Elmo Grows Up (at last!)

Elmo wants to be a fire fighter, a cowboy, a cop! Apparently he's not interested in mathematics or literature. He's funny, he's floppy but he still has a lot of growing to do.

Daddy: Emma was un-phased by the throngs of crazed Madison Square Garden Elmo groupies. I found them a little nerve wracking. Elmo Grows Up, it helped me to realize, I'd better pick a carear, asap!

Mittens, Fur and is it Spring Time yet

I received this lovely brown coat in the mail. Don't I look stylish. Grand-Ma Renee sent it. Maddy has two little mittens that are tied together. It seems like she might trip on them, which I feel is not the best mitten design, and yet these are the mittens the Maddy likes. It feels like it's been cold for a long time. I'm ready for spring.


Yes, Grand Ma Renee sent this posh coat, something Posh Spice would wear. It is difficult to button. It would be nice not having to put on two layers, mittens, scarfs, along with sippy cups. Maybe I could tie the coats mittens, scarfs and sippy cups together so I'd never lose anything.

'giving

I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to write down my thoughts. It was 'giving week, with Turkey (didn't eat!), chocolate cake (ate the ice cream) and giant piles of leaves (climbed through 10 piles!).
I've been going on play dates at different schools (Bank Street, Fieldston, Manhattan Country Day), and taking IQ tests. I got "Very Impressive Work, 98th percentile."
It's silly. I don't need tests to let me know how brilliant I am.


I know the tests are silly and meaningless, but wonder where did Emma get all this so called intelligence from!
At the Bank Street interview they said they don't accept the scores. This made me a little mad. "Even if they get 98 percent!" I said.
Let my comment be stricken from the record.

Getting Candy in New York

Pumpkins, doormen, shoe stores, dry cleaners, grime, slime and crime; that's what Halloween in New York is all about. There was an article in the Times, or so I overheard at Henry's mom and dad's house (Vanessa and Brian Ward), that candy does not in fact give kids a sugar rush; any more than a bowl of carrots. Yes! Stop denying us kids what we really want: candy for lunch, dinner and brunch.


Daddy: Emma sampled MnMs and other treats going door to door in our apartment complex and along Broadway. Maddy ate through a tootsie roll wrapper, walked and crawled on side walkds, punch drunk with scuffed and grimy knees.
I like how Super Girl sits down for pasta in her high chair, like a cop who just finished her beat.

Hello Kitty Photographer

While my mom was traveling in Colorado I took photos for her of our life in New York. Here you can see Daddy with Maddy in front of our building and my school. The great thing about photography is telling people where to stand, how to act and when to smile.

Daddy: Emma took great care taking her "Hello Kitty" photos with her disposable camera. The camera used real film that had to be sent out to be developed, so Emma only got 20 shots, not an unlimited amount. The hello kitty back round was somehow imposed on the film of the disposable camera, a merging of past and future technologies.

How long until I'm 45

I didn't wear a diaper last night! I don't need any more diapers. Also, something else I want to know about, my dad is 45 and I wonder when I'll be 45? When I'm 45 how old will my dad be?


Yes, I am 45 going on 86. Emma is on her slow journey to becoming 45. She also wants to know when she'll be as tall as me.
"Next week," I say.
Now I will take a moment to reflect and rejoice: no more diapers. I thought the day would never come and here it is. After so many packages of diapers and wipes, strapping and unstrapping, this triumphant day quietly blends in.
The picture of Emma in Starbucks was taken by Swedish babysitter Malin on a road trip to Sacramento: Taking a moment to reflect on the growing baby.

Book Fair Un-fair

Last year they had felt letters to glue on bags. This year they tossed out pamphlets, filled some cups with crayons and said draw. That is how our down sizing economy deals with children, a bunch of plastic cups with crayons. Come on, don't you know we are the future!


Last years book fair, the sky was cloudy and over cast. This year it was blue and sunny, mercilessly hot for an October Sunday. I went back to the Columbia book fair, sponsored by Target and the New York Times, as a seasoned dad of two. I've been to children's parties, school fairs, I'm visiting Kindergartens in Manhattan, I thrust Emma into over crowded activities without hesitation. I'm starting to feel like Tom Arnold in that movie where Hugh Grant is not into having kids but his girl friend is pregnant. I hate movies that are that bad but some how linger in your mind for years.