Jake's Special Night

We reserved our babysitter tonight to take Jake to see some local fireworks. But after some heavy rain this afternoon, and the prospect of wet carnival rides and muddy fields, he decided he preferred to go downtown for a special night out with Mommy and Daddy. He had such a great time, as did we. He loved the toystore, the grown up snack and ice cream sitting outside listening to a guitar player as it got dark, running up and down the mall admiring the lights in the trees, and tasting his first chocolate and banana crepe. But most of all, he loved the undivided attention from both parents, all night, and he was absolute laughing delight from start to sleepy finish, in bed now around 10.

How nice it is to find you have given your child exactly what he needs! Here's my lovely, happy boy!
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Happiness is...

... a 25 cent ice pop at the pool.
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A Lazy Fourth

Sandpies, cushion buildings in the den, and a nice picnic lunch at Pleasant Grove. We had a very mellow fourth...

Didi Speaks: Right? Right.

Found this on my blackberry the other day. Jake's Didi is such a ham!

Career Plans

(driving along a country road with Abby and Jake. Abby is singing to herself in light 18 month old babble.)

Jake: Mommy, Abby's going to be a dancer when she grows up.

Me: That's interesting, honey. Why do you think so?

Jake: Because she really likes to dance, and to sing. She loves it.

Jake (louder): Abby - do you want to be a DANCER? Abby - do you want to be a DANCER?

Abby: OH! (her latest interjection that means, yes, or I like what you're saying.)

Me: What about you Jake? Do you know what you what to be when you grow up? Or maybe you're not sure yet?

Jake: No, I don't know.

(Pause)

Jake: Actually, I'm going to help Abby be a dancer. And Abby and me will live in our house forever.

Picnicking at Pl. Grove

Got lots of pix to share. Will post some placeholders and try to fill in more pix later. This is from a picnic last week, the kids and me.
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Speaking at Duke

Someone took pictures at my conference at Duke last week and I got some of me pontificating...




The poses are a little strange, no? I'm holding the slide clicker but have no idea why my hand is on my butt. Funnily, all the people speaking were making odd gestures in the pix. I like the middle one as it shows two of my colleagues there. Matt is on the left, the current director of the Center at Fuqua that I'm part of, and Greg is on the right, the Center's founder and my research partner. They are all wonderful people and the week with them and other friends and colleagues was a delight. They even took us out one night to see some modern ballet at the brand new performance hall in Durham. I put on a slinky black dress and was not overdressed! (Ok, so actually it was a leftover maternity dress, but it does not look like one and I was able to eat dinner without worrying about splitting a seam!) I also connected and re-connected with some wonderful women colleagues, from NYC, London and Singapore. Totally charming.

The fam all did fine here, though Mike was quite worn out when I got home. I took the kids out to the pool most of the day Sat to give him a break and we had a blast! I've got some very happy water babies!! No pix of that day - my hands were on Abby the fish the entire time.

With Jake at the Beach