words & ideas

Luke has been talking for about six months now, and in the past month he has really had a torrent of new words. So many that I probably couldn't count them -- 100+. In the last week or so, another big cognitive shift has happened. He's started to talk about memories and thoughts. After our trip east, Luke woke up every morning with the refrain, "Gammy Gammy Gammy!" When he and I "talked" about it, he was thinking of the wonderful afternoon he spent with Grammy, Sesa, Kevin and Megan. And last weekend we rode the steam train at the SF Zoo. This week, Luke's been saying: train, tunnel, bubbles! You guessed it: the train at the zoo went thru a tunnel and let loose a shower of bubbles in the tunnel!! For abour the millionth time, I wonder where my baby has gone. He's grown up so fast.

toy addict

My name is Mama. I am a toy-aholic. Yes, it's true. Luke has many toys but nonetheless, Mama gets bored with them and wants to try something new. I am hoping to stave off an emergency run to Toys R Us by creating a wishlist here.


Trains, trucks, and things that go
Brio or Plan toys road/railway kits are a standard size, and Luke's lovely wooden train set (thanks again Pop-Pop!) fits on these rails. Luke has a starter kit, and this is one of his most favorite toys of late. I'm itching to expand his set with tracks, cars, tunnels, trees, bridges ... woo-hoo I love these things!
road and rail sets, intermediate tracks, and all the fun accessories: a tunnel, a station where the trucks can stop for gas, the Golden Gate bridge, car transporter!





To feed the truck addiction, the toughest mightiest truck ever









Another favorite activity around the house is coloring and painting. Hence the need for this beautiful art easel.






and please don't even get me started on the play kitchens. ...

good help is hard to find

four generations of kinsmans

Ruth Kinsman
Robert Kinsman
Anne Kinsman
and Luke Kinsman

mama and her boy

At Rick & Julie's wedding!