September Highlights

I'm catching up on some pictures from before our trip to Europe.  September started with a weekend at the beach for Ra and TJ while JT was playing an ultimate tournament in Salem.

 

 

The Bobs is a great stroller, but I believe this is the first time it was used to haul gear as well.  At this point in the hike to the campsite, TJ was inspecting the in-flight magazine selection.

This Megabloks set has been a staple of playtime in recent months.  We have a few other locking block (ala Lego) sets, but this is definitely the best.

We set up the portable baby jail for a few weeks before heading to Europe.  Thankfully, it didn't take much for TJ to become acclimated to it, and it was an outstanding item to have during our travels.

TJ's eating skills have improved immensely, but certain meals still give us the joy of shirtless messy eating.

TJ takes neighbor Zan's trike for a ride.  We'll be picking him up a balance/kick bike very soon.  :)

Europe (Part 3) ==> Paris

TJ and KFalk relax on the non-OSHA-approved staircase soon after our arrival in Paris.

TJ frightens the locals.

Best playground ever... a high ropes course for kids 6+.  The maturity, concentration and joy of these kids was amazing as they moved around the course without any direct adult assistance.

The family enjoys a pic-a-nic at a giant suburban park.

Octopus slide!

Our first evening in Paris was spent walking from home, past Notre Dame to a spot on the river from which we could see the Eiffel Tower.  By lucky happen-chance, we got to see the 5 minutes of each hour when lights twinkled like pixie dust.

HOLE!!!  This small but deep hole in the courtyard outside S&K's home fascinated TJ.  Every morning, he would shout "shoe, hole", wanting to put on his shoes and venture out to peer into the hole.  The best part was that his pronunciation of "hole" sounded like "whore".   SHOE! WHORE! ...  SHOE!  WHORE!  tee-hee.

TJ enjoying a kick-arse French playground near the Louvre.  (well, okay, Shoe and I had to test the toys for a while to make sure they were safe.  I think we let TJ play on them a bit later... for a minute... or two... before we had to leave.)

TJ does his "Cowboy Small" imitation.  Yee-haw!

We believe the kid on the right was explaining that TJ was under-age for this spinny-thing, but since his French was too well developed for KFalk to translate for us, we rode on it anyway.

Monument(al) nap time.

In case you were wondering, TJ is letting us know that the eternal flame at the Arc De Triomphe is "hot".

TJ became fascinated by boats on the river.  We had to stop and watch every boat passing... which still wasn't enough of a deterrent to have us take any route that wasn't along the river.

TJ takes his favorite Parisian girlie on a romantic sunset walk near the Eiffel Tower.

iTouch = Toddler crack

I don't know how they make these (one part butter, one part sugar, two parts cloud), but the French know what they're doing.

TJ gave a so-so grade to Notre Dame...

...but an A+ to the playground adjacent to Notre Dame.

TJ and Tay-Tay.

Everyone loves Camper brand shoes.

We are sorry to report that TJ broke (bobblehead) Greg Oden's arm and that he will miss yet another season to injury.

TJ waved "Hi" to an officer at the Toronto airport on this vehicle.  The officer whipped around, turned on his lights and sirens for show and then let us take a picture.  It was really sweet.  Damn I love Canada and Canadians.

Travelling with a toddler?  A balloon is absolutely the best toy to pack any time you're hanging out in airports or plazas or anywhere that can handle some crazy running around joy.  I can't begin to tell you how many people smiled and kicked the balloon back to TJ as they were passing through or seated nearby.  As Tree said, he really was our "sunshine spreader" for the whole trip.

Europe (Part 2) ==> Gaujac

TJ was excited by but very respectful of the pool.

Walking through Gaujac on our way to Oppidum.

JT practices some silly walks.  TJ learns rodeo moves.

Roman ruins of Oppidum, including the hunting dog who decided to take a break from flushing wild hogs out of the brush and instead took a light hike with us.

Oppidum overlooking Gaujac.

Napping on the Oppidum descent.

Enjoying a baguette in Connaux.

Picnic in the back yard.

Flynn boys relax by the pool.

Late-night skills practice at the Gaujac futbol pitch.

Breakfast in the main house.

TJ spent half of his mealtimes bopping in and out of the back door.

In Uzes, TJ latched onto this young boy with both hands.  I believe it was part of building international relations.

Who says?  Uzes!  (a.k.a. the cutest little town I've ever seen.)

TJ enjoyed his first forward-facing time in our French rental car.

Pont du Gard, the highest of all Roman aqueducts, is part of a 50km system that descended only 56ft along that length.  If you look really close, you might see the spec of some people under the center arches.

Taking a break in the tunnel that extended past the bridge portion of the aqueduct.

Back at the Rhone Retreat, we get a little reading and Tozzle (Toddler Puzzle ap) relaxation time.