Hawk Girl Is Four

It's Hawk Girl's birthday, and the theme she chose was Hawk Girl.

Since there is basically no Hawk Girl merchandise for sale anywhere, Meredith assembled the costume and our friend Summer created the mask.

At the bakery, the entire staff came out to wish Rosemary a happy birthday and tell her that her cake request was "extremely cool."

Rosemary was thrilled with the whole affair.

She has been anticipating her birthday for months and it has cropped up in many conversations:

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R: "Last night I dreamed about a caterpillar that turned into a robot and shot people." 

Me: "Wow." 

R: "Can I have that for my birthday?"

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R: "Can I do motorcycle lessons?"

Me: "Well, you're too young to ride a motorcycle."

R: "How about after I turn four?"

Hawk Girl -- who can soar gracefully through the air but also whack you in the head with a mace -- is not a bad metaphor for Rosemary at age four. 

More pictures of her birthday are  here.

Tess Uses a Fork

While her siblings fight, will Tess eat with a fork for the first time ever?

Macaroni and Cheese

It's the end of an era.

From day one in California, Rosemary -- perhaps seeking consistency in a new land -- ate macaroni and cheese for lunch.  Every single day.

Her other meals were healthy and varied, and we figured she would eventually move on, so we accommodated her.  "Yellow cheese or white cheese today?"

Eight months and about 104 boxes later, we realized we had to do something.

After many failed arguments, this is what worked:

"Bread and Jam for Frances," by Russell and Lillian Hoban.