Sees Fire

O, Adrian! Adrian, O!

The two buddies were excited about spending time together watching a Major League Soccer game and meeting Dennis Haslett, head coach of the Chicago Fire.

Hug Shots

Running with fun friends

Cuddling with her fretful brother

Lassoing in a Cheetah Boy

Walt Disney Pictures

Striking a royal pose

Disney ferry

A Smile a Minute

The little guy is grinning quite a lot now, especially in the mornings.

Bringing to One's Disneys

(Sung to the tune "Heigh-Ho")

Hey O, hey O
It’s Orlando from home we go
(whistle)
Hey O, hey O, hey O

Olivia and I have the pleasure of joining her friend Lucy and her family on a trek to Walt Disney World. We traveled by their RV, which I’ll note easily eclipses all other modes of travel I’ve ever taken in terms of roominess and comfort. Obviously, it will also serve as our place of residence while at the resort. In its honor, I’ve penned another ditty à la Disney.

(Sung to the tune "Under the Sea")

In the RV
In the RV
Darling it's better
When out of the weather
Take it from me
Back at home they work all day
Out in the sun we came to play
While we are givin’
This week to livin’
In the RV

Apple Turnover

Well, not quite, but he is scooting around the bed quite a bit now.

Last-ing Memories

Today marked Olivia’s last day of preschool, where, after a false start at another place, she has attended since October 2007. As I’ve mentioned before, the thing we were most concerned about when switching schools was finding a place that couldn’t possibly crush her boundless spirit. I’m happy to report that the rambunctious, imaginative three-year-old who started there a year and a half ago graduated as a fun-loving, creative, and energetic near-five-year-old who’s ready to tackle kindergarten in the fall.

In her time there, she has made great friends (as have we, with her friends’ parents), been shepherded by a host of dedicated teachers, and dazzled – and bedazzled – us with her artistic efforts and love for the Lord. It seems fitting, therefore, that her final day was greatly shaped by those things and people.

Hanging out with friends Ava and Lucy

With Miss Leslie, director of the preschool

Receiving her certificate from Miss Barb,
one of her pre-K teachers

Waiting for the concert and ceremony to start

Memorable malaprop: The line "When my burden's heavy"
from one of their songs became "When my bird is heavy"

Band of Brothers (and Sisters)

Siblings of the familial sense joined their brothers and sisters of the worldly sense in cacophony on the landing of our basement stairs.

Classroom Observation

Olivia made like George Washington by getting an observed birthday to complement her real one. She turns five in June, but since she’ll be out of school for summer then, her teachers kindly arranged for a celebration today.

Miss Barb let Olivia pass out the treats to her classmates, which thrilled her as much as being sung to and eating her ice cream.

Nonsleep Cycle

Don’t let these pics of the sleeping babe fool you: we thought we’d caught a break with Child Number Two, but apparently we’re heading down the same road we traveled with Big Sister.

Ugh…sigh…boo hoo…yawn. Repeat.

Dumb and Dumber

As seen hanging at a local restaurant today (which happens to be Mother’s Day):


The view inside the containers compartment of a community recycling bin:

Bricks, sticks, concrete,...

...printer!

Here's the giant sign that's posted on the bin. Obviously, the above are the indiscretions of either an indolent dolt or attention-starved obstructionist. (Or maybe someone who's both.)

Feliz Día de la Madre

Because nothing says, "You're appreciated, Mom," like taking her out for Mexican food on Mother's Day.

Parenting is no walk in the park, but it's made easier when you're blessed with, as I am, a warm-hearted and passionate soul with whom to make that journey hand in hand.

Beni, your first go-round as a parent was a thing of beauty, and with the recent arrival of our highly anticipated sequel, I'm looking forward to twice as many awe-inspiring moments from you. On your first Mother's Day as a mom of two, may you know and we show our loving admiration of you.

Napshots

As rare a sighting as the ivory-billed woodpecker: Reed staying asleep while nesting on my chest.

Waiting on Her Hand and Foot

Nil-nil: the score from summers past of Olivia’s desire to play soccer versus her interest in the game.

It seems to be a whole new ballgame now that she’s being coached by our friend Beth and playing alongside her son Zacky and some other friends. With a love for the World's Game that borders on fanaticism, I am getting a kick out of seeing my child doing the kicking thing without the screaming.

