ps. Sixer

Vivian and Evan,

As you know, today is your Mom and my sixth wedding anniversary. We thought you should both know that you have made our marriage and our lives richer in more ways we can ever describe. But if it wasn't for you brats we'd be sitting and sipping wine and chocolate cake somewhere in southern Europe this very moment. No - we (mostly) don't hold it against you.

Love

Sixer

Vivian and Evan,

Your mother and I were married six years ago today. She's put up with me for six years ("and more" as she reminded me this morning). Like in cricket so in life, a sixer is a pretty darn exciting. Not the pinnacle or the end. But a great way to get started on a half century and more.

The deal was cemented the day before Valentine's Day earlier that year. I persuaded Jo to go with me to beautiful Cibolo Creek Ranch located between Marfa and Presidio for a "vacation". We took the Texas Eagle / Sunset Limited combo and landed in Alpine where the rental agent met us at the Amtrak Station with our car. By the time I turned off Highway 67, it was so dark and empty that Jo thought I was out of my mind. We were the only inhabitants of the ranch that night - they left the front door open for us.

The next morning the desert was an amazing sight. During the night an ice storm had come through and covered the cacti and desert scrub with a layer of ice. In the morning, there was thick fog everywhere. Between the fog and the ice it looked like someone had painted the desert white. Jo and I took a walk to a small valley where a spring bubbled out of the desert. By the time we got there, the sun was beginning to poke through the fog and the ice on the leafless trees sparkled like diamonds. I got down on one knee and fumbled around in my pockets. I asked your mother and she said yes and I slipped the ring on her finger. She made a comment that Hell or at least Big Bend had to freeze over before the two of us agreed to be married. And it wasn't until a few days later that Grandma Carol told us that I had put the ring on Jo's wrong hand.

Anyway Vivian, about eight months after that we were married and about two and half years later you came along. And almost three years after that Evan joined us. I'll save the story of how I found the right ring for another anniversary.

I never thought I would ever be married. That's because I couldn't imagine waking up next to the same person for the rest of my life. And now I can't imagine not waking up next to Jo every morning. And thanks to you Evan, a couple more times every night. Dearest Jo - thanks for everything and looking forward to many many more happy anniversaries.

Half a Year

Tomorrow Evan will be six months old (he was born the day of the Deepwater Horizon explosion).

He's changing in front of my eyes. Last month Jo went to visit Vicky. I didn't see the kids for the better part of a week. When they returned I felt like I hadn't laid eyes on Evan for a month. And then I was gone to India for a week earlier this month. In spite of frequent skype-ing, it was a shock to see how much he had changed when I returned.

Yesterday he's speech was mostly a stream of vowel sounds. Today he chatted in consonant filled babble and modulated his voice.

The lad likes to eat as much as he likes to talk. It really pains him to see us all eat while he sits empty handed. The other day we went to Musashino. Evan got more and more agitated as he watched Vivian and me slurp our Miso soup and Jo chomp down tempura crabs. Eventually we had to give him empty edamame shells to suck on just so we could finish the meal. That taught us a lesson. Now Jo carries all kinds to goodies that he can slobber on (cut peaches, carrots and bagels are usually good) while we eat.

where's my breakfast

Wish you a happy half year birthday little guy and may you soon have teeth.

Whatever

Kids these days speak like adults. Really.

When we were having brunch with Jen a couple of weeks ago, Jen asked Vivian something. Vivian started her reply with "Unfortunately...".

Last week Vivian asked me if I had found any snakes in the garage and followed it up with a story about snakes "When I looked up in Grandma's house I assumed the strings were snakes". I don't think I used "assumed" in a sentence till I has at least three times her age.

One morning before school Jo did Vivian's hair with a clip. After inspecting herself in the mirror, she airily announced "Daddy I look like a high school girl. Are you taking me to school?" When I enquired why I should drop her off at school, she replied "Because I look so pretty".

This afternoon she had this sour look on her face. I said "Vivian - are you not happy about something?" She snapped back "That's just how my face is". Ouch.

Jo is stimulating the economy - Fedex and UPS combined for four trips to our home today. Vivian collected up all the cardboard boxes in the kitchen and made her "home". She settled down amongst the cardboard and invited Evan and me to join: "Daddy, Evan - come hang with me".

While getting her ready for bed, Vivian ended up in the corner. Here's how it happened:

Me: "Vivian - get ready for bed now."

Vivian: "Yeah - whatever."

Me: "Don't whatever me."

Vivian: "OK - whatever."