Today we explored a nearby "greenway" park. It's a canyon filled with wetlands and old deciduous trees right in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. It was perfect for a beautiful fall day hike.

We found some rose hips to pick and taste. Taran thought they were tart.

A fallen tree made an exciting bridge to traverse.

Tovi helped her daddy across.

Connor was brave enough to venture a second time using Taran to steady himself.

You made it. Yay Daddy!

We walked through a marsh and found cattails

Poooooof!

Taran's pedestal

The park had a playground too.

Remembering Angel Taja 11-17-02

Every now and then,
Soft as breath upon my skin,
I feel you again,
And it's like you haven't been,
Gone a moment from my side
Like the tears were never cried
Like the hands of time are holding you and me

And with all my heart I'm sure,
We're closer than we ever were
I don't have to hear or see,
I've got all the proof I need
There are more than angels watching over me
I believe Oh, I believe

Forever, you're a part of me
Forever, in the heart of me
I will hold you even longer if I can
Oh, the people who don't see the most,
Say that I believe in ghosts
If that makes me crazy, then I am,
Because I believe, Oh I believe

Diamond Rio - I believe
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Birthday Party!

Ezra (4), Tristan (5), Shelby (5), Taran (4), Gaby (5), and Anthony (4)

(far left is party crasher Tovi (22M) )

Ezra's dinosaur egg filled with candy

Today we attended Taran's friend Ezra's 4th birthday party. We met at a nearby park for a hour of bike riding and then headed over to Ezra's house to open presents and share his chocolate dinosaur egg. I wish I had pictures of the kids breaking apart the egg and devouring the candy because it was amusing. Taran had a late lunch and only nibbled and Tovi was thoroughly distracted by a "Wiggles" toy played with Ezra's little sister Ava.

Hero's and Villain's

Just recently I introduced Taran to the Prydain Chronicles (Lloyd Alexander) and the character Taran that he is named after. With some hesitation I let him watch the Disney version of the Black Cauldron and he just thought the evil horned king was "really cool". Hmmm not what I expected. He did add that maybe he'd like to be a pig-keeper some day too.

If you are not familiar with the series check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Prydain

In contrast another favorite character is Dora the Explorer and he has asked for a purple shirt and orange shorts so he can dress like her. Never a dull moment with this critter.

Taran's Dream

This morning during breakfast Taran was telling me about one of his dreams last night. Apparently he and Daddy were out in the yard looking for "shooting beads" (plastic airsoft BB gun pellets) and "a wolf came creeping through the tall grass". The dream didn't seem to be a nightmare and Taran remarked how he knows we don't have any wolves in the area we live in. Later he drew this picture and said it was of the wolf from his dream.

Tuesday

Unfortunately I didn't remember to bring the camera to swim class this morning but... that was our morning activity. Taran is in the level two swim class. He is fine tuning his rhythmic breathing with the crawl stroke and is a pro at whip kicks and the backstroke. He is also able to tread water, dive down 5-6' to retrieve dive sticks off the pool bottom and can do underwater front somersaults. In the next level class they will begin teaching diving. After swim class we played Taran's favorite game "dive for chocolate lollipops", jumped into the deep end a gazillion times and relaxed in the hot tub. Tovi is a very patient little sister and happy to tag along. She enjoys playing on the steps of the shallow end of the pool and is a big fan of the swim teacher Ben. She will start lessons with him in January and already will jump to him, put her face in the water and blow bubbles.

We had an after lunch play date with Taran's friend Jamie. It was rainy most of today so they played inside and pulled out all the pirate stuff, the garbage trucks, balloons, and blocks... simultaneously. Following clean-up we had snacks of Ritz crackers, strawberries and juice. Taran then introduced the "old gray cat is stalking" game (there is a song that goes with it). I still haven't found the two stuffed mice they were playing the game with. hmmmmm.

For dinner and we had chicken, egg custard, strawberries, squash and avocado. After dinner we bundled up for a walk around the neighborhood and our yard. Tovi missed her nap again today so she went to bed early tonight. Taran and I read stories until he let out the worlds biggest yawn so I turned out the lights and. zzzzzzzzzz

Monday

Preschool - Taran and Olivia head straight to the craft table.

Linnea's Musikgarten (music class)

(CW from Tovi) Brooklyn, Kylie, Abgail, Madeline, Marrisa

Drum Circle (above) Heritage Park (below)

Connor is on travel so I thought it would be fun to carry the camera around and document our weekly activities for him.

This morning we had Taran's preschool. Usually Daddy drops him off on his way to work and Tovi and I head off to music class but today we took Taran to his class first. Taran's class has 20 kids and after they check in they have 60+ minutes of free playtime before the class activities start. Taran and his friend Olivia went straight to the art table (as usual) while Tovi and I waved goodbye and headed off to her class. Musikgarten is a 30 minute class to introduce 18M to 3 year olds to singing, dancing and instruments. The class consists of 6 girls, 3 older and 2 younger than Tovi which is a nice mix. The songs about cats are Tovi's favorites. After class there is a park that is just minutes away and Tovi and I stopped by to play for a hour before heading back to pick-up Taran. We shopped quickly at Yokes, grabbed a picnic lunch (chicken, raspberries, Sobe, chips, cookies) and played at "Duck" park for two hours.

We returned home and while I unloaded the groceries Taran and Tovi watched Curious George. I attempted a nap for Tovi which she declined and wandered back to watch Martha Speaks with Taran. Meanwhile I called Taran's friend Jamie's mom to invite them over for a playdate tomorrow. Taran wants to see if she'll be part of his pirate crew. :)

Taran had some quiet time in his room playing with "color wonders" and dora/diego workbooks. After playing alone for awhile he came out to find Tovi and invite her to play with him too. He earned some bonus hugs and kisses from mom for that.

Friday Fun - More Painting

Today the kids painted.

Taran prefered to paint rocks and create new colors.

and Tovi did a pretty good job in her Bob the Builder workbook.

Tovi the Builder

Tovi has taken an interest in building things just like her big brother.

Preschool Halloween Party

Taran and his friend Olivia

Happy Halloween!

Our friends Kevin and Luci forwarded us theses pictures from our Halloween visit to their house. Both kids were cute and cuddly octopi. Connor was a short haired tie-dye hippy and I was a red kitty cat with pointy ears and a pointy tail. :) After making the rounds in our neighborhood we headed towards Taran's preschool party making a detour for more trick or treating in one of his friend's neighborhood.