Cavern on the Green

To get to Mammoth Caves National Park, one must first drive through the lush forests of Kentucky’s Green River Valley; to get on a family-friendly tour of the caves, one should navigate the U.S. National Park Services’ web site prior to the visit date to secure spots for the tour, because overlooking this detail may leave one and one’s family disappointed. (That’s just what I’ve heard.)

We took both a gander and some photos of the Historic Entrance, which is about as much as we were able to access sans tour guide. We’ll have to leave the more than 365 miles of explored cave passages for another time. If you have some vacation time this summer, think about visiting our national treasures – the National Parks. And save the September 27th date on your calendars – on that date, PBS will begin airing a new multi-part documentary by Ken Burns called National Parks: America’s Best Idea.

A Moveable Feast

Our vacations are often defined and remembered by the food we’ve consumed while away. We’re epi-curious, always seeking the next place to achieve veggie nirvana. Well, I’m happy to report and recommend a place for herbivores and carnivores alike.

If you’re within a 1,000-mile radius of Nashville, consider dining at PM, whose food nearly moved us to tears and speechlessness. They cater to a plateful of palates, specializing in burgers, sushi, and vegetarian fare. I exaggerate not (and Beni would agree), tonight’s dinner was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. We shared the PM Sushi Roll (Thai basil, peanut sauce, pickled radish, daikon, vegetables), Peanut Sauce Fondue (crispy tofu and toasted foccacia), Gyoza Pot Stickers, and the dish above, their Holy Basil and Crispy Tofu Penne (cashews, edamame, market vegetables).

(Question: what is typing’s equivalent of “speechlessness”? I want to know the name of the frame of mind I’m in.)

In honor of that person I know who loves to ask about where things fall on all-time favorite lists – Where does this bike ride rank in your top 10 of All-Time Favorite Bike Rides? Does that buffet we just housed crack your Favorite Buffets Ever? – I offer you a smorgasbord of memorable experiences in veggie dining (in list form, of course):

Favorite Vegetarian Restaurants

1. The Naam Restaurant (Vancouver, BC)
Dragon Bowl, miso gravy, sesame chips, Naam salad, shredded beets

2. Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen (Los Angeles, CA)
Mushroom Tom Kah, Jungle Curry

3. Laughing Seed Café (Ashville, NC)
Brown rice and avocado sushi, Harmony Bowl

4. Seva (Ann Arbor, MI)
Yam fries, veggie Reuben

5. Chicago Diner (Chicago, IL)
Nachos, “buttermilk” pancakes, grilled tofu sandwich, cookie dough peanut butter vegan shake

6. Inn Season Café (Royal Oak, MI)
Budapest mushroom soup, Tofu Arame

Best Meal at Veggie-Friendly Restaurants

1. PM (Nashville, TN)
See above

2. Postcards Café (Hanalei, HI)
Hanalei Taro Fritters, vegan chocolate silk

3. Cosmic Pizza (Eugene, OR)
Pomme D’Amour

Veggie Delights, These Are Not: The Rotten Veggies

1. Chowpatti International Vegetarian Cuisine (Arlington Heights, IL)
“If you do not like yelling, you are not my customers!” – our sendoff from the belligerent and intoxicated owner after we’d expressed our concerns and dismay over his treatment of his employees

2. Country Life Vegetarian Restaurant (Chattanooga, TN)
Cold, lifeless food served by cold, lifeless people.

3. Lois’ Vegetarian Haven (Berrien Springs, MI)
The food was actually good; the religious propaganda, not so much.

4. Vegetarian House (Portland, OR)
Same reason as above – see here.

5. Herbivore (San Francisco, CA)
We were expecting a San Francisco treat but got food that wasn’t much better than Rice-A-Roni.

6. Moosewood Restaurant (Ithaca, NY)
Overhyped. They need to spend less time publishing cookbooks and more time in their kitchens.

Balanced Breakfast

Olivia juggled a veritable buffet of breakfast items on her lap and car seat as we made our way to Nashville, where I’m to work a college fair tomorrow afternoon. We’ve done the Music City mix of business and pleasure before: two years ago, we paid visits to the city zoo and the hotel pool as part of a working weekend.

Made My (May) Day

Reasons why this day is worthy of celebration:

• We closed on our old house.

• May 1st is the national decision deadline for students going to college. (The collective sigh you hear is the one of relief from the students who have taken until today to make up their mind; the louder sigh in return is from us college admissions folks.)

• Our son is a month old, and our daughter is about a month away from five years (which means we’ll be eating at the Flat Top Grill a lot to take advantage of their generous kids-under-five-eat-free policy).

• We’re embarking on our first road trip as a family of four.