Exclusive Interview

I meant to do this interview with Lily on her birthday, but never got around to it. I got the idea from our friend Joanna, who plans to interview her son every year on his birthday. I figure this will make good embarrassing material for her wedding.

What's your favorite color?
Pink, because I like the light color.

Who is the President of the United States?
Barack Obama.

Who is the Vice President?
Michelle?

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Is Santa Claus a job? Lifeguard. Because I like the beach. [This was a surprise - previously the answer has been gummi bear maker, artist, sign maker, and police officer.]

Are you smart?
Yeah.

How do you know?
I think of a lot of things in my head that are problems to fix.

Who's your best friend?
Ellie. I really really really really really love her. I also like Gina from school. But we just started being friends.

What's your favorite season?
Winter. I like eating snow. Not yellow snow!

What's your favorite food?
Mac n' cheese!

What do you like to do?
Go to the pool. Go to the park. Go to Ellie's birthday party. Go to the library.

Do you like doing anything at your house?
Mommy! I like to play there. And eat.

What do you like better, cats or dogs?
Cats. I like the sound they make better. And they remind me of Ellie because she has a cat. Can I have a cat?

If for one day you could either fly or be invisible, what would you pick?
Fly. Because if there was a tree with a really high tree house, I could get in without climbing.

What's the very first thing you remember from when you were a baby?
Ellie.

What's your favorite movie?
Sound of Music, cause I like the singing and the color of Maria's hair.

If you were magic, what would you do?
I would be wide awake when I was told to so I could be ready even when it's early.

What things don't you like?
Anything stinky.

What are your favorite and least favorite words?
L-O-V-E and P-O-O.

What is the biggest problem in the world today?
I dunno. Oh, yes, how about this? When people are pigs at the reservoir. They leave garbage and Daddy and I pick it up. So garbage, when people pollute. There should be more garbage cans.

What's your favorite joke?
What are you eating under there? Underwear! Hahahahahaha, you said underwear.

Baby Jane

This is what happens if you let Michael and Lily go off on their own at Sephora.

First Day of Kindergarten!

I can't believe it's here - the first day of kindergarten. Lily was excited, but I think I was more so. She seemed to be handling the whole lead up fine, but then, this morning she woke up at 5am and again at 6am saying her belly hurt. Like mother like daughter. She said she was a little nervous about meeting the teacher and the other kids, and "why doesn't the bus have seat belts?" But she hopped right on the bus when it arrived and seems to have had a good day - not that we can get anything out of her. Very frustrating.

A lot of thought went into this outfit. All the other kids at the bus stop were wearing jeans and t-shirts. How long until she wants to dress like that too?

Into the maw of the beast. Michael did not follow the bus in his car.

We met Lily's teacher Friday at the open house. She was hired Thursday (the school got some last minute funding) and looks like she's 16 years old. However, she seems enthusiastic and I liked her immediately.

Here's to the excitement of a new school year!

Pittsburgh

The last stop on our long journey east was Pittsburgh, where we visited wonderful friends Karen and Jack (plus their three remarkably calm dogs) and their beautiful, beautiful home.

View of Pittsburgh from the top of the Dusquene Incline. Again taken with my new lens, which can make objects look like toy models.

Summer vacation was fun, especially seeing old friends. We miss you all!

Chicago

After our great time in Wisconsin, we drove to Chicago to visit with our friends Tom and Joanna and their wonderful, letter-loving son Alejandro. He's 3, and just about the cutest, smartest, most charming little boy you could imagine. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos, so I thought I'd excerpt the following from their blog, Alejandro!

Lily W (Alejandro always uses her last name) and Ale had a blast. For kids that only get together twice a year, they jumped in instantly and jumped, tackled, and tickled each other enough to make up for lost time. Neither of them slowed down during their two day visit. Taking photos of the non-stop action was nearly impossible, but this one captured the spirit nicely.

Thanks Tom, Joanna, and Alejandro, for being such great friends!

A Few More from the Wisconsin Trip

Michael says the beard is temporary, but I like it.

Wisconsin!

Our annual pilgrimage to the north woods was great. Lily and Mike spent two weeks there with Don, Joann, Claire, the three dogs and numerous rotating houseguests. I showed up toward the end, and spent a few days before we headed back to DC, with visits to friends in Chicago and Pittsburgh along the way.

I took these shots with my new "tilt-shift" camera lens that creates a sharp center and a slow blurring outward. They're not out-of-focus, they're supposed to look like that.

Our very own bay on the lake. Named by Don after Joann, who is actually named Johanna.

Claire on the pontoon during one of the daily pre-dinner cruises.

Lots of swimming. I know, I know, she needs to get her bangs cut!

Shopping for provisions (like ice cream and whipped cream). Michael and Claire are in the background.

The Wampum Shop, source of all Northwoods crap like indian-beaded necklaces (made in China) and coonskin caps, as well as whoopee cusions and candy cigarettes (can you believe those are still made?).

The "Burda-Mobile" camp truck. No one can remember why they call it that.