How Silas likes to have fun

using the telescope to look at the sun, indirectly of course

Sometimes I go through the photo archives and realize there are tons of great photos I haven't shared because they weren't taken of a major event or vacation.  (although sometimes I don't even post those, sorry)  But we try to take regular old "in the life" photos of Silas doing his thing.  And now that he's more amenable to being photographed we have more to share, or perhaps he doesn't always realize that by taking a picture of something he's sitting next to we get a picture of him too? Oh well.  Here's the update on Silas:

Silas is very interested in the natural world.  It is motivating us to learn more so we can keep up with his questions. Kevin got a telescope from Grandpa for his birthday and this has prompted a 2nd wave of interest in space beyond just the vehicles and astronauts. Today he brought home yet another space book from the library and proceeded to read me words like "Europa" and "Uranus" (pronounced the modern way). If you ask him what his favorite planet is he might say Saturn or Pluto (... don't even mention the word planetoid to him, he doesn't want to hear it)

We try to get outside as much as possible and recently went on a hike on the Nimitz trail in Tilden park. (side note: he whines every time the word hike is mentioned but somehow he pulls it together to enjoy himself once we start).  This trail is paved so it works even after the rainy season has started. We used to come here with the stroller and for years I never made it past the first 1/4 mile. But now we bring a notebook and pencil so Silas can jot down his "obsrvashins". And just for the record this is his idea, not mine.  In school he is encouraged to write by sounding out words, and he is into it.  No limits.

making observations on our recent hike in Tilden park

Examples from the notebook:
"Sum trees hav leevs"  "Sum tablse hav life" (the table shown above had lichen growing on it) "Sum conifers hav brawn neetls" "sum hoorsis hav tals difrint culr then its botee"

blocking the trail to make important scientific notes about the horse that just walked past

the view from the Nimitz trail in Tilden

Silly Silas on a drive through Marin County, where we go for some outdoorsy adventure

Although before he started full time school we spent more time out hiking and at the zoo, we still try to go on days off or sometimes after school.  He still does love all the old places and we're starting to branch out to some new spots. I personally can't wait until his reading skills expand to let him read all the science museum placards.  Now when we go he sometimes has me hoarse by the end of the visit from reading all the info to him.

a shy turtle inside his shell at Oakland Zoo

coming out of the shell

boy on a tomato frog

He is making new friends in kindergarten and had some great friends from preschool too but he has a special place in his heart for our neighbors.  Even though these 2 moved to San Francisco recently we still think of them as neighbors...

making art while wearing crowns with Jasper and Zimry

Silas, Jasper and Zimry 3 years ago

reading to his friends

He is really getting into holidays this year. Perhaps it's his new awareness of the calendar and the seasons.  He was truly into the pumpkins this Halloween.

wearing his Halloween carnival prize headband and posing with his second pumpkin of this year

with his first pumpkin 2006, 7 months old

Joey is included in all lists of family members

Darwin is also family, but ranks lower than Joey (perhaps by weight)

fierce carnival masks from Uncle Chris and Lynette

I noticed this photo the other day and thought it captured the same face he made years ago. Sometimes it feels good to be reminded that he is the same person then and now.

same facial expression from the elf days...

the original elf photo