Lucy Revisited

When Vivian was less than a year old we went to see Lucy who was on an extraordinary visit to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. At 3.2 million years old, Lucy isn't human but close.

Historians and scientists assumed that human were the first animals to make tools. The oldest tools are crude stones called chopping tools found in Africa and have been dated back to 2.6 million years. The oldest member of our genus, homo, can be traced back to about that time. When Alu and I were in our early teens there was this beautifully bound coffee table book at home - "The Last 2 Million Years". We thumbed through it all the time. Nothing has changed much since that book was published. Things were settled.

Then a few years ago, a team of American archeologists on a field trip to Kenya took a wrong turn on a dry river bed as American tourists often do and discovered something. Their work was finally revealed at a meeting of paleontologists last month and published in Science. The oldest tools are now decidedly older - about 3.3 million years old.

So either tool making predates humans. Lucy and her friends were smarter than they look. Or there are older human fossils waiting to be discovered by some poor American who is directionally challenged.

Unless you are a creationist, this is literally a case of having to rewrite history books. Like the excellent one I am reading - Neil MacGregor's "A History of the World in 100 Objects". Object No. 2 is the Olduvai stone chopping tool and it's write-up will require some revision.

But my favorite object so far is another tool. We made more of it than any other tool. We probably may not have survived as a species without it. Not the iPhone. That has been around for 8 years. This tool remained the leading edge of technology for more than a million years. It is Object No. 3, the Olduvai handaxe. It is a much nicer and newer tool than the chopping tool. People started making this kind of handaxe a mere 1.5 million years back and we took it with us when we moved out of Africa to every part of the Old World. Amazing.

It is also amazing that Vivian and I can chat about this.

Telenovela Queen

Vivian and I don't mix well when there's homework in the air. For instance the other morning when she discovered that she still had one side of a page of math homework left and settled down at the kitchen to finish it before school. I walked by and looked over her shoulder and thought she had made a mistake, but as it was in Spanish I couldn't be sure.

"Vivian - can you read the question out aloud and check your answer?"

Daggers jumped from her eyes to assail me. Silence.

"Vivian?"
"Uuuh"

Big eye roll. Flop head into her own waiting arms.

"You can't read one line of Spanish?"

Vivian walks slowly and deliberately to the dining table and picks up a napkin and dabs tears from her eyes. Other dramatic gestures follow, along with much expelling of air. Jo rushes to her rescue. But no Spanish ensues, so I give up . Perhaps it is challenging for her to read Spanish in the morning. Or I'm wasting my money on this bilingual education crap.

Later that afternoon I walk into the money-sucking time-wasting bilingual school to pick Vivian up. Her teacher is walking her class out towards the carpool area. She's smiling a 1000 watt smile and waving some papers in her hand in my direction. She says "Hola". I say "Hello" as coldly as I can because I'm still mad that Vivian can't read a line of Spanish.

"Today was one of my best days". Her eyes glisten as the memories of whatever had made it a great day make her tear up.

"Oh - why?"
"Because of what your daughter wrote"
"I don't know what you are talking about..."

"This is her writing assignment from today. I told them to write a story. It could be about anything. This is what Vivian wrote." And she starts reading from the paper in her hand...

"Today started just like any other day at The Magellan International School, but in Class 2B..."

I still don't understand. Why is Vivian writing in English for a writing assignment in Ms. Mara's class? Then Mara slows down and has the hesitant look when people are searching for a word in a foreign language. That's when I peer down at the paper and see that I can't read it because it's all in Spanish. Three pages of closely written cursive in Vivian's handwriting.

Vivian was standing aside shyly looking for my reaction. I bend down and she rushes in for a hug. And Ms. Mara too. 

God

This is a photo of Evan from Puerto Rico during Spring Break a couple of months ago. He's grown up so much since then it's scary.

