OMG, my brain is running in circles - too much caffeine this afternoon. And I keep trying to do things and mac wants to talk and then I don't have the stuff handy I really need to do the tasks anyway. FRUSTRATING.

mac just needs to get done with bath and get to bed fast.

Thank you shrift!

I am so excited for Mona's arrival!

Today we had dog day, since it was a bonus day off. We hung out during the day, then went to the park. There's a disused tennis court there (no net) that we use as an unofficial (but sanctioned informally by park officials) off-leash area for him. