Hello mommies and daddies!

It has been c-c-cold lately! Nevertheless, it's been impressive to
get outside and see how many other people have been enjoying the
season.

We've been collecting leaves and talking about colors, seasons,
light, and life cycles. Max is quite astute at recoginizing the
different colors and how something can be more yellow or more red,
and that there is no one absolute red or yellow. In comparing the
fallen leaves to green ones he is more accustomed to seeing, we
commenced a conversation about life and death. This is certainly not
a topic I would have expected a two year old to understand, but I am
pleased at how quickly he could identify the cycle of life elsewhere
in nature - pointing out a fading plant in the garden to a dried up
earthworm on the sidewalk. We talked about food and cycling of
nutrients, and though the topic made Max concerned and sad, he was
pleased to understand that organisms could flourish and benefit when
another organism passed on. With my dear friend, Bob, passing away a
few weeks ago, this reminder of the simple cycle of life helps me be
at peace with this loss; as a teacher, Bob would greatly enjoy being
included in such a lesson.

Despite the cold, we hope you're able to get out and live a little,
working up a little sweat with Amy or Loren and their little ones for
a jog or speedwalk, or taking in the beauty of nature on a hike with
Amy or Jennifer. Here are this week's events:

Monday, December 8th at 10 am we'll hike at Shoreline Park and Emily
Renzel Wetlands in Mountain View/Palo Alto. The trail is paved, so
it's great for all strollers or kid carriers. Meet at the lake next
to where the sailboats are kept (to the right of the cafe / bathrooms
building) in Shoreline Park. There are plenty of play structures and
a beach for toddlers - we'll stop to play after the hike! Sorry, no
dogs allowed. For information about the park and directions, see
Shoreline Park Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/Shoreline/Shoreline.html) and
Emily Renzel/Byxbee Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/Byxbee/Byxbee.html). Amy and
little Adelina will lead this hike. If you're running late, give Amy
a call at 650-207-6556.

Tuesday, December 9th at 9 am Loren and little Angelo will lead a
mellow stroller jog around Almaden Lake and down Los Alamitos Trail.
Meet at the water dragon by the big playground near the bathrooms and
swimming beach in the main parking lot near the intersection of
Coleman Avenue and Almaden Expressway. Note that this is a different
parking lot for the lake than we often use to begin hikes. No dogs
allowed! Jogging strollers are best, but this is an entirely paved
trail, so smaller-wheeled strollers are also OK. Walkers always
welcome! For more information about the area or directions, see The
Los Alamitos Creek Trail Webpage
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/LosAlamitos/LosAlamitos.html). If
you're running late, call Loren at 831-227-6737.

Thursday, December 11th at 10 am Jennifer and her little one will be
leading a hike around Sanborn-Skyline Park just outside Saratoga.
Come for a hike along one of the redwood-shaded nature trails - we
hope to see salamanders, slugs, and other critters who love the shade
and dampness of this area. The hike will pass the large picnic area
and stage where Shady Shakespeare is held in the summer. The paths
are wide and flat dirt, but there are a couple of tight corners and a
couple steps, so it is best for a carrier/backpack. Meet at the YSI
building, marked very clearly as you enter the park from Sanborn Road
(the main park entrance). After you pass the parking payment area,
make your first right and park in that parking lot. For directions or
more information about the area, see The Sanborn-Skyline Webpage
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/SanbornSkyline/SkylineSanborn.html
). If you're running late, call Jennifer at (408) 470-0463.

Please reply to the poll if you plan to come to any of these events,
so we can plan future events accordingly, as well as anticipate
attendance. Stay toasty!

-Debbie and little Max