Mushroom playground

Frost had a big group playdate at our house yesterday and its hard for Wren to join in when the friends are 10 and 11 year olds.  He is really out of his demographic but utterly misreads the situation and takes it personally.

I offered to take him for a walk in the stroller.  Before we left Wren said "We are not going looking for mushrooms today!"

I agreed.  "We are not going to look for mushrooms but I might pick one if I see one."

Wren:  BUT YOU SAID we are not looking for mushrooms.

Me:  No, we are going for a walk but if there was a mushroom...

Wren:  We are not picking mushrooms.  DAD!

Josh:  I think Mummy means that If there is a mushroom by the path she might pick it.

There was a mushroom by the path.  Wren became a bit exasperated.  He said "THIS IS BORING".   However, he liked picking the Blewitts because they were in a half circle and easy to get to.

Mushrooms being ID'ed.  They include  Suillus Albivilatus
Leratiomyces Ceres and a mystery Tricholoma which resembles
Odora.

The ones that made it to the pot.  I made a highly reduced
"Mushroom essence" a la Cafe Flora to use
on the Portabello Wellington next week.

Found another flush of Blewitts on our walk as well as a lovely
crop of young chlorrophylum rachodes near Teacher Andrea's house.

Wren enjoyed playing at the playground but was concerned that the swings had been taken away to replace the safety surface.  The swingset frame is now bare - not swings hanging there - and looks skeletal which fit the cold, dark weather.

This morning Wren asked when the sun was going to come up.  It was 10am and I told him the sun probably wouldn't come out today.

Lantern Walk

 On Friday, Wren joined his preschool for the winter Lantern Walk.  We met at Greenlake and shared some hot bread and muffins with apple cider before singing some songs and making a short walk through the trees.  The line snaked a great distance as the lanterns bobbed and snatches of song floated past on the cool but clear night.

Frost's Lantern

The lanterns were lit at nightfall

I have lost Wren's hats so he wore my soft pink cashmere one from Sarah.

Wren took his job of carrying the lantern very seriously.
He was also a serious eater of hot muffins.

Afterwards, we got together with Tara for sushi and she took the boys to see a movie at Thornton Place.  Everyone had a great time and I didn't have to wash up plates after dinner.