Procrastination 2011

 This year we were a little behind the 8-ball on Halloween preparedness (I know, so unlike mama-Korah to let an opportunity to dress up go to waste!)... Tiago brought home a nasty bug and, subsequently, mommy and daddy were down for the count shortly thereafter...but, technically, we were all well on Halloween night...

 And, being as how this was the first Halloween that Tiago could be actively involved in, mommy felt a pang of guilt at about 5:00pm on the 31st (on the way to pick Tiago up from daycare).  A quick stop at the local Diddam's, turned out fortunate.  (Tiago LOVES the Cat In The Hat and happens to have a nearly too small set of flannel one-piece-pajamas.)  A Dr. Seus hat and a Don King wig proved to be just the necessary accessories to make our little guy squeal with delight (well, the wig resulted in more of a squeal of absolute refusal--but the hat was were it was at).  Check out our little "Thing 2" bellow:

 So mommy had thought the Dr. Seus hat would make a perfect "treat" bag, but because Tiago wanted to wear the hat, his costume ended up more of a Cat In The Hat/Thing 2 cross-breed...and Tiago ended up using a Nordstrom's shopping bag to put his treats in...

 Our little 2 year old mad-hatter (oops wrong cartoon) walked confidently up to our neighbors' doors along with the "big" kids (ok, these girls were probably only 4 years old)

And took all of about 20 minutes to go from knowing absolutely nothing of Halloween to running, singing and skipping, from door to door politely thrusting his bag into strangers' doorways saying, "trick or treat." 

(Note to self: son is extremely motivated by lavish attention followed by chocolate--then again, who isn't?!)

He didn't even have a single piece of candy that night, and he was running up and down the streets like a little hyperactive "Thing 2" reincarnate...

(Coya unknowingly went as a tiger--rrrroaaar!)

San Carlos Art and Wine Festival

Holy Moley--Has it been a month since the last post--already?!

This year, mommy was able to convince the guys that we should support our local community by attending the San Carlos Art and Wine festival.  It was like pulling teeth getting everyone out of the house but once we arrived Tiago was in heaven.  First of all, there was a car show.  Each car, received the same enthusiastic, "Ooooooh!" followed by a request to be hoisted up to take a peek inside

 Mommy and Tiago inspected each of the 30 or so vehicles while daddy searched for the best beer booth.  When he returned with drinks and treats, Tiago insisted that daddy take a look as well.

 One of the older vehicles (below) was impressive but the motor was not nearly loud (or startling) enough to keep Tiago's interest for more than a few seconds

 After purusing the various artists booths, we made our way over to the Reading Bug to check out Lisa Loeb's kiddi-concert.  But, apparently, we "dont listen hard or pay attention..." and we just "Missed" her performance.  BUT, she did "Stay" and we got to see her sign a few books.  As you can see (below) Tiago was more interested in playing with trains than meeting a 1990's one-hit wonder book-signing.

 Back out on the streets of San Carlos, we explored more community booths.  We visited the San Carlos Aviation Museum display.

 (Tiago was trying to give a thumbs up--still working on that concept)

 The sherrif's display was absolutely meaningless to Tiago, since he doesn't know what a gun is and the SWAT was not dressed in any sort of recognizable uniform.

 But, the firetrucks, "Oooooooh!"

 All in all, the art and wine festival was a welcomed diversion for a grumpy toddler who no longer naps for mommy or daddy!

Toys for Tots (or Teens?)

WOW!  Ask and you shall receive (well, that is, ask a grandparent...).  Tiago casually informed his abuelito that he wanted nothing more than a helicopter--and voilà!

 The thing is, this "toy" is meant for older children (much older children); therefore, it is mandatory that daddy always "supervise."

 Tiago's actually pretty nice about sharing with daddy (see video below:)

  

On to more toddler related topics of fun and games... After seeing Tiago kick this pitiful plastic ball around the park the other week, mommy decided it was time to get him a real "futbol."  (After all, it looks like he might be giving his namesake, #19 a run for his money, right?!)

 He's a natural!

Check out the pass to Coya, topped with a goal (no thanks to Coya, she stinks at soccer)!

Things That Give Me Peace--My Happy Place Part Two

In no particular order....

 This face

This place (a beautiful day in the neighborhood)

 painting

 (This summer, I was able to crack open some oils that hadn't been touched in FIFTEEN years!)

 Romps in the park with the familia

(after a long day of work, I cherish the opportunity to take the boy and the dog down to the park and meet daddy there on his way home from work...)

My Happy Place

Back to work and trying to find my zen...

 ...ah--this will do!

 After a nice long hike down the canyon with the little guy, I stop to smell the rosemary (and snap some pix at the top of our hill)

 Late summer on the peninsula--It's my happy place

 (there's no place like home; there's no place like home...)

(BTW, see that airplane?  Family and friends welcome!  Our happy place gets lonely with everyone so far away.)

Labor Day

 This Labor Day Weekend, we mommies celebrated the fruits of our Labor (our babies)!

 Tiago's old Jumper was a smash with 10 week old baby Daniel...

 

...and 6 month old baby Nathan.

 (And, quite frankly, the adults enjoyed the jumper as well, as it allowed for a free set of hands.)

 Of course, Tiago and gal pal, Laila, need no jumper--they're hopped up on kettle corn popcorn and fruit juice

(You may notice that poor Laila's got a full cast on her left leg--maybe a jumper would be safer?  These toddlers are fearless!)

Potty Training Postponed

You can see that aunt Megs did her best to try and bring out Tiago's inner calm this Labor Day weekend:

 Inhale. Exhale...

 ...Now, go run around like a maniac!

(clearly, not the right weekend for potty training--maybe thanksgiving?)

(Below: the male cousins also in demolition mode)

Tools, broken glass, a missing 4th wall in the bedroom, lots of great family in town... Yeah. Tiago is definitely not focusing on the potty!

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

 A couple of weeks ago, Tiago and I discovered the wonders of tide-pools (notice that he is soaked to his knees).  When uncle Raph came to visit this weekend, we decided that he should see for himself what the great Pacific has to offer at low tide but we forgot to tell him that it doesn't offer a whole lot of sunshine--even during late summer...

 ...Tiago was prepared, however, with batman raincoat (and we remembered to bring the galoshes this time)!  

 And, this time, he promised not to chuck the poor little hermit crabs into the sea or against hard rocks.  He demonstrated great restraint and gently placed them back into the tide pools...though the pebbles didn't stand a chance.  (Tiago would have happily tossed every last pebble on the beach back into the ocean.)

 (Above: Ooh, anemones!  Green. Sticky!)

 Below: just behind these guys are about two dozen breeding seals.  (Tiago could care less.)

 (Below: it's why they call it Moss Beach!)

 (Bellow, Uncle Raph and little batman on the hike back up to the car:)