Franklin Institute in Philadelphia

Philadelphia was really, really cool. We took Amtrak straight into the city. These men called the "Red Caps," helped my dad with the luggage. There is a broken bell called the liberty bell. My parents thought it was broken because people were so happy when the constitution was written, but it turns out it was just a defective bell. But back then, when something was broken you couldn't just return it.

Climbing through the human heart is fun

lounging on an artery is invigorating

there are four chambers to march through

this is where weather forecasts are made

family photo in Philadelphia

Daddy: It was fun bringing the girls through the city where the constitution was written. I wish the weather was as hot as the family forecast above. It was cool but nothing could stop the Spring break adventures. All of our hotels had indoor pools.

Spring Break-Road Trip-Philadelphia, Cockeysville, Viginia

The owls eyes take up 86 percent of its brain space

Maddy brought over 10 bowling balls

Centripical force pins girls to Tea Cup

Tea Cups were one of many spinning rides

Spinning at 100 miles and hour in a complete 360 degree circle, the madness of Busch Gardens Virginia frees your mind from all thought. It was 50 degrees and breezy, so only the die-hard ride goers were in the theme park. We went bowling at the AMC lanes, stumbled upon the Hanna Anderson outlet store, a Ruby's Diner in Glen Mills, in a snow story, between Philadelphia and Baltimore, spring break was crazy fun.

Daddy: Now I know how Chevy Chase felt in Vacation: a hapless man hurling all his belongings through space in a mini van, everything is possible with momentum, forward momentum. You just can't stop going forward. We met friendly owls, yellow snakes and a cousin of Incaba Hincabus, the friendly, but somewhat moody porcupine who lives under my parents house in Englewood, New Jersey. After a 9:19 Amtrak ride, and two near car accidents-I 95 is a moving insane asylum, we are home.

young Navy Seal training

So this is is X-mas...

We went to Connecticut and saw Oona. Oona gave me my very first Barbie. Barbie is not allowed my household, I think because she's a Communist. But since this Barbie was a present I get to keep her. C

Connecticut is super cute. You can see by this Diner in New Canaan, the town where my mom went to nursery school. We even went by her old house.

We made fresh butter cookies with Oona, Kathleen, who is Oona's mom, Alan, her dad, and their dog Zelda.

Daddy: This wooden Christmas tree is adorned with necklaces. I love how the girls do unexpected things, like taking out there necklaces and using them like tinsel on the tree. Next, an update on Santa's possible visit...

The first Piano Recital

I was nervous. Man oh man, nervous, nervous, nervous. People were every where. God was there, too. See, it was a church for God, so everyone said he was definitely there. There was a Christmas tree and wooden benches with Bibles and prayers on in a little wooden holder on the back of the seats. I was ready to play Ode to Joy and Copy Cat. My sister Maddy was there. Mom and dad were there. My friend Natalia was there with her mom and dad and baby brother, Kristian. My name was called. "We now, welcome Emma Dermansky." I was second on the program. I stand up with my music book and think, "I am a great pianist. I am a great pianist."

Daddy: Maddy kept leafing through the Bibles and Book of Hymns that where in the holders in the back of the wooden pews. Then she would crawl under the pews to play with Kristian and then would make funny faces at mommy. I hoped god was OK with all of our shenanigans. I asked Emma if she was nervous and she said, "Yes." I said I was nervous too and her friend Natalia said, "Why, you're not even playing." Emma did great: So composed, her little fingers going down confidently on the keys of the grand piano. One of the older kids said she wasn't nervous, "It's my fifth recital." Puff-puff. She played a song by Adele and made many, many errors. It really is most important that every one shows up and has patience, along with joy and bravery.

Natalia sits next the Emma, who studies the program.

Stationery card

Bright And Cheery Christmas Card

Turn your favorite photos into personalized Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Trick-or-Treat on West End Avenue and the Dark Art of Spells

We sent into a new building. Some adults pretended they weren't home and kept their doors closed. Other adults opened the door and gave us delicious candy. Lot's of it. Some people left candy in front of their door, so we wouldn't knock. Maybe they had kids and were out trick-or-treating, or maybe they had a dragon in their apartment and didn't want to let it out. I want to learn about spells. I got a book from the library: Lotions, Potions and Slime Mudpies and More.

Daddy: I am concerned that Emma is interested in spells. A point all father's hope not to face: at what age should I introduce my children to the dark arts. Last night I left pennies in white vinegar, so they'd turn green. They did turn green. What next, I wonder.

Trick or Treating vs. Looting, you decide

Emma: Underground, you pop your head out, like a possum. It is a game they have, not really a game, a photo "Opp" for the parents, who love to take pictures of their kids popping up like possums. In fact there are possums running around the grounds, seeing the kids pop out of the ground, the way they would naturally if they weren't trapped at the Bronx Zoo kids section. I could be a little existential because I am in second grade and there has been a big Hurricane that displaced hundreds of families and closed down school for a week.

Maddy pops up with a smile.

Emma seems wistful.

I removed rot from the side of the pumpkins head.

The kids gleefully loot a book store. Daddy: I am anti-looting, but pro trick-or-treating.