Andy the Bobcat

Andy attended his first pack meeting as a Cub Scout. Although he turns 8 later in the month, he was invited to this month's meeting because they were handing out Pinewood Derby kits and Andy needs to get going. Pictured is Andy lining up for a relay race. Next month we'll either post pictures of Andy learning to use a coping saw and apply direct pressure to open wounds or of his dad being reprimanded for trying to smuggle a six-pound derby car into the races.

Future concerns

Kate: When will I go to college?

Dad: When you're 18.

K: Will they have cereal? Because I can't live without cereal.

Kate's construction

Kate: This is like the one in Egypt.

Panning for Gold

Long ago I held hostage the photo journal of one of our adventures. Not wanting to waste a day out of school, I planned a day trip for us to Dahlonega...a beautiful North Georgia gold rush town. Yes, there was actually a gold rush in Georgia before the California Gold Rush. So, I am releasing the photos from captivity to share with you.

Kate's declaration

[Regarding her two remaining front teeth, not the two that have already vacated the premises.]

"They're not loose, but they are amazing."

A couple of Kate-isms

(The following dialogues took place within minutes of each other, Christmas Eve 2007.)

Kate (at the dinner table): Do you know what's gross?
Dad: What's that?
Kate: 'kay, don't throw up about this [pauses to make sure we brace ourselves]
Kate: …sheep brains.

(Toward the close of dinner, Andy has cleared his plate and Kate, in typical fashion, still has some left.)
Kate: Andy, I have a present for you and it doesn't go in a box. [She then unceremoniously dumps the contents of her plate on Andy's]

Kate update

Our favorite five-year-old continues to delight us with her intelligence, wit, and looks. Ever recognizable by her oh-so-cute hairstyle, Kate is also a classy dresser. She is doing great in Kindergarten and, as a true sign of developing maturity, loves her dad. I've extracted a prolonged promise that Kate will still love her dad in ten years. At this time, Kate notes, dad will be "really old." That smarts, especially the emphasis she puts on the word 'really.'


Kate playing in New York City with her cousin Kyran.


Kate enjoying the parade and, more immediately, central park and her brother, Andy. They had a ball.


Finally getting into the true spirit of New York, Kate sulks on a city street feet from a hot dog vendor. $4 for a dog at Columbus Circle? What do I look like, a tourist? Forget it!