My kids are now 9 and 7 and I don't want to speak too soon and jinx it, but I think they may actually be developing taste buds that resemble those of a normal person rather than chicken finger only eating animals.  They seem to finally be getting sick of what I call 'plastic' foods-- items you microwave or 'heat'.  For a while the little one would ONLY eat chicken fingers, cream cheese and jelly, and occassionally a turkey sandwich if pressed -- NO other proteins or colored foods passed his lips.  He is finally beginning to agree to try new things and recently even has a craving for tacos!  So, for all of the desperate moms out there who cry out 'they won't eat anything I cook for them'...take heart, all it takes is a little time and to KEEP TRYING.  At least one a week (once a day if you can bear it) add something new to their plate and see if you can't convince them to try just one bite.  If they seriously don't like it, try again another time, but one bite is the pass word.  You never know, you might hit on something that'll surprise you.

Fall seems to have finally arrived -- there's a little chill in the air, kids are settling into school routines, mommies are happily back at the gym, at baby classes with friends, having coffee, going to work or just getting into routines themselves. Weekends are full of soccer, ballet, football, friends, and town fun -- people come out to see friends or meet new ones and the towns are buzzing with chatter and events of all types. It's my absolute favorite time of year.

What I like most about the fall though is that it always makes me remember why we live in this gorgeous area. The options for fun are endless, whether as adults out at amazing local restaurants or happenings, or out with the kids in local parks, apple picking, or at interesting new classes. But I'm babbling, you know why you live here -- it's like nowhere else, we have the best city in the world a train ride away, yet the most spectacular nature preserves, parks, farms, and more to enjoy right in our own back yards.

Last weekend we took the kids to enjoy a walk in one of our favorite nature preserves, the Westchester Land Trust's Westchester Wilderness Walk in Pound Ridge and discovered that they had added one of their "Quest" adventures to the trail. The Quest leads families along a beautiful trail while engaging children in some hands-on activities and learning as they go (don't worry they won't notice). Kids take a booklet at the trail head, and armed with the booklet and a pencil, follow the trail to find letters along the way that spell out a secret message. They also add stamps to their book, playing a sort of stamp bingo as they go -- double the fun! Instructions and clues are given as they follow the trail telling them what to look for at each spot-- thus the learning, as they seek out special trees, vines, rocks, and more.

The Westchester Land Trust hosts Quests at the Westchester Wilderness Walk in Pound Ridge and on the Rose Preserve in North Salem. The Quests are a truly wonderful way to get the kids out of the house, enjoy a crisp fall day, and get out and about AT NO COST!

For more information about the Westchester Land Trust Preserves and hikes, visit www.westchesterlandtrust.org.