Big Big Party at Victorian Gardens

Rides are fun, but I'm against hi-speed spinning, swinging or 180 degree upside-down flips. It was a sunny June day and I blew out all the candles, in only three tries. I won a stuffed taxi, who wants to be friends with all the speeding cabs on the streets of Manhattan. I had SO much fun.

The emotions I felt at throwing the toddler party event of the season, rushed in on me like a hurricane, pulling me apart. Anxious, terrified, ashamed, grateful to be alive; I felt them all. I am so happy it is over, grateful there was no rain, injury and a good time had by all (maybe a few parents experienced torment.)

Four Four Four Four

I'm 4. I got a yellow bike, a blue scooter and a book about a run away dinner. All I want to do is ride my bike, scoot and see my vegetables run away. Notice the "Hello Kitty" party blowers. I picked them out.

When Emma said she just wants to ride and scoot, she meant it literally. She wouldn't go to camp until she rode her bike a little bit. She's definitely exerting herself as she grows up.
She did pick out the "Hello Kitty" party plates, cups, napkins and blowers.

Father's Day

My father is something special. I made him a king's crown and suddenly he sat up like a king and demanded all children bow down and listen to King Michael! I just like him to be my dad.

This father's day celebration, a crafts and story party held at the Morningside branch of the New York public library, complete with juice boxes and zip lock bags with gold fish crackers, was attended by two fathers: me and one other father, (who you can see behind me with his eyes closed.) The librarian sang the BINGO song, replacing the word B I N G O with D A D D Y. There is a man who cares for me and Daddy is his name-O!

School is Out

I can't believe it, I finished! What a busy year. Weekday took us on a field trip to see Peter Pan, the marionette horror show. It was weeks ago but I've blocked it from my thoughts. Everyone was supposed to clap or else. It was terrifying. I started crying. Mommy, who was a chaperon, picked me up, carried me out and kissed me. Ms. Holden (my teacher, you can see her picture with Ms. Cox above) told me it was only make believe, but I still didn't like the pirates and the mean people.

Also, I learned how to play cello and violin this year, with Ellen Silver. There was an "I like Chocolate Ice Cream" Party. Wow, do so much, it's tiring just thinking about it, and, my birthday is eight days away!

I used to be terrified of the green witch in the Wizard of Oz. Emma some days seems so grown up but its good to be reminded, she's three going on four.

Photo Shoot in Riverside Park

Here are the actual pictures from Aunt Julie's photo shoot. I had fun and look fantastic.

Yes, Emma looks great. Hooray for Julie. See her fantastic stuff.

Yellow Dress

It's fun to wear a dress on Saturday morning. I feel a special heightened sense of being beautiful.

Daddy: When Emma heard aunt Julie was coming over she said, "I want to wear a dress." Julie is famous for taking pictures of the girls, when she's not in Iraq. This picture is one I took, after the photo shoot, before nap.