So much to say, and the time is getting short before classes start back and life shifts back into high gear. These are some of the anecdotes that stand out from the summer. There have been many, so I’m sure I’ll miss some.
Trip to Washington, Part I.
Lots of swimming at the hotel, and lots of delicious food at Kit & Brad’s, for starters. We took a trip to a park just north of National Airport, where we got buzzed by dozens of planes taking off and landing.
Lindsay still talks about it. Seriously. We also had a fun time taking her to the Natural History and Air & Space museums for the first time. I think she thought we were actually going to ride in a rocket. When we didn’t ‘blastup,’ I think she was a little bummed out. The classic line from the trip came on the ride home: “No honey, you need to finish your licorice first.” It came in response to repeated requests for more gum or pretzels or en-in-ems (M&M’s).
First trip to the movies
Tickets for 2 adults, 1 child to see the Pixar hit, Cars… $18.00
1 Large popcorn, 1 Coke, 1 bag of M&M’s (see above)… $13.00
Spending time with your kid at the movies… about $1.00 per minute
Yeah, that’s right, we made it about 30 min before she was bored and wanted to take a hike. The popcorn was not wasted, rest assured.
Current Reading Lists
Jenn: Between Parent and Child, Organic Disciplemaking, What’s So Amazing About Grace
Chris: The End of Poverty , Between Parent and Child, The Search
Lindsay: Bulldozers, Digger, What Happens to a Hamburger, A Mouse in the House
First Dentist Visit
For some kids, the first visit to the dentist is an unpleasant experience, fraught with anxiety and fear. Not ours. I guess that’s what happens when Mommy reads umpteen books with the little camper starting six months before the visit, huh? That evening, still reflecting on the experience, Lindsay pegged it when she said, “My teeth feel slippery.” Can you tell from the photo that she loved it? So reserved.
The Princess Party
Oh, where to start with the Princess Party. In my estimation it was far and away the social event of the season. The invitations were handcrafted by The Queen. Jewels. Semi-precious stones. Silver gilding. They succeeded in attracting an assembly of princesses the likes of which the world has never seen. The Cake was also handcrafted by The Queen, and to call it a work of culinary art would be too modest, I’m afraid. The Cake 
was Cinderella, who never looked more radiant herself — Walt D himself would have swooned. As the King, I was head of castle construction. Five fridge boxes and a box of cardboard rivets produced a serviceable castle, if I say so myself. It was exquisitely decorated by all of the princesses using the finest water-based coloring wands.
Swim Lessons
Learning to kick legs and splash, doing the alligator crawl in the baby pool, and the pièce de résistance, jumping in without holding hands. Actually, the best part of the lesson is probably watching Lindsay’s (slightly) older friend Meila hold her hand and make sure she does what the teachers ask. Too darn cute.
11th Anniversary in Cleveland
After checking several reputable websites about proper anniversary gifts for the 11th year, I concluded that Cleveland would fit the bill. Actually, that’s not how it happened. Jenn searched and searched and found out about a kool koncert in kleveland kalled the kuyahoga fest. 
So she took me to see two of my favorite bands, The Flaming Lips and Death Cab for Cutie, along with some kool new bands like The Secret Machines, Sonic Youth, and Wolfmother. They were all excellent, but The Flaming Lips definitely stole the show — it was a total party. The next day we hit the Rock Hall of Fame, where we were both creeped out by the personal artifacts of rock stars who died too young. Something about seeing a Christmas card that little Jim Morrison made for his Mom was too much I guess. Then it was over to one of my favorite breweries, Great Lakes. Mmmm…
Trip to Washington, Part II.
Lindsay’s very first cousin arrived on July 27, so we had to go back to greet Mason Gray Wolverton. Adorable is such an understatement, trust me. This time Grammy got to watch videos in the van with Lindsay, and from the sound of things, she really enjoyed Dave and the Giant Pickle the best. More swimming in the hotel, but this time we had to find a toy store to fulfill a promise. We told Lindsay that she got to pick out any toy she wanted when she pooped on the potty. She sanctified Kit & Brad’s toilet as The Chosen One, and it is now a Holy Throne. Feel free to stop by and make an offering anytime.