A Visit to the Horses

Stephen needed some manure for his compost and Sulwen wanted to visit the horses so we went for a family outing. It was a beautiful afternoon and we all got what we wanted in a quick trip!

Riding over in the wheelbarrow.

Ember and Taj come to greet us.

Tanna and Sulwen go bareback on Ember around the paddock.

One of the many hugs Sulwen spontaneously bent down to give Ember.

Taj and Ember get a carrot for their labors.

Showing a fully loaded, well, load!

October Visit from Grammy and Grandad

Grammy and Grandad made the long drive down to Timber Cove for another visit. We didn't make Grandad work so hard this time. Of course he did have pumpkin carving duties!

We visited the Fort Ross School (where Sulwen will go to preschool next year) where the community market was having Ag Day. Local sheep dogs were exhibiting their skills, farmers and crafts people sold their wares, there was a soft taco benefit for the school, as well as old farm machines and other livestock on hand to see.

As always it was a great visit that went by far too quickly!

Thanks for coming Grandad and Grammy!

October Visit from Grammy and Grandad

(if you have trouble viewing the video, go here to see it)

Wood Chips and Tutus

Since we haven't had a recent "event" to post, I thought I'd share a few day-to-day moments. 

We got a load of chips to put down around Sulwen's play structure. You can see Sulwen using her wheelbarrow to help unload and spread along with Stephen.

For the first time Sulwen showed interest in her hand-me-down tutu from cousin Fiona. We knew it was just a matter of time! She asked for it, put it on, and came down to play in her make believe playground.

Sulwen tries taking the chips with a bucket at first.

Next she tries the wheelbarrow: 

harder to manage but holds more.

Fairy princess Sulwen in her tutu - 

dolly and Stephen's backpack in hand for the next adventure!

Playing with dolly and other toys in her inside playground.

Caught in her make-believe world.

Sulwen's First Children's Birthday Party

Sulwen has enjoyed her own birthday celebrations quite a lot but has never attended another child's birthday. 

We were invited to a double "turning two" party in Santa Rosa at Howarth Park. Jaxon and his parents had the same midwife that we did (Constance Miles) and he was born about five weeks after Sulwen. Lorelei was the other little girl who turned two. We just met her family at the party.

It was a BIG birthday party with people coming and going and lots of activities (see below for some). The jumpy house and boom box were powered by solar panels (that's the type of crowd it was) and they even brought real dishes and cutlery to the park to cut down on waste. Impressive!

I think the party had quite an impact on Sulwen because we've been playing "birthday party" every morning until I can't quite stand doing it anymore.  She'll definitely know how to sing along at the next birthday party we attend and she'll be an expert candle blower-outer!

In the solar powered jumpy house - just for toddlers.

Coming down the jumpy house slide - more fun possibly than jumping.

Sulwen does her marble and paint art project 

with Jaxon's aunt (very cool idea!).

At the bubble blowing station.

Getting ready to sing all verses of 

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and then Happy Birthday.

Jaxon and Lorelei patiently wait to blow out 

the candles during all that singing.

As many of the children at the party 

that could be rounded up for a photo.

Riding the cow in the Rancho Santa Rosa area of the playground.

Riding again  - on a horse this time.

And then the best of all - riding Midnight (Sonoma County's most favorite pony). 

I wanted to get a Midnight after she had her ride. Such a sweet pony!