A Lucky Guess

I gave Lola's four and a half year-old friend Andy a book from the "Magic Tree House" series as his party favor for Lola's birthday. I guessed that his giftedness would make the series fascinating for him, even though they are recommended for grades 1-3. I was right! His parents report that he is now a fan of the series. (He says so too, and Andy doesn't lie.) So it's confirmed: read the Magic Tree House series to gifted preschoolers who cannot yet read at that level for themselves. Andy is a discriminating consumer!--K

Monday Night on the Couch

Never give your baby a salt-n-vinegar potato chip to prove to her that she won't like it. Daddy tried to take the bag away shortly after these pictures were taken. Mommy had already told Lola that "these chips are OURS--mine and yours"--so Lola had a clear vision of Daddy's transgression. Mommy also taught Lola how to wash the chips down with juice.--K

First Snow, Basketball, and a Mom to Emulate

It's hard to see the snow in the air in these two pictures, but you can see the flakes in Lola's hair. Scroll down for basketball and mom content.



We played basketball at 8:30 p.m. last night. For those of you without toddlers, doing this activity at this time is the toddler equivalent of tying one on down at the pub. There was much happy yelling (and much barking from the dogs). See below for the "mom" story.
I'm including material from an email that Grandma Linda (Josh's mom) sent to Josh. All good moms aspire to be the kick-butt mom that this message shows her to be:

"No, don't worry about adhd and ritalin. It's rare that teachers push that for girls, and I don't think she qualifies as hyperactive. When you were little, your doctor kept asking me if you were, and I denied it every time. I suspected him of being a pusher. If he'd asked if you were merely active, I would have denied that, even though he could plainly see."

I Cooked Moong Dahl (Indian Dish)

This is my first successful Indian cookery! My hands still smell wonderfully like turmeric and curry. I can't wait to cook more dishes: we're going to find a good Indian grocery store in Atlanta.--K

Lola Wants Your Vote

Lola (Countess Featherston) has entered the race for president.
She has an unrivalled ability to say
"NO . . .NO . . . NO . . . NO . . . NO!" to pushy special interest groups
and an equal force in her articulation of
"MORE . . . MORE . . . MORE" when children are in urgent need of more things.

Super Tuesday is Feb 5.

Lola's Last Birthday Party of 2007

Lola contemplates her cake "made-from-scratch" (does anyone use this expression anymore) by Grandma in Tallahassee. It was delicious!