Earth Day 2007

Last weekend, Riley and I went to Farm Walk at Pierce College.

Pierce College is a two-year occupational school located on 427 acres in the western San Fernando Valley. The Farm Walk is put on by students in the Agricultural Science Department. There is a petting zoo, hayrides, sheep shearing demonstrations, music, and food.

Riley tried a tractor on for size...


...pretended to drive a fire truck...


...and went for a hayride.


He wanted to see the sheep shearing demonstration...



...but later protested that "The sheep didn't want a haircut!" Perhaps he identified a bit too closely with the animal?



Although it started drizzling a bit later, Riley wouldn't leave until he got to see a pig "like in Charlotte's Web." The pigs were on the other side of the field where folks were playing "Cow Chip Bingo" (don't ask), but fortunately we found a pot-bellied pig nearby to satisfy Riley's porcine yearning.

Dance With Me

Pictures Say It All

How do you really feel about potty training, Riley?

Art?

Some days Riley has his father's artistic eye; others he has my complete lack thereof. Today he took after me:


True to its label, Riley told me this was a picture of "a something."

All Tuckered Out

Riley broke out of his customary social circle today to attend a farm-themed birthday party for a schoolmate. His friend, Chiara, lives within walking distance; so I thought it would be a good opportunity to mingle with other parents in our new neighborhood. I didn't get to do more than introduce myself to a couple of people, though, because I had to spend the majority of my time at the party keeping an eye on Riley.

He was all over the place, having a terrific time. He jumped in an inflatable bouncer, rode repeatedly on a little train in the straw-covered driveway, sang songs to guitar accompaniment, fed carrots to a couple of goat guests, and gobbled down a piece of cake.

Riley was too tired out to walk home, so I carried him for the roughly 1/2 mile trip back to our house. Shortly thereafter, he laid down for what I thought would be a late nap, but ended up retiring for the evening without supper. I hope he doesn't plan to continue the farm theme by getting up at the crack of dawn tomorrow!

Pen Pal, Anyone?

It has been a slow week here, but Riley is getting to know some of his farflung family (and friends) through monthly correspondence. So far, his list of confidants includes all three of his grandparents, his aunt Kate, and his cousin Howard. Anyone who writes will get a response, so feel free to drop him a line!

Clean

Just Another Day In Sunny SoCal

Saturday was a gorgeous day--at least 75 degrees and sunny. After his morning workout at the gym, Riley met his friends Isabella, Kaitlyn, Sean, Elizabeth, and Henry at Buena Vista Park, adjacent to the Burbank Public Library. He spent a couple of hours there playing in the sand, trying out the baby playground equipment and just generally having fun.

Before he went home, he managed to snag a face to face encounter with canine celebrity Benji, star of Benji Off the Leash, who was appearing with Benji movie creator Joe Camp at the library.

Riley closed the afternoon out with a luxurious nap in Mom & Dad's bed before heading off to dinner at his friend Olivia's house.