Guinea Pigs on Floyd

Experiment: We wanted to see which guinea pig had the strongest sense of smell.

Hypothesis: Oscar (black one)

Conclusion: Well there wasn't really a conclusion since neither one could smell it. We gave them a head-start, but they just climbed right out!

So a-few days later I gave them a hug.

Science Walk #1, Forest Hill Park

In body-embracing humidity we took on metamorphosis, scientific names and insect calls & frog croaks, mainly the males of each species yelling out, 'I want to be your baby's Daddy!'

Down to the lake and into the stream... we found skinks, turtles, fish and silk-spinning underwater creatures. True to her Golden Pond training, M led a a dam-building initiative.

Proteus Gowanus, Brooklyn

The focus of the past few weeks felting action has been resolved into this soft and satisfying set of underwater exploration gear for Proteus Gowanus - aqualungs, swim trunks, wetsuit (not pictured) snorkel and goggles, surf board, bikini and dive beanie... c/o Hope Ginsburg and her visionary take on thirsty water molecules and the omnipotent sea sponge.

Build School on Floyd

'Supportalators' are the things that give strength to any given structure. A detailed video exists describing their values that makes for child and dad-led learning victories. Those bowling guys usually get posted into interior oblivion, after a fall from their precarious perches.

Bond location and set directors need look no further for future talent...

Seward Street Slides, Castro

Built as a protest to prevent development of the site, these forty year old concrete slides are hidden above a blossom-filled residential street, well off the beaten tourist track.

The Exploratorium's experiments in friction meant we knew chicken suits would give us the fastest run. We only had cardboard and that was speedy enough!

See us slide!

Fort Mason, San Francisco

The San Francisco adventure began in a 1940s army hospital after an exhausting midnight packing session, dawn rising, interminably long cross-continent flight and then a mammoth public transport trek across SF with a car-seat, pram, large bags, computers and two small children.

First a stroll in the evening sun, palm trees, lush lawns, sebaceous shrubbery and a pooch park from heaven. Lots of fluff balls and their owners savoring the last rays and a fabulous view of the Golden Gate Bridge and more critically Safeways - the source of our evening substance, cooked in the hostel's giant kitchen. Suddenly too tired for any joy we ate and fell into our single beds and pondered the pitch darkness with a sense of trepidation.

A communal breakfast overlooking Alcatraz with bagels, orange juice and waffles was enough to right our weary souls... so we decided to walk.

For M the greatest Crystal Fair ever was the perfect start - Mexican agate and calcite and South African tiger's eye for J. Then on to the wave organ right out at the end of the marina arm. Burping octopus sounds emanating from deep tubes, as the waves rolled in and we sunned ourselves on reclaimed gravestones and eyed the fabulous yachts. Then on to Chrissy Fields beach for more dog antics and waves.

Ended with Quorn (!) and red wine in the hostel kitchen and some contentment, though no showers braved yet! Then out one last time for the loud mayhem of the Chinese New Year parade - the Year of the Water Snake.