Maya and her Daddy

Xander showing some parental love with his friends

Xander was really cute- he insisted that his "friends", Baby, Doggie (pictured, but hidden) and New Old Doggie needed a nap.  Then he tucked them in.  I know every kid does this sort of thing, but it really struck me- Xander's first real practice as a parent.  He was stern and kind, especially when they (the toys) didn't want to take a nap but really needed to.  He's going to be a great Dad, I think.  As Xander would say: "Someday!"

Another note about this particular photo-
New Old Doggie is actually a battery-powered tail waggin' "yipper" from Jake's young childhood and was such a favorite that Jake's mother, Jen, actually sent the beaten up and silent mongral away to a toy specialist and had him brought back to life before giving him to Xander last year.  He's as loved by Xander as he was by his dad.

The spoils of Autum

Friday afternoon was the perfect sunny Autumn play day.  I had ordered some fun colorful cones for Xander to learn to ride and maneuver his bike around, and also to improve his memory on the color names, something he still struggles with, despite having an absolutely uncanny memory for so many other things.  I could think of so many fun variations, I was sure it would keep us busy all afternoon.  Xander seemed excited too- and we spent a little time inside first, just playing with the cones.

Then it was outside with us, and time for some bike riding... the leaves were a perfect crisp and colorful carpet, perfect for riding in, and burying mom in!  We were having  so much fun we didn't really get to the cones for awhile....

Just when we had a good game of bicycle riding going, Jake came home from work with his own idea of how to spend a perfect late afternoon.  RC Cars!  Well, let's just say that my cones were soon abandoned, only to be found again as an obstacle course for the cars... not the bikes.

I had to throw my hands up and the towel in, and smile- Xander had a blast, and so did both Mom, and Dad.  Maya just laughed at us all and enjoyed the show.

Xander's First trip to the Skate Park

We took a family bike ride today and Xander got a chance for a first trip to the skate park>  Xander, of course, was on his trusty strider bike.  He had a blast and I hope the weather holds so we can get back soon.

Maya's Learning to Cruise

Maya is not really cruising yet, but she is starting to figure the idea out a little bit.

This is interesting.  Hey look, a pony!

 I wonder what's over here...  Phew, dad got out of the pony discussion easy this time!

Xander and Daddy Play Trains

Xander loves Thomas.  We have lots of fun building tracks and he regularly asks "Help me build a circle" so Thomas can go around the track.  Xander is great at putting the track pieces together but hasn't quite got the planning down to link the two ends together yet.  It is so much fun to come home from work and play together!

Bath Time is Fun Time!

Maya's Sitting So Well

Maya is lounging no more.  She is a little girl who sits up to play now.  Best of all she seems to have outgrown her acid reflux.  She is off her medecine and not spitting up any more hooray!

Fall Photos

Nothing like a pile of leaves, a beautiful fall afternoon and a giant pumpkin for taking some photos of the kids!

 Of course Xander thinks it's hilarious when Maya decides to eat some of the pretty fall leaves!

Xander and Daddy Building

While Kathy was here to visit she helped me re-arrange the garage to fit 2 mountain bikes, 2 road bikes, 2 chariots, 1 Strider bicycle, roof rack parts, the Audi summer tires, a lawn mower, shop vac, gardening equpment, bike tools and lots of sundry other stuff as well as the two cars in the garage.  It was quite an undertaking.  We got all the work done while Kathy was here, but I still had material and space for one more shelf.  Xander decided to help me install it.  I showed him how to to pick the right screw for the job and he showed me how to hammer.  I'm not sure which of us was the more confused by the other's lesson...  Regardless we had lots of fun.