Boy, blink your eyes and the next thing you know it is mid-November! I suppose it is time to post these pumpkin patch pictures. Better late than never.... or as Nina would say "Halloween's over?"
The Webb Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Carefully searching for the most sincere pumpkin.
Found it!
Now, let's cover it with rocks!
A gripping ride.
The loot.Nina has begun to dip her toe into the realm of questions. Not complex questions, but questions nevertheless.
"I'm hungry." "You hungry, mama?"
"I'm tired." "You tired, mama?"
Repetition is definitely key here. Everyday we leave the house and she notices that the wooden rail on the stair way is chipped. "Is broken, mama?", "Yes, unfortunately, it is a little broken.", "That one broken?", "Yes, that one is also broken", "That one also broken, mama?". She seems to be investigating subtle differences in language. She'll repeat the same phase over and over again, and if you say it slightly differently she notices that difference and repeats it.
Another favorite, "What dat over dere?"
Requests have also gotten more complex and on occasion more polite - "I need paper towel, mama, peas?"
"more milk, peas?"
Light reading during snack
General craziness
Ride on the monster
I never understood the point of those toy vacuum cleaners...
Playdate with her best buddy Hannah.
An amazing step in Nina's development is that we can now do some real activities together. Last weekend we made cookies! She helped with every aspect. I measured the ingredients, and she poured them in the bowl. I rolled out the dough and she attacked it with the cookie cutter. I was actually really surprise at how engaged she was and for how long it held her attention. Next time we'll have to get some sprinkles to decorate them!
Thanks Aunt Andrea for the super-fun animal cookie cutters!
Over Labor Day weekend, we took Nina on her first camping adventure! We went to Big Basin Redwood State Park, a previous favorite of ours for long hiking and backpacking weekends. It is also ideal for a family trip because it has several back country camp sites that are just a couple of miles from the parking area (entrance on Highway 1 at Rancho del Oso) with a trail suitable for the jogging stroller.
Here we are just starting our adventure. Gear on our backs and of course Nina would much rather push the stroller than ride in it. She carried all of her own essential gear in her "ba-pak" - baby doll, baby blanket and shovel.
Nina was game to hike for a bit, stopping frequently to pick up rocks.
But of course that didn't last too long.
Here we are setting up our new family sized tent. Great fun for little explorers!
Once we got our camp set up, we were free to explore the Redwoods. First up, find some sticks and poke at the underbrush.
Banana slug!!
Back at our campsite relaxing in the evening.
The monkey in her natural habitat.
The next morning. "Arg! Where's my coffee?!"
Hiking around the second day and inspecting a dead snake on the side of the trail. Nina brought her water bottle to fill with rocks.
Quite a few horses on the trail. Nina really enjoyed seeing them. "More orsies!" This lady was extremely nice to stop and give us a closer look.
"Ssshhh, baby seep-ping"
Second morning at another camp site. Time to pack up and head out!
Finally a family shot! Overall the trip was a complete success. We weren't too sure how everything would go, but Nina really took it all in stride. We look forward to next summer for bigger and better adventures!
Grandma Vicky (or as Nina calls her "Gammie!") came to visit for a week toward the end of July. I think Nina really enjoyed having her here. She woke up early each morning very excited to start the day by banging on Grandma's door. Grandma and Nina filled the weekdays with trips to the park and pool and walks around the neighborhood.
Heading off to the farmer's market on Sunday. Nina loves her new sandals!
Gammie style lunch. Safety first!
Mandatory trip to the mall
On Friday, the girls headed over to the coast. Yep, a foggy summer day at Miramar beach, but the temperatures were actually rather pleasant.
Nina was fairly apprehensive of the water. As well she should be... bbbbrrrrr!
Making sand castles
There is a crack of blue sky! Better put on my sunglasses.
Last few shots before heading to the airport.
Bye-bye Gammie! We miss you! Hugs and kisses!"Bye-bye! bye-bye!"
"Where are you going, Nina?", we ask as she gathers her purse, hat and shoes (mind you - diaper, no pants, no shirt) and heads for the door.
"SHOP-PING!"
"Nina goes shopping?"
"Yeah"
Of course, real shopping trips look more like this....
Nina is looking fabulous wearing Baka Dragica's 2008 summer collection.
On July 15, Nina said goodbye to her teachers and friends in the CIP2 classroom at daycare. She had been in that room for two weeks short of a year. Nina was usually the baby to arrive in the classroom and she developed a special bond with the early morning teacher, Mary Dada. Mary welcomed her each day with music and dancing. But it wasn't all fun and games as Mary was also quick to put her to work - cleaning up the toys or helping to take care of the little babies by bringing bottles or blankets.
Nina and Mary Dada
The Vivacious Patti
TKP2 play yard with the incredibly sweet and impeccably coiffed teacher Alla
