September 2010

September 2010: The big transition for this month was Mama going back to work full time and Aurora going back to day care full time. A couple weeks after Aurora started back at her school, they decided to transition her from Toddlers to Preschool. Usually, kids are 2.75 years before this transition happens but they thought that Aurora was more than ready. Her teachers are impressed by how verbal she is and how well she can communicate with others. The only aspect that she seems to be behind is potty training. Although she missed Miss Kim, her Toddler teacher, Aurora loved being with the "big kids" and getting to explore all sorts of new toys. Plus, many of her Toddler classmates had already transitioned over the summer, so she was with a familiar group of kids.

September 5, 2010: While Mama went to work that morning, Aurora and Baba got to go to a beach birthday party. When everyone got home, Aurora made "dirt" cups with Mama, which she and Baba enjoyed together. Last spring, Aurora started cooking class at daycare, and she loves it. For an extra fee, she gets to go cook for an hour once a week. Some of the things she has made include oatmeal cookies, carrot cake, salads, gumbo, and granola. This has translated into Aurora wanting to help in the kitchem more at home. She loves to help crack eggs, measure things, and stir.
Dirt (even fake dirt) can be messy!

Aurora shows off the sunglasses (and balloon) she got at the party.

September 6, 2010: Labor Day. A perfect day to head to World's End for a light hike. Here Aurora tries out the hiking back pack.

This is much better! I like hiking this way!

After hiking through fields and woods, we got to the beach. Aurora loved writing her name in the sand, looking for crabs in the tidepools, and seeing the boats on the water.

I miss Lindsey!

Video: Stick in the sand

Video: Aurora loves her hiking stick

Aurora's favorite part of any hike might be the hiking snacks!

Video: Aurora loves her cookie more

Jon is a master diaper changer, and has changed Aurora in all sorts of places such as in the woods, on an airplane, and on the Great Wall of China. A grassy field is a snap for him.

September 7, 2010: Mama's first day of school. Aurora and Eebee look too cute this morning.

September 13, 2010: Aurora really has a sense of humor, and purposely makes jokes, such as wearing her sunglasses upside down and asking us if she has them on correctly.

September 17, 2010: Most Friday evenings, we can be found at the local Gymboree. They have "open gym" until 7:30 pm, giving Aurora plenty of time to play with Mama and Baba.
Video: Ride 'em cowboy!

September 19, 2010: We drove down to NY for a quick weekend trip. We spent Saturday and Sunday morning with Wai Po and Wai Gong. Here Aurora is enjoying the playground while Wai Pao and Wai Gong walk around the town track.
Video: Dangling

Aurora also takes a trip around the track. She couldn't decide if she wanted to walk, to run, or watch the soccer game happening on the field!

Back to the playground.

Run, Baba! (As if anyone had a doubt who the boss in our house is)

Slide, Baba!

Sit with me, Baba!

Resting on a rock by the track.

Aurora loves to push her stroller around. Here she is negotiating it up the ramp to the gazebo.

After a fun morning, we packed up and drove south a New Jersey. Why? Some of Kathy's friends were having a mini reunion, hosted by Don Makoff. The Mankoffs live across the street from an awesome park and playground, so of course all the kids couldn't wait to head over there to play.

Video: Swinging

Video: Driving a fire truck

Video: Swaying

September 23, 2010: Lance Ozier had a photo exhibit at the West Roxbury branch of the BPL. We went to the artist's reception after work that day. Aurora loved seeing Uncle Lance's photos so much she even taped the promotional postcard up on her room door when we got home that evening. Here she is burning off extra energy with Jon.

Video: Digging a hole

Video: Circles

September 25, 2010: We tried out a new (to us) playground near the Charles River. It was a hot and sunny day, but for some reason Aurora insisted on wearing the new fleece top Wai Po sent.

Later, back at home, Aurora plays in the backyard. Isn't she such a proper young lady?

Video: Catching bubbles

And then it was time to break out the water table.

"Mama, my shirt is all wet. I want it off!"

"Mama, my shoe is all wet. Off!"

"My foot is dirty!"

"My shorts got all wet!"

"My diaper got wet." (No, Aurora, if you take off your diaper, we are going inside)

The last shoe finally gets taken off.

September 26, 2010: Newton "touch a truck" day! There were all sorts of big and small trucks and specialty vehicles which kids could explore. Aurora checks out the inside of a moving van.