On Friday, with the threat of rain hanging over our heads, I took Lexy with me to Hidden Villa. He's been there before, of course, but never on a day that I'm leading a tour. He ended up helping out, as I knew he would since it's impossible for him to remain in the background. He did a very good job of explaining the horse hitching post (actually, a pair of old iron rings embedded in an even older oak tree) and later was of the opinion that the kids were "dull". This is because he's a sophisticated first grader and the other kids were kindergarteners. Another highlight was Emerson the pig, who grunts like a car with a broken muffler if one massages him just right.
I'm going to take Nate next friday. I figured that taking them both at the same time might detract from my real purpose of leading tours comprised of people who have paid for them.

On Saturday we had a party for Willow (after much scrubbing and cooking and whatnot). She was immediately impressed with her new xylaphone and drum, and has since playfully explored her other gifts as well. The Dickens was of the opinion that all of the gifts were actually hers, including the snazzy new highchair that Jen brought home from the store.
It really was an important celebration - more so than most birthdays. Jen's pregnancy was complicated, to say the least. Her birth was unexpectedly early. And of course there's this darn anemia thing that we're dealing with now. Add all of this to the fact that the anybody's first birthday is special, and you have a very heartfelt celebration.

Of course, now we're all getting another cold, although so far I've been spared. I think we've more than filled our cold quota for the year. Somebody call the disease police.

Random thought: Have you ever noticed that when somebody accuses you of standing in the way of progress, it's usually because you're standing in the way of decline? Think about it.

cds I listened to while wondering where the forecast rain had gotten to: Feederz "Teachers In Space", Goblin "Il Fantastico Viaggio del Bagarozzo Mark", Opera IX "Maleventum", and V/A "Hand/Eye"