Max and Esme

Last week Esme's pre-school class performed a play called "The little rabbit who liked to say Moo!" The kids represented all kinds of animals and each of them had a line to say. The short play was bookended by songs about animals and the parents were invited to have snacks afterward, including a barn shaped cake that the kids had baked and decorated. Esme was a baby duck, replete with feathers, and delivered her line with minimal prompting. We'll have another play later this spring - Max's class is performing "The Three Piggy Opera" and Max has been chosen to be the narrator.

Max has started book four of the Harry Potter series. Uncle Rob loaned him his copy and Max proudly carries around the 4 inch thick hardcover whereever he goes. Give him a five minute car ride or a free ten minutes at home and he has a book open. I wonder where he got that trait from? (The photo credit goes to Rob.)

I had company today as Max joined me for our annual company Bring Your Child to Work day event. He sat opposite me on the train in, reading his book and enjoying his Starbucks just like every other commuter. (In Max's case it was a vanilla steamer, not a coffee!) He's had a structured day in the office, with a break for lunch and a trip to the playground. And I think there's cake and ice-cream waiting for me in a few minutes. Yum...what a good day!

Esme (this morning, out of the blue): Encyclopedia. I know what encyclopedia means. It means Google.

I was in London for a few days last week and the kids had the week off too. Max has perfected bike riding (in his own mind) and is reading Harry Potter (he's on book three.) Esme is trying to convince me that her new name is Princess Aurora. The Swensons visited for the weekend. The kids got along very well - Max and Connor spent most of a rainy Saturday playing computer games, Rya was very patient with Esme who is two years younger. Everyone was happy to have a sleepover party and to use the sleeping bags. The Easter Bunny delivered baskets for the children during the night and we hosted an egg hunt in the backyard for our guests and neighbors. It was great to spend some time with Scott and Deena - we shared a couple of lovely dinners and a lot of laughs.