Kaka

Uncle Mikey (that's what the kids call him) brought his dog, Samson, up from South Carolina for the holidays. He and Caleb became fast friends chasing each other up and down Martha's hallway.

Caleb stands at one end and yells, "Kaka!" (his version of "dog"). Samson, a Rottweiler of considerable heft, responds by sprinting from the other end and skidding to a stop inches before trampling the poor kid. They kiss...yes, on the mouth, exchange toys and repeat.

Maddie eventually warmed up to Samson as well and the game transformed into a three-way chase around the dining room table with joyful screaming all the while.

Bright Horizons

Periodically, the kids ride the train (the "T" in Boston vernacular) with me to work and I drop them off at the Bright Horizons Day Care center across the street from my office. Today was such a day. We traversed the snow to the T stop and boarded. Caleb, for his part, could not stop yelling "Choo-choo" at the top of his lungs for the duration of the 20 minute ride in crowded quarters.

After a switch to a bus for the final leg and ascending with much fanfair three escalators ("exeluters" in Maddie speak) we arrived at the Center. "Daddie, I love Bright Horizons," Maddie declared. "But you can't bring me every day, only on special days. OK?" OK.

Morning Routine

5:00 a.m.--Caleb moans, not softly. I ignore, not easily. Moans continue.
5:15 a.m.--I go to Caleb's room. "Car," he says pointing to the door. I take him into our bed and he falls into a restless sleep on my chest.
5:45 a.m.--Caleb sits in our bed. "Car," he yells pointing to the door.
5:50 a.m.--Caleb watches Cars and enjoys his one-minute microwaved milk. I doze on the couch.

Repeat daily.

Santa's House

We went for a Christmas light drive last Saturday and found on Jamaica Plain Way a home to rival the Griswold's. I was curious as to the carbon footprint of the place. Maddie and Caleb were, of course, fully absorbed. Candles, candy canes, trains, Winnie the Pooh, and on top, Santa Clause. "Is this Santa's house?" Maddie asked. "Yes."

One small step...

My first blog...It's not quite walking on the moon, but it feels pretty cool. With a few quick clicks of the mouse I am thrust into the cyber-stream. I have been recalcitrant, but am now fully participant in the 21st century. Hello, and thanks for having me.