Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails....

At 5 months pregnancy, we found out we were having another boy, our little Elliot. When you have 1 boy and are pregnant with another, the most common reaction from people is: "Oh, were you hoping for a girl?" Add the look of pity and you've got the picture. The truth is, I feel really lucky to have 2 boys. As a child, I was pretty tom-boyish. I have never been a girly-girl, so if I had a daughter like that, I would not know what to do with her. Having a daughter would scare the bejeebus about of me. (Aside: Emma is a great part-time daughter, but the dynamics are definately different than an actual mother/daughter relationship.)

Ethan is into so many things that I am genuinely interested in, mainly dinosaurs, animals and his newest obsession Star Wars. I love reading about all of these things to him. I love digging in the dirt, playing in the snow, laughing about the word "poop", explaining why Luke can't marry Leia. You can do all of this with a daughter, I know, but there is something so fun about the wild antics of boys. Buying light sabers is cool too. May the force be with you all! -RL

Times They are A-Changin'

Elliot learned to crawl in early December at 6.5 months. I thought I had at least 1 more month before I had to chase after him! He learned to climb the stairs one day while I was getting a bowl of cereal and came to find him halfway up with a mischievous smirk on his snerk--not unlike the one in the above picture. He is growing up too fast.

"Bits and Pieces"

This Friday at 4 pm, Moorhead High School's one-act play "Bits and Pieces" will be performed at the O'Shaughnessy Theatre on the campus of the college of St. Catherine's in St. Paul as a part of the Minnesota State High School League One-act play festival. This is the fourth time in five years I have brought a group down to perform at this and the vibe is definitely pro-cities schools. If any of you live in the cities and happen to enjoy the occasional performance of quality high school theatre, Moorhead (and I) could use your love and support. It would be nice for the kids to look out in the audience and recognize faces, or even be told before hand that foreign, but friendly, faces will be gazing back. I am highly fortunate to be able to work with such committed and talented young performers. To those of you who can swing it, I'd be eternally grateful. If you can't come, but you'd like to, please send us your positive thoughts. If you need any details, please feel free to post and I'll get back to you before Friday. Thanks!--C.L.