He has started reading. When Vivian went through this phase I'd pull her leg and say she was speaking Whale (from Finding Nemo). It is Tuesday after Memorial Day and Evan and I are at Whole Foods sitting and chowing down on noodles that the flooding had denied us the day before. He isn't at school because his face looks like ass with a bunch of mysterious bug bites from Saturday's camping trip.

"Suuus"
"Taaiin"
"Aaab"
"Bbiliiii"
"Tie"

All in slow motion with his mouth open in an "o" shape - which is why it's really like Whale.

"Dad - what did I just read?"
"I don't know - where did you read it from?"
"Over there - above the fishes"

I look behind me back towards the fish department. "Oh -  you just read 'sustainability'". And so it goes on and on. On the way back,

"Dad - there's a giant ant on the window"
"Like bigger than the car?"
"No - but bigger than a normal ant"
"What is it doing?"
"It's walking around and making a pattern with it's walking. Look at what pattern it just made."
"I can't Evan. I'm driving."
"Oh - it just made a 'M' pattern"
"Now what is it doing?"
"It made an 'O' pattern"
"May be it's trying to tell you something"
"Yes - it just said 'Mow the grass'"

Then, just as suddenly,

"Dad - I changed my mind about what I want to be when I grow up"
"What do you want to be?"
"I still want to be a scientist and a dad and a cook. But I also want to be a snail trainer and guard"
"Oh - why a snail trainer?"
"I want to train a snail to ride a bike"
"That's going to be hard - snails don't have hands or feet"
"That's why I'm going to have to wait till I grow up"

Later I am telling this to Jo. And he corrects me.
"Not guard, Daddy. Guard"
"Like a prison guard?"
"No. Guard!"

He is agitated. I'm not getting it. I look at Vivian who helps translate Evan often.

"God" she says, without looking up from her book.
"Oh. You want to be God?"
"Yes - like in the movie we saw"

We had seen Disney's take on Hercules a few days ago on Netflix. Evan wants to grow up and be Zeus. And a snail trainer.

Conversations

I was driving the fam somewhere. Evan said "What the". It's a habit we are trying to break - he's picked up from his buddies at school.

Jo: "Evan, stop that."
Evan: "Why?"
Jo: "Because it's short for a grown up phrase that you shouldn't use"
Vivian: "Which one?"
Jo: "It's like saying WTF"
Evan: "WTF! WTF! My friends say that"
Vivian: "Mom, what's WTF?"
Jo: "What the fuck"
Vivian: "Oh"

Silence.

Evan: "My friends say that too!"

Memorial Day Rain

After a Saturday night and Sunday that was less than perfect, Monday was a good day to stay close to home. There was still plenty of rain in the forecast. The Blanco River had risen 28 feet in Wimberley in an hour last night and had washed off a few homes with people in them. Closer to home, I went to Central Market and the park where the kids play was a disaster. 

So was my head. I was beginning to think that this couldn't all be a hangover and maybe I had come down with something but Jo was having none of it. The kids chilled and colored each other's faces with grease pencils. I cooked Bangla comfort food - red snapper maach bhaja and musoor dal. Jo walked to Upper Crust for a meeting. It started raining. 

Over the next four hours it rained slightly more than five inches. Jo and the kids organized their toys and filled several boxes of toys to give away. I sat and stared into space and tried not to move or tax my brain and swore never to drink again if this was how it was going to make me feel two days later. And marveled at how much it was raining. The street outside was a river. 

When it stopped raining we got into the car and drove down to our little wooden bridge. The neighborhood streets were swarming with people and kids. Like ants after a downpour, we were all outside, gawking at the creeks. Then we drove a couple of blocks down to Shoal Creek. It had subsided by at least six feet judging from the debris but it was still a raging mess.

