Just some fall fun times

What's new this fall? Well.. I'm rediscovering things I loved as a child. Like running with abandon just because I have legs.. and because there is a giggling imp running away from me and towards the duck pond. Or like climbing lifting a toddler up impossibly high things, discovering what noises look like, dancing to music in public, and chasing ducks and geese. They love to be chased less... but it still happens. Having in incredible energetic child is more work for sure, but the more work you put in, the more fun you have!

we got an auto-awesome from google+ ! The ducks did not think we were in any way awesome. 

 The Arboretum is always so so worth the $5 Wednesday pass. We love every inch of their children's garden.

There is a group of flowers with musical instruments cleverly worked into their design. This one squeaked.

Another automatically edited photo! This fountain could occupy us for hours. I bring a change of clothes and a towel for this specifically.

We love the parks here. Mostly because they are outside. But also because they're very well kept. We've gone enough times to have had some minor drama with them (not pictured here) but hey, now they're not just parks. They're family. 

She was a little terrified of the lawn mower she could hear but couldn't see.
So, like a good mom, I took a picture. (But really, she is never still so this was too good to pass up)

She wasn't quite daring enough to try her chances walking on the "dangerous" side of this wall when I was sternly looking at her around the camera, but look closer and you can see the impish delight she is taking in teasing me by pretending she's going to do it.

Fall is sometimes cold and miserable here, but we go outside every day for hours anyway. A wise friend once said "There is no bad weather, only bad clothes for weather". We agree. And we dress warmly.

Are we done with pictures yet? I need a push.
(She actually has been not a fan of swings until recently.. I think they make her a little dizzy)

Other random things from this Autumn.

She likes to reach onto my dresser and open my boxes of jewelry.
I love how happy it makes her to play with them under supervision.

If this looks familiar, you've probably had a toddler who recognizes a window of opportunity when they see a chair.
Our counters are no longer a safe place to dry knives.

Or  store dinner left-overs. Although, I was happy to let her move the chair herself and finish off that whole bowl of beans after dinner. 1 less thing to put away, and I knew she had eaten enough. The adage "presentation is half the meal" is true.

"Ousside. 'Side? Deor? 'Side!" Every day - even though we spend hours, literally, every day out there. It's never enough. Oh, and her hair is finally long enough for 1 piggy!

Squirrels are a major, major event every time one happens. Every day. Korrali and I can even imitate a squirrel, and they run up and listen to us. Kronk, watch out.

Stickers! Most of the time I am practicing patience as I attempt to teach her not to eat them. Sometimes golden moments happen when she decides to share with her favorite doll - from "Grandma" Eldredge. We call him nino (Spanish for boy) and he mostly wears no clothes at Korrali's insistence. I think Korrali lives vicariously through him.