You know it's fall when the trees smell like butter....

...or slightly rotten pumpkins. The jury is still out on the best description for the fragrance that greets visitors to our front door in the fall. Ahh, autumn in Southern California - not much colorful foliage, but warm weather and stinky trees. It was summer when we bought the house, so we had no idea. Last fall we kept wondering what in the world that smell was. Our jack o lanterns weren't old enough, but it sure smelled like they were getting fuzzy. The neighbors commented on it too, but we finally figured out it was the tree. This year, fall came early, so there's no chance it is fuzzy pumpkins. I don't know what kind of tree it is, but they are all over the neighborhood. Any ideas on the identity of our stinky butter tree?

Zachary's First Day

Today, Zach started at his new preschool! He had a great day, starting with breakfast at Pipes with Olivia (and her Mom and Dad).

Then off to school! Even though they had been together just a few minutes before, Zach and Olivia had a joyful reunion:

Then we put the new dinosaur lunch box on its shelf:

And went to the new classroom.

Zach stayed for lunch and half of nap. After we picked Andrew up from school, we made brownies - or should I say, wore brownies. It was a great day!!

Second Grade!!

Second grade, already?? (Though the current phase of making faces every time the camera turns his way would support the 7 year old boy hypothesis...) Andrew started school two weeks ago and it is going well so far. He is making new friends, and still gets to see old friends on the play ground. His teacher is well loved, with lots of experience and a great reputation. His favorite subject is still recess, but math and science run close behind. We are looking forward to a great year!