Of Pizza and Straws

So, what do a pizza, a straw an abacus and a home made meal with Venezuelan and German friends all have in common? Well, you don't really have to take too long to think of this one.... Irini of course! The added bonus of being a parent of a little ball of -now walking- joy is that everyone wants to hang out with our little one! And what does one do if they want to hang out with the smallest member of our family? Well, ask the drivers/chaperones/supervisors if they might consider bringing her over. Of course a parent can't refuse to share such wealth of wonder, and so it goes. Irina comes to visit her namesake. Natalia goes over to share a brunch with Mike and Dore. Irini impresses us with her straw sucking abilities. She visits Carter's house for a play-date with Marla, Isabel and Carter. She tries pizza for the first time. She takes walks around restaurants guided by two waitresses, holding the hands of both of them and smiling broadly.

And so it is that little Irini is now growing and becoming independent. Her ability to point (with her entire hand) and be understood is impressing even her fiercest critics (of which she has none). She can babble her way into someone's lap or be carried over to the fruit basket to pick up a pear. She can ask for her father to hold her while she pushes the stoller and take a walk around a mall. It is really quite amazing.

Laurence just returned from his final sports trip of the year: A basketball tournament to Taipei. Along with the normal ups and downs of tournament play, he had a number of hours to walk around the neighborhoods and find family owned cafes. He visited dumpling stores nestled in side streets and took walks with his friend and co-coach Scott as they discussed the philosophy of basketball programs and the development of player abilities.

Now that he's back he can't wait to hang out with the coolest girl in town! She shrieked with excitement today as both Natalia and Laurence walked in at the same time for the first time in Months. The shriek was accompanied by a quick paced walk, arms nearly outstretched, and a massive smile that could fill a bus. Life is good. Time is now a little more available. Love oozes from every pore.