Evan and Vivian wanted Whole Foods noodles for dinner. We started heading in that direction and Jo started getting videos from Jen that showed parts of Austin underwater. By the time we got to Lamar, it was obvious that Shoal Creek had done some damage. We passed a couple of cars that looked like they had floated off the street. There were tree trunks and debris everywhere. Up ahead the road was closed. We turned around and settled for EZ's for dinner. The local news was on. Shoal Creek had indeed flooded it's banks into Lamar between Pease Park and Whole Foods. Goodwill (now in the original flood-prone Whole Foods location), Shoal Creek Cafe, and Whole Earth Provision Co apparently had over six feet of water flowing in them. The Fire department had rescued several people by boat.  An epic Memorial Day weekend of storms.

Storm Camping

I look at two weather forecasts - the National Weather Service and Weather Underground (which uses an independent fine grained data collection network). Both the NWS and WU predictions were dire for Central Texas for Memorial Day weekend. Thundershowers and several inches of rainfall. Conditions ripe for tornadoes and flash flooding. 

So we went camping on Saturday morning after a good breakfast.

This is our new REI half Dome 4. The new family casa. Compared to what other people pitched it was modest. The kids set it up. I put the rain fly on top, ready to be pulled into place if needed. We are at a friend's farm near Rosanky, Texas. It is just beautiful.

About 60 adults and kids showed up. Many had spent the previous night there and in spite of dire predictions it hadn't rained a drop. But it felt more like entering a game of Russian Roulette half way. And a bit later it did rain. The kids got wet and played through it. We drank and watched. The showers passed. We went fishing. And drinking. Jo took a nap in the tent.

After dark the kids watched Big Hero 6 projected on a bed sheet hung in a covered pavilion. Then the serious rain came. The kitchen floor flooded. We thought of leaving but I couldn't find my car keys. I started searching in the rain. A few people left for Austin. Evan threw up. Someone found Jo a couple of foam pads to put down in the pavilion and I got the sleeping bags. Kids and a few families turned in. A few others trooped off to their tents in the steady pouring rain. No wind - just rain coming straight down and very hard. I flopped down in the tent.

It rained all night. At dawn it finally stopped raining and I started looking for my car keys again. The kids had been bitten by something at night - their faces were bumpy and red. None of the adults - just the kids. The kitchen was operational and we ate freshly made breakfast tacos. Evan had thrown up at night and now again. People packed up and started leaving. I called a locksmith in Austin. It took him a couple of hours to get there. He tried for 30 seconds and then said that the car had a "high security key" and neither he nor most locksmiths would be able to help and turned around and left.

Tucker needed to get a second car back to Austin from the farm, so he lent it to us. Just as we were packing to leave a parent called from Austin to say that they had found my car keys in their truck. They had left last night during the storm. We drove back to Austin in Tucker's minivan, exhausted. I was dirty, wet, sick, and ridiculously hung over. Jo was tired, thrown up on, sleep deprived, and miserable. Evan had finally stopped throwing up and was insisting that he was hungry. And Vivian was shocked when I told her that we were going back to Austin - "Why can't stay here longer?"

We got back home and realized that rain and high winds had ravaged the area just across the street from Rosedale. Huge oaks in Central Market had been ripped and shredded. Further west, the Blanco river had flooded and killed several people. Though it was too late to get to New Braunfels for Quinn, Devyn and Kai's conformation due to our car key fiasco, Nicolle told us that the interstate was closed due to flooding. 

Thanks to Gunaraja, I didn't have to drag Jo and the kids back to Rosanky, but I spent the rest of the day picking up keys, driving back to Rosanky, getting the car, and dropping off the Tucker's van - all in hungover slow mo. 

Mom Gone

Since Mother's Day Sunday a couple of weekends ago Jo has mostly been with Carol who had a knee replaced. Happy to report that Carol has done really well and is on the path to recovery.

Meanwhile the kids and I have been left to our devices with scheduled visits from Jo - "Mom's going to come to see you at the gym but she's going to leave next morning". Like I'm married to a high flying executive or politician who swoops in periodically. Or being a single parent without the hassle of a divorce.

