Now I Know My ABC's...

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Oakland Zoo

Since Mike is heading back to work soon (we're going to miss him...he's been home almost 2 months!!!), I decided I needed to make the most of the time we have left. It had been a while since Ben and I got to do something special just the two of us, so I took him to the Oakland Zoo (threatening rain clouds and all). Luckily, the rain held off until we left, but we had a great time together!

We rode the carousel,

saw the giraffes,

climbed atop tomato frogs,

indulged in some pb&j with fries,

rode the steam train (Ben's FAVORITE part),

and left very happy. I love spending time with my bog boy!

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A Phase?

No, those band-aids are not because Ben actually needs them. Ben has become obsessed with band-aids. What is it about band-aids kids love so much? I just hope they fall off in the bath...I don't want to be the one to have to take them all off. Ouch!

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Mr. Smiley

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It Was a Napa Kind of Day

We decided to take our first mini-road trip as a family and head up to Napa.

And while Sam slept (I caught him awake for a few minutes before he nodded off)...

We had a lovely lunch at Bistro Don Giovanni,

See and download the full gallery on posterous

And then stopped at Bouchon for some chocolaty delicious bouchon...headed to Francis Ford Coppola Presents so Mike could deliver some bouchon goodness to some colleagues. Finally we headed home, in hopes that October temps in Walnut Creek would be a little cooler than the 99 degrees we experienced in Napa.

Did I mention we shopped, as well? Food, family, retail therapy...perfect!

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Smitten

I think it's pretty safe to say that Ben is smitten with his baby brother, Sam....

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Pumpkin Patch

While Sam slept, we had a blast at the pumpkin patch! Ben jumped in a giant pool of beans, fed a llama, went through a giant tunnel and maze of hay, and picked out a special pumpkin for his little brother Sam. He's SUCH a good big brother!