MAYA (aka SNOW WHITE)

Maya is a four (or five) year old who comes to our building on Tuesdays and Fridays to stay with her grandparents. We meant to connect with her some time ago, but since Bella doesn't usually get out of school until 6 p.m. - there hasn't been much overlap between the two of them. That all changed one Friday (when school ends at 5 p.m.) and we came home to find Maya and her grandmother, Gerri, in the lobby of the building. Maya was dressed as a ballerina and doing some dance moves.

Bella wanted to join in naturally, and we quickly went up to change into her ballerina outfit. The result was the first of a series of Friday afternoon dance parties in the lobby. Bella and Maya (and sometimes Caleb or Carson) dance up a storm to demo music on my Casio SK-5, or a radio, or random instruments. There is a lot of running around, twirling, and falling. It's all in good fun. and most of the residents here love to stop and watch and comment before heading in or out.

A week ago, the dance party turned into a picnic on the sidewalk outside. The girls ate a snack, swung around in circles on the awning poles and made alarmed bird sounds (for some reason).














It's nice to have friends built into our building, so playdates are easier. We have a standing Friday night playdate/dinner/move with Caleb and his parents now.

BELLA'S FIRST JOKE

At breakfast the other morning, the three of us started talking about jokes. Bella's dad was put on the spot and asked to tell some, of which he knows about three clean enough for three-year-olds (or really anyone for that matter). Afterward, Bella's mommy asked her to tell a joke. She did.

"What animal went pee pee on the toilet stool?"

"A snake!"

Or something very close to that. It was really funny at the time.

GRADUATION TIME

Bella's dad finished his one-year masters program at teachers College last week. As part of the festivities, Izzy & Bud joined Bella in New York City for a few days and Uncle Reid came up from D.C. There was much eating - including with Nunya & Nana at Carmine's! - and a martini party in which Bella's dad wore his grey suit (but Bella had to try the jacket on first).

SHE"S BACK!

Been too long! And been busy, but that's no excuse to Bella's family and friends far and wide. So here are some recent shots of her doing the dress up schtick. She found her favorite ski goggles again!














Also, maybe you can see some of her recent artwork on the wall behind her tie-dyed sweatshirt (courtesy of Aunt Lisa). Bella enjoys typing now, creating full or half pages of letters and numbers and symbols. She's even learned how to change their colors!