I spent this evening at the Anderson house, before I fly home to Corning, New York tomorrow with Dad. I want to tell you that Maren and Greta are just the most truly awesome and lovely people, and I had so much fun with our family tonight. They are oh-so grown up—both taller than me now! They are smart and fun and witty and kind and I am so proud of them. I have...

When Maren was just shy of two, I found her like this: I still remember her deer-in-headlights look as I busted her.  She knew she was being naughty, but couldn’t help herself.  The offending instrument in this case was not a marker, or Sharpie, or paint.  My Maren got into my mascara, and, as an observant little booger, tried to put it on in the eye region,...

Since Greta turned about six months old, it has been necessary to sing to her so that she will hold still for diaper changes.  If there is no singing there is much flailing.  Flailing and poop is a bad combination, people.  Bad. Other parents seem to have children who lay quietly on their backs and coo softly and eat their vegetables and play independently and hold...

Greta.  Oh my.  How to sum up that girl these days is quite the challenge. In the morning she immediately wants to know, “Where Maren?  Where Daddy?”  She is so social and always wants to know where her people are. She inspires me to start my day with that much enthusiasm. Today I was trying to do the dishes, and unload the dishwasher.  I was being...

Last week I found myself sitting across from my favorite five-year-old at Starbucks. I had some computering I needed to do, and Brad was home while Greta napped.  When Brad is not home, I would normally set Maren up with an activity or a movie while I did my “work,” but on this day I suggested that we leave the house and go to Starbucks together and...

Three months ago, Greta would babble in her crib, read books, and play with her baby dolls when she woke up.  Eventually she would blurt out, “Mom!  Mom!”  when she wanted to get out. These days, however, she awakes with a start and immediately starts yelling, “I want out!  I want out!”  She knows that she is missing something and she...