I hate it

This Olympics poll (reprinted below) is a horrendous indicator of media coverage (partly their fault) and lowest common denominator tastes (our -- the public's -- fault) that always look for the worst. 64% pick failures.

What's been the biggest U.S. Olympic story so far?
13% Ted Ligety's gold
32% Bode Miller's failure
13% Snowboarding dominance
5% Hedrick and Cheek win golds
32% Michelle Kwan unable to compete
5% Women's hockey undefeated in pool play

Give me that Jason McElwain story any day.

A Break in the Schedule

The other day we were over at a friend's house for a special occasion: a visit from a friend we haven't seen in many years.

Yup, he has a little guy too. Angus is a few years older and possibly the most polite five-year-old ever -- how many kids that age do you know who say "ma'am" when talking to adult women? And he does it in a to-die-for Kiwi accent.

Jeff took his Rhodes stage piano back with him. Milo was born about three feet away from that thing. I'm sure it only added to the sound.


Erin and Angus ham it up for the cameras. (With Jeff in the background.)

Angus really dug the instant gratification of seeing the photo in the little viewscreen. It's never too early to give kids digital cameras. Unless they're like Milo, and just try to eat them.


Ivy, Milo, and the Dread Pirate Robert in hockey-watching garb. (Ivy took her jersey off for some reason but don't worry, she has more Canucks clothing than I do.)

Dance, Baby, Dance!

Milo likes a lot of things. He likes visiting our friends, especially ones with orange walls that look warm and cozy in the sunshine. And he likes Chloe, who's 9 and promised him that he can be the drummer in her band when he's old enough. Like, maybe, 6 or so.



Milo also likes dancing with his mommy. She's a pretty sweet dancer, boy I tell you what. I just like watching them bounce and giggle together.



Then again, he also likes waking up in the middle of the night several times and then refusing to sleep after 6:15 a.m., which I can't say I'm a fan of. It's Friday night and if I can be in bed by 10 p.m., I'll be thrilled.

Milo eats... messily

Oh well, I've been scooped on the mushy peas photo op. I don't care -- Milo loves to eat and I love to watch him.



And the peas were such a great colour on him.



Milo, say "Happy Birthday Gramma!" Happy Birthday Mom! Hope you're enjoying Thailand! (I'm so freakin' jealous...)

Milo in the Water

All right, Milo's napping and I have coffee in my hand. I've taken about five hundred photos since I actually posted some new ones up here so without further ado, the Dread Pirate Robert presents Milo's swimming lesson.


Man, this looks like the swimsuit competition. Babies, take your marks!


Aww, in the pool with Mommy. So far, so good.


Yee Haw! Daddy gets a turn. Actually, Daddy looks like he's enjoying it more than Milo. The water's a little cooler than he's used to in the tub but once he got used to it, he did okay.


Week 2 of the swimming lessons. That boy can kick, but we already knew that.


Yup, he likes the water.

The next week we didn't make it because Milo had a horrible sleep, got up late, and ended up off his schedule. By the time we were ready to go for his swim class, he really needed a nap so we bailed.

And last week, all plans were off and we rushed over to the island for Milo's great-grandmother's funeral. I'm so glad we spent a few days with her at Christmas when we had the chance.

Next lesson: tomorrow! Back to the water for us all!