children are so close in age- Alena and Zoe are 6 mos apart, and now Julian and Bella are only 4 months apart. Too bad we are all 500 miles apart! (J,D&A, we miss you and look forward to June!)(hugs and kisses to J&Z's many other, farther away cousins!)

Beach Combers

It rained the day before, but the sun came out and brightened everything up. Zoe wanted to play with her sand toys, so we made our way to the beach, as we usually do whenever possible. Zoe got to work hording all the toys and keeping them from her brother while Julian desperately tried to get his hands into the sand (in order to put a handful into his mouth). Last summer, I just laid him on a blanket in the shade, but now he squirms his way to the edge of the blanket- or pulls the edge of the blanket to him- so he can get down into the sand.

Fish Girl

We're becoming regulars at the aquarium these days. Zoe is very into fish right now.
When she's in the bath she says "I'm in the akemium"! When she swings on the swings at the park, she leans all the way forward and yells, "I'm a Nemo fish! I'm swimming underwater"!
We finally purchased an annual pass so we can go whenever we like during our visits to SoCal. Julian seemed interested in the fish too. Especially the jellies.
Zoe likes the big tanks, and of course, the Nemo fish.
Zoe has grown so much, that for this visit, the Nanu-nanus bought her her very own big girl bed. Complete with coral reef sheets. Perfect!

Road Trip

Another holiday, another road trip south.
The crew is getting used to the long haul, and this trip was fairly successful. 8 hours in the car is a long time- they both napped, Zoe enjoyed a new stickerbook and we all enjoy getting out at Tejon Pass for a stretch of the legs.
Zoe takes her turn at driving while Little Mister gulps down a bottle (big mistake on The Mommy's part here... should've breast fed him. I wound up with a nasty Mastitis infection- ouch)!

Bbbbbbbbbbbbbb!

The last heat wave

Here on November 17th, it was so warm at Chrissy Field at sunset, that it felt like September. Clear, with warm breezes and a picture perfect sunset- at 5 o'clock. It must be the last one. I can't believe how many perfect weather days we've had this fall. Even after a cold and rainy spell. It may be the last heat wave of the year... but I hope not.
We met our friends Andre and Elenor for a late afternoon romp on the beach followed by dinner at their Richmond flat. What fun for all of us! Andre is the charming little host, such a gentle and kind boy. There were so many toys for Zoe to play with, and Andre was great at sharing. The little Dude even had toys and an expanse of floor space. It was so relaxing to go somewhere besides our home that we can feel comfortable- knowing that Zoe is expected to touch most things, and will never get bored. It was especially great for me to hang out with Elenor, and catch up on Mommy things, toddler things and such.