Ride 'em high

"Ride 'em high. Ride 'em low." That's what Jack Catchup, the spittin' swearin' rustler from Texas told me. "Eeeh-ha!" I jumped up on crazy Molly. Yep, she tried to break me, but she and me came to an understanding,: you respect me, I respect you, we'll live to see a brighter tomorrow.

Emma took the "no fear" approach to the Pony ride. She jumped up, grabbed the pommel and rode through the fair grounds like the Electric Horseman.

Wizard

How is this possible? How is this small person creating these bubbles as large as balloons you see bloating high in the sky carrying three scared people in its basket. The answer is I am so powerful that I am a wizard.

I was just reading the sports section and looked up to see my daughter, Emma, engulfed by these giant bubbles. I thought, what is this, global warming, something about the little bubbles and the atmosphere but then Emma explained to me she was "a wizard."

The Fair

Corn Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Fried Oreos, Orange County house wives dipped in cake batter, they have it all the San Diego county fair. Mommy tried to get me to go on the roller coaster but I told her, "Too scary, too scary." She likes living in the edge but someone has to be concerned for my safety.

Sponge Bob Squarepants was the real and metaphorical guide of the fair. Emma demanded Sponge Bob Squarepants from the second we entered the grounds. I bought her an 8 dollar balloon which she takes around with her, opening doors, sitting in chairs, watching Sponge Bob Squarepants when Sponge Bob wants to watch his own show.

California Dreamin'

Here I am with Mommy. She saved me from the white water and evil rip tides of La Jolla beach. I played with cousins. Sara dropped me in the sand. Believe me when I say sand doesn't taste great. It's sharp and bitter. I prefer plain bread, plain bagels or bananas.

Getting the family through the metal detectors to San Diego is never easy. We flew with Grand Pa Ira and Grand Ma Annie which was fun. Jet Blue has tiny TVs in the back of the chairs and everyone watched Wimbledon and Sponge Bob Squarepants. Madeleine's baby naming went off smashingly. The Taubmans and the Dermanskys mingled in celebration of all the girls.

Now I'm really Three

Now that I'm really three I feel sudden new insights. Controlling your mind and your pee brings each person unbelievable courage.
My parents bought me a stove for my birthday. I have a new chant, "Microwave, Oven, Dishwasher, "Frigerator, YES! Microwave, Oven, Dishwasher, 'Frigerator, YES!!!"





Emma spontaneously broke into a cheer listing the four major components of her Fisher Price stove. "Microwave, Oven, Dishwasher, 'Frigerator, YES!!!" It is how I'm going to try to behave at JFK at the Jet Blue terminal tomorrow. "Baggage, Metal Detector, Water, Magazines, YES!!!" Well, we'll see.

"The event of the season"

Wow! What an awesome partay! Danna Banana drove in from Rockland County to rock out at the Hippo Playground. My dad was quite anxious the night before. His neck was jotting from side to side like a malfunctioning crane. All the weather stations said there was a 90% chance of rain. Bad odds, especially when they upgraded it to 100% chance. I guess because I am truly blessed "The event of the season" was storm free, just a few light sprinkles.

Wow, what a relief. Emma was correct, nervous I was. 'There are horrible floods in Missouri, but please I have favors and strollers and jeuce boxes to transport. Please let the rain storms stall in Pennsylvania for a few hours.'
That was my prayer.
Danna Banana was concerned that the kids weren't that into him. He was drenched in sweat and a little despondent. Adina tried to cheer him up, telling him, "You did great."

Today is Emma's actual birthday. We're getting ready to visit the San Diego Taubman clan, packing, napping and charging the batteries.

Hokie Pokie

Over the course of my first year of school, I mastered the Hokie Pokie. School was fun. Finals were a little stressful, though. Thank goodness for chocolate and Red Bull.

Emma received straight A's in school and is on track.

Here are some transcriptions from her report card:

Social-Emotional Development: Emma interacts and shares well with everyone. She is able to follow directions, daily routine, and easily transitions to activities without any disruptions. She did very well with separation from her parents. Emma has the ability to wait for her turn and focus on an activity.

Cognitive Development: She loves to play with pegs. She fills the entire pegboard with pegs on top of one another and say, "I am making a tower." When the pegs fall off from the pegboard, she says, "Uh oh, it's broken."

Physical Development: Emma likes to go on the slide. She is able to run without falling. Emma also enjoys riding the scooter and pretends she is going to the zoo. In addition, she likes to throw, kick, bounce and roll a ball.

Emma is very cooperative, happy and dedicated student. She takes an interest in her work and alway does her personal best. She made progress in all areas of development. She is ready for next year, and we will miss her.