Storytime and playgrounds

So, this week has been weird. I think Riley is putting herself on a set schedule, but it's been difficult, cause I haven't realized that until now. And it's kinda tough, getting my (our) schedule to correspond.

Yesterday she had a huge meltdown. Wednesday is our day to go for storytelling at West Portal Bookstore, and then lunch with the other moms. Not yesterday. No way. She FREAKED out when I tried to put her in the car. So I took her out, and she ran right over to the ghetto bike. OK, so we would go for a bike ride instead.

Went upstairs to change into my sneakers, and she FREAKED out. Fine. I hurried, and we went for a big walk. She walked with me for a while, helping me to push the bike. It was really nice. Nice, for exactly half way. At our farthest point away from home, she FREAKED out. Kept trying to run into the street, wouldn't get on the bike, wouldn't let me carry her... nothing. I practically had to sit on her to strap her onto the bike so we could get home for that much-needed nap (we were way too far from home for me to carry her AND push the bike). Jeezuz. It exhausted me so much that I napped with her.



Today was MUCH better. We went to Ten-thirty Tinies at the Cole Valley library, and then lunch at People's Cafe. And then a 2-hour nap. Yay! Perfect timing. She made a new best friend at People's: the manager, Tanya. They flirted and played the whole time we were there. We'll be going back quite often to visit our new friend.

After that big nap, we went to meet Lisa and Juliet for our usual Thursday playdate. Today, we went to Eureka Valley playground. It's new, and really nice. But, it was pretty chilly, as the sun was going down and the wind picked up. Then Lisa said, "They have this really nice indoor playground here." OMG, don't hold out on me! We're there! It was amazing. TONS of toys, tons of kids, and Riley had a blast. Juliet's butt blasted, and it was all good. Here they are, at their best:




And FINALLY!!!! We got some new photos today of our nieces in Toronto. My gawd, they're getting big!! I guess Riley is too, but when you don't see them for a while, the changes seem super-drastic. Boy, I wish the Toronto clan had a blog....



Quinn as WE know her!



Charlie's first day of preschool:



Quinn's first birthday (she's two weeks younger than Riley!):



Apple picking:




Oh, and I posted a blog about the Touch-a Truck event, and dated it October 13. It'll be in the archives, so go and check it out!!! Let me know if you can't access it.

Disco wonderland

We had such an awesome weekend! Wow... loads of activity. Yesterday, we went to Baby Loves Disco at Ruby Skye, a club downtown. What fun! Riley was in a stupor the entire time, I think trying to figure out what the heck's going on. But it seems as though she had fun...



I didn't even bother looking for an outfit for her, cause I knew I'd never find one good enough for the Disco-Belle! So, I made one. Dress, panties, and scarf. Man, she loved this outfit... squealed and stood in front of the mirror for a really long time, turning around and playing with the scarf. I've gotta start making her more clothes. Too fun, and too cute.







And here she is, at the disco. These were taken by a photographer who likes you to buy his prints. He got a couple of really nice shots of Riley, but he did a great job overall. I think we'd hire him for an event where we don't want to bother taking our own photos...









Today, we had breakfast at Moose's with Dave and Tania, friends who were visiting from LA. Yum! And we had a nice time. Riley had fun, too... she ran around and played all afternoon.

Something new: when I put her down for a nap or bed, she pulls her blanket up to her chest, and smiles and waves goodbye to me. Makes it very hard for me to leave the room, and not pick her up and give her huge hugs!! What a doll... love her so much.

Riley's first costume party

Today was Karishma's first birthday party. All the moms brought all the babies in costumes, and Rup made Mojitos, and we all had a blast. Especially when we tried for the 'Anne Geddes' photo opp. My gawd... wait till you see the end of this video. I think it's the most hysterical thing I've ever seen! Here' the birthday girl with her daddy:



And with mommy and the cake:



And Riley trying to get at that birthday cake:



Riley loved the party. She especially loved Anthony, the monkey. He didn't love her quite as much. All the babies loved the baby jail (yes, this is the same one we borrowed for Riley's first birthday party). It was just a huge playpen for them. And, it's a real Godsend for us moms when we want to eat or pee or something.

Here are some photos of the day.

This is most of the gang. At least, the ones who didn't get away...



These two courtesy of Melinda:




Riley loved their cat. Imagine that? He was a nice cat too, who let her follow him around.



Juliet

Anthony

Sebastian

Zelda

Rohan

Sophie

Meredith


And, we let some of them out of their costumes...



Meredith


And here's the video. The first time you see Riley get audibly excited, it's because Jen and Coral arrived! Prepare to fall off your chair laughing, especially at the end....



Oh yeah, even Jen came in costume. She was "Hell frozen over". I love it.



Hah!

Fall adventures with friends

So, we've been hanging out with Riley's (and my) friends a lot over the last couple of weeks. Today was so much fun... a small group of us went to a HUGE pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay.



Before the pumpkins, we met for lunch at a great little harbor restaurant called Ketch Joanne's. Jen professed that they have the BEST Dungeoness crab sandwiches around, and I'd say, I have to agree (not that I've had many crab sandwiches in my life, but this one was quite yummy)! And so was the Stella!!

The pumpkin patch was amazing. They had pony rides (they were actual horses, though), a petting zoo, a haunted house, pottery, country-style holiday decorations, hay rides, and two different trains we could ride. We did just about all of the activities, except the haunted house. It was closed, thank goodness. My pappy took me into a haunted house when I was little, and I got so scared, I assured him I'd never enter another haunted house until I'm 65. Here are some photos of the day:

RILEY RODE A HORSE!!!





Everywhere we go, she likes to touch the flowers. She's very gentle with them.



This is Coral's pumpkin hat. Knitted by her grandma! The cutest thing ever.....



Here we are on the train with Lisa and Juliet:




Juliet had a diaper explosion at the end of the day. Thank goodness I was there to help... Lisa was in poop up to her elbows. We've all been there, and it's nice to have a friend in that situation. Or two. And a ton of wipes. Seems there are never enough wipes. Yick.

And a little action from the day:



When Riley was born, Russell bought her this beautiful cape downtown. It hasn't fit her until now, and she LOVES it. I keep it hanging in her room, and she always pulls it down and puts it over her head. She plays in it for hours.



Onward... Here is Riley trying to use my camera. I don't allow, and she lets me know she's not happy about it. Here's the progression of her dissatisfaction:





On my last blog, I showed photos of the playdate that Jen hosted at her house. Here is the video that accompanies those photos!



Next time, we'll talk about trucks. And disco. G'nite!