Jo is the one who keeps this family honest. You really need to wake up at 6:45am to leave the house at 7:45. Laundry needs to be done every so many days to ensure an adequate supply of school uniforms. When it's too late to start cooking dinner you go out. So we had to recycle yesterday's school shirts in the dryer. And the kids are eating curried shrimp and grilled ribeye for dinner that is served too late and we are pulling pranks on each other twenty four hours a day. And hanging out at parks as often as the weather allows.

A few months ago, Jo and I were struggling to get the kids ready. It was a fight to get them out the door in the morning or to get them to pick up after themselves and into bed in the evening. So we started a new system. We gave them a fake dollar if they got ready in time in the morning. After a few days we refined that to two fake dollars each if both ready were on time, and that got them helping each other. Fake dollars would be exchangeable for real money at some undecided exchange rate.

The amazing thing is how quickly and effectively their behavior changed. Most days no fake money is actually handed out. They have not asked for the exchange rate. Gamification works.

So even with Jo gone, the system held. We got to school on time. Homework got done. Library books are being returned. And the house isn't a disaster.

But Jo came home last week. Life is good again.

To Be Precise

Evan is into preciseness and being literal.

For instance the other day when we were walking into Vivian's school he told his friends "I'm with my Aunt Michelle". Later Alu grumbled that Evan had introduced Aunt Michelle and not him. "I feel like chopped liver" he said.

"I didn't introduce Aunt Michelle"
"Yes, you did - just an hour ago"
"No"

Evan can deny with more conviction and certainty that anyone else I know. So I pressed on.

"Evan - what did you tell your friends when we walked into Vivian's school?"
"Oh - I told them I was with Aunt Michelle."
"See - so you introduced her."
"No - I just told them I was with her. I didn't introduce her."

Or like the time Michelle asked him if he was going to be in the same school as Vivian next year.

"I'm going to be in the same campus as Vivian. I'm already in the same school as her."

He does something else well. If you've told him something before, even if he fully disregarded it then, don't tell him again. He'll throw both hands up in the air like an old Italian man and say "I know! You already told me." 

Ten More Years

Two events of historical significance took place this week. Essy graduated from high school and Evan again ate too much cake too quickly (while Rajeeta turned 50).

That's three generation of Lamb ladies in one photo. Many of my friends' children are in college, but Essy is the one that I remember the most clearly from when she was a baby. So there's no denying that she must be incredibly smart to have finished school so quickly because that was just the other day and I've hardly aged (unlike Rajeeta who, did I mention, just turned 50).

Congratulations Essy. Happy birthday Rajeeta. Oh, and Vivian is the Class of 2025. Just 10 more years!! 

Rainy Street

It's been raining in Austin. Which is novel and good for the almost empty lakes and the flora and fauna. But it makes the kids stir crazy. So when it stopped raining at 730pm the other evening the kids jumped on their scooters and we went off for a quick trip outside. In this photo we are going down a pretty steep hill. Our objective is the little wooden bridge at the end of the street - it's fun to see the water rushing by in the creek below. Evan is controlling his speed by hanging low and dragging one foot on the sidewalk. He did really well till he spilled at the bottom of the hill.

We are going camping this weekend - with a 100% chance of rain. You can see Vivian trying out the new REI Half Dome (my old one served us for 25 years!). She and Evan have been practicing pitching the tent by themselves. They have been sleeping in it (in the middle of our bedroom) for the last two nights.

Belt Testing

Belt testing isn't a spectator sport - kids jumping around doing moves badly. But since Vivian has started sparing it's been more fun. She and her good friend were paired to spar and though they both kicked and punched fiercely they also blocked and ducked really well. So it looks like Vivian is about to take Major's head off here but I'm pretty sure she didn't connect. Afterwards they got into trouble because they were laughing. I like that they can fight hard and laugh even harder.

Meanwhile Evan never cracked a smile while breaking the requisite number of boards. Though he was very excited to be promoted. 

Mothers' Day

We celebrated on Saturday instead of waiting till Sunday. The Mothers were plied with mimosas till it was time for lunch. After that three Mothers got to cut their combined birthday cake (the "6" was the only candle in the house) and the fourth had her special Upper Crust strawberry rhubarb pie.

