Halina's new bike and some of my favorite pictures from fall

She adores her new bike. I went to post about it and ended up grabbing dozens of pictures going back to the first day of school. So, here they are. In reverse chronological order, by and large. Feeling damn lucky for this beautiful life. And just a tinge sad about how fast it's going.

Lake Temescal leaves.

Halina teaching Luke another page in his alphabet workbook. She makes bargains with him where she'll play Rescue Bots if he'll do another letter. 

Luke has been begging me to make him a scarf. I finally did it over break.  He doesn't actually wear it but it was fun to complete something and feel like I'm learning a wee bit more about how to knit.

They also begged for Santa hats. The drug store where we went to buy some had tin holiday mailboxes with plastic flags. We bought two and they spent the afternoon writing and delivering Christmas letters to each other.

The day after Halina's 8th birthday I took her to see Mary Poppins at the Berkeley Rep. 

Somehow she looks way older than she did just a few weeks before, when we had the origami outing.

Wearing Santa hats, watching the Curious George Christmas special.

Back when he let her read to him.

Looking so much younger. This is right before that big growth spurt. He went to a Dad's print shop on a preschool field trip. 

I picked him up from preschool like this. I love his expressions.

Halina as a cowgirl at the Aurora Halloween parade.

Luke was there, too.

Trying on my old skirt that my mom made for me when I was about nine or ten. I love the light in this shot.

Halina and Luke made this "robot costume" all by themselves.

First pet.

Visiting Daddy. Luke has the VIP stuffy from his school.

Halina's time line.

Luke and Wyeth.

He used to scooter or bike from far away parking spots to school. He got scared and stopped doing it. He LOVED that shirt. 

 

My birthday in the park.

What a pitch.

Looking for gophers.

Spotted one!

Fairy house.

Papa visited, too.

Teaching Luke Crazy 8's.

A play date snack with Ani. I like how one of them is cracking up in each photo.

Halina's very first homework packet in elementary school. Thrilling!

Halina presenting her timeline in class. 

An adorable doctor's visit. 

Art in Nature festival.

Luke just happened to be dressed as a pirate. But he blended right in.

Oh yeah. Couch swimming lessons. Practicing their dives. I had forgotten about that.

First week of school.

Tree climbing after school in the nature area.

Trying to get two adorable faces to get in synch. A tip of the iceberg of outtakes. 

Gilroy Gardens to Sunset Beach. Our annual early fall trip.

The hotel room is half the fun.

That's a lot of green. Daddy won those prizes for Lukie.

First solo carousel ride.

I just couldn't choose among these.

After one of the first days of back at preschool. Name tag still attached. Crash.

I don't remember this photo. Halina looks like she's taking a load off. It's nice to see her relaxing. And her legs are about twice that long now. Sigh. xo.