We've been busy since Mom and Dad left. Our trip to Apple Hill Orchards was incredible. An hour from here is a cooperative of 50+ independently-owned orchards. We hit three - one for doughnuts and cider, Kai's favorite; the second to pick some tiny and crisp golden delicious apples and pumpkins from the patch on a small organic farm; the third to run around the hills and cornmaze and to see farm animals - Nina's favorite. The drive was so gorgeous that on saturday after Kai's soccer game (note: forgot Kai's shoes. Nate felt horrible. Got to soccer with 5 minutes left in the game. Kai didn't care. Played with the other soccer kids at the park - played pirates. Nina tried to join in. Very cute.) we packed up the car and headed east again. Took a long drive into El Dorado National Forest, got out to hike a few times, and watched the sunset on the way home. Sunday I took the kids for a bikeride along the American River; five minutes into the ride, "I'm hungry, Mom." "I'm tired." It's amazing how Kai can sit on a bike, motionless, when he's never motionless on the ground! He does a great job on the bike. Took a big dig while chatting up some nice men on the trail, see picture for wound near neck. Freaked us both out when the handlebar slowly dug into the tender flesh on his sternum as he slowly fell to the ground. Ow. Sunday afternoon we discovered the Davis arboretum. Will definitely take the kids there again, next time with Kai's bike. Kai was so excited to see a little boy climbing a tree that he RAN down the path, over the bridge to join him. Ximenes was a lot like Kai in looks (robed in Hannah Andersson) and energy. Kai dragged Nina over to Ximenes to introduce Nina ("This is my little sister, Nina, N-i-n-a.) They chirped and ran and climbed then suddenly Ximenes was off on his bike and his dad was running to follow him. Nina's favorite part: the ducks.

And here we are with a few days to go until we leave for nola and leave the kids in the hands of nana and dup. Nina's still waking at night but usually needs only a pat in the butt from Nate to fall back asleep. Both kids have colds now, hopefully they'll recover by saturday. I'm nervous about leaving Nina...

Kai is determined to be Lightning McQueen for Halloween. Not only are the two costumes available for purchase UGLY, but due to the fact that mom made almost all or our costumes growing up (I loved being a gypsy...and a playing card...I do remember some store-bought masks though , the heat and the sweat and the plastic smell) I'm really resistant to buying one anyway. So we're going to try to make one. If we start early enough we have time to recover.

Nina LOVES crayons, markers, paintbrushes. Check out how this girl can hold a crayon already.

Started gymnastics in Davis on monday. Kai loved it. It's amazing how much difference a year has made in his ability to focus and follow directions. Kai towers over the other predominantly asian kids in his class. Teacher was impressed with his lack of fear and ability to flip over the low bar.

Yesterday I was dancing with the kids to music from our TV. Artist was Fat Joe. I was holding a kid in each arm, Kai said, "Fat Joe!...Fat Breast!" and pounded on my boob. Ugh.