On Sunday morning we did the usual pilgrimage to Sweetie's Donuts and then went to the dam. The kids climbed a lovely old oak overlooking Canyon Lake while Jo took Carol's old knees for one last walk on the dam (it's not what you are thinking, she's just getting her old knees replaced).  

Uncle Alu and Aunt Michelle

I take a lot of photos of the kids. But during Uncle Alu and Aunt Michelle's recent visit to Austin, this is the best I have: Crazy helping Michelle read, and a box of chocolates from Sweenor's of Wakefield (the kids got their own box).

Alu and Michelle spoiled the kids who took them to Tera Toys to shop for belated birthday gifts. It was a short visit and Alu and I didn't get a lick of work done but we drank a 29 year old whiskey one night and a 21 the next (combined, they are as old as me!). 

Sailing

A week on a Fountaine Pajot 41 in the Bahamas.
Great time.
Kids who?

The First Part of Last Weekend

Last Friday - no, the Friday before last - we started the weekend off by meeting Vivian's classmates at Central Market for a playdate after school. They spent a few minutes on the playscape and then looked for turtles, explored rain water sewers, climbed trees and generally had a great time. Happy to say that Evan hung with the older boys pretty well.

And on Saturday morning we went and saw Quinn play tennis at a tournament at the Balcones Country Club. We left after lunch after Quinn was awarded one of his many medals of the day but not before the kids went back for seconds and then thirds for cookies.

That night when we put the kids to bed I hugged them especially tight because I wouldn't be seeing them for a whole week. Then I started doing laundry in preparation of a very early flight on Sunday morning.

Birthday Party Again

Evan likes parties. He's already had the birthday party at home and popsicles at school. The Shah's wanted to give him his gift and so we did yet another party one evening at the Shah haveli. It was Earth Day so the kids danced to a new age Osho band singing about Mother Earth. And then stuffed their faces with Mocha Almond cake from Upper Crust - still among my favorite cakes not counting Mona's creations.

The next day I assembled one of Evan's gifts - from Ciree's parents - a motorcycle kit. Now his bike sounds like a cheap moped and he loves it!

Encore

Evan's class is doing a unit of enquiry into different forms of communications, including non verbal ones. So his teacher asked Jo if she could stage a mini encore of the talent show at Evan's campus. Which meant that Jai Ho was rolled out again and the kids did fabulously well. Again.

A. H. Rahman (the singer of Jai Ho) will be in concert in Austin in a month. I wonder if I should contact his agent and see if he needs an opening act.

Birthday Sunday

I started out in a wee bit of a hole for Jo's birthday this time. Last year Carol had come over to stay with the kids and I had surprised Jo with a trip to Montreal and Quebec. And the year before that we had all gone to Hawaii. This year I had been gone all of the last week for a fun trip of my own and had barely made it back minutes before midnight.

The birthday gift had arrived while I was gone but Jo had posted positive reviews on Facebook. Here's Evan mucking around on it on Sunday morning. We took Mommy to 24 Diner for breakfast. And then to St. Edwards park for a stroll.

On the way there,

Vivian: "Mommy - how old are you?"
Me: "She was born in Nineteen blah blah. How old does that make her?"

While Vivian is out there doing complex mathematics, Evan pipes up.

"Eighty eight"
"Nope - that's a bit much"
"Okay - how about eighty two, Mommy?"

Then I ran over to Central Market and got stuff to make chocolate dipped strawberries which were well received. Vivian ate five of them and looked like Salvador Dali. Evan on the other hand managed only two and then complained that they were too sweet and switched to plain strawberries. Soon after that Jo left for a spa appointment while I got the kids ready for Sarah. 

While Sarah managed the munchkins, we met Travis and Jen and went to Italic for dinner - which Jo had been eyeing since it opened a couple of months ago.

Now to make it through the rest of the birthday week without screwing up.