Now he's really 3!

Best part about birthdays - chocolate cake!

August 26th is Alec's birthday - he made a cake with his babysitter, and in the evening we had a family gathering. He had a Skype call with Grandmaman and Grandpapa, which included blowing out candles and singing, and then we had presents, dinner, and cake at home.

Books for Alec

Dig!

Attack of the mutant zucchini!

Here's what happens when the skies stay grey and we don't go into the garden very often:

We are also harvesting cherry tomatoes, carrots and radishes.

Almost 3!

Cupcakes!

After a summer full of fog, on Sunday the clouds drifted away and we had Alec's third birthday party in the garden. Lots of kids running around, a teepee, musical instruments, bubbles, and tricycles. BBQ and cake, too! Not bad for a very improvised event. Here are a few photos:

Alec and his friend Luca

Could it be a baseball bat? 

Now a few more days before the real event!

SF Saturday

Spidey!

Alec had a runny nose on Friday, so we decided to lay low this weekend. Saturday afternoon the fog sort of burned off in the afternoon, so we went to one of Alec's (and our) favorite parks - Dolores Park. People were out in full force, picnicking, tightrope walking between the palm trees, and probably doing less wholesome things. But we were there for what Alec calls the "spiderweb". So that he can be Spiderman.

Look out!

Followed it up with a cone from Bi-Rite Creamery - the real reason that N. likes to go to Dolores Park. A. chose vegan chocolate coconut. Looks like he enjoyed it!

Philo, CA

We went up to Philo, in southern Mendocino County, for part of the weekend. If you don't know where Philo is, it is just north of Boonville, in the Anderson Valley. We go there at least once a year to visit Navarro Winery, and since it is just too far to go for a day, the past few years we've been camping overnight at Hendy Woods State Park, just down the road.

at the campsite

This year, we drove up late Friday afternoon, and set up camp. The camp was full with families - I think that we had one of the more minimal campsites - no bikes, tables, Coleman stoves, multi-family tents for us! I forgot my good camera, so the photos are from the phone...

We woke up in the morning and had a nice little hike through the Little Hendy Grove, to see the redwoods, and then packed up camp and drove across the street to the Navarro barrel tasting event. This is a great event -  you get to taste the pinot noir from the previous year directly from the barrels, right before they bottle it, as well as all of the other wines that they offer.

Then they have a bluegrass band, usually some animals, and a great taco bar with interesting salsas made by various farm workers, as well as other great picnic fare.

Alec enjoyed his taco with purple beet salsa!

This year, there was goat cheese from the goats that were visiting.

The goat that Alec and N milked

We also took a 4x4 tour of the property, it is almost 1000 acres, and rises from around 300-over 900 feet elevation. From the top you can see the Hendy Woods. We also saw some of the short-legged sheep that they use as weed control, and some of the barriers that they use to keep out birds, deer, and even bears! I felt a little bad, since the previous night I had to convince Alec that there weren't any bears around (he kept seeing the California State Parks symbol), and I seriously thought that there weren't any. But apparently there are, and they like munching on grapes.

We leave you with a photo from up top at Navarro...

Down by the Bay

Friday, Alec wanted to ride his bike to the library, but we needed to pump up the tires, so Saturday we got the bike in riding shape and went off in search of a good route. First choice, Crissy Field, was a bit too foggy, so instead we parked by the Embarcadero and went exploring there.

Here's the Alec at the helm:

Checking out the traffic

Watching the fishermen

We rode all the way out on the fishing pier, to watch the fisherman, but on the way back, someone highjacked the bike.

Push, push...

Back in the saddle

Québec été 2010

For the past week or so we have been on vacation in Québec. Alec has spent lots of time with his Grandmaman and Grandpapa, and we've also been catching up with friends both in Québec City and in Montréal.

Alec has been having lots of fun playing with new toys, including this soccer ball, which is a big success. His dribbling skills are quite impressive, must be the match that we watched in SF together with my friend Anna at her local pub.

Other summer sports include the pool, of course,

And munching the bone at N's 26th annual méchoui (lamb roast). This year was especially successful - lots of guests, kids from 1 month to 17 years, and great weather that kept us outside in tanktops until long after dark...

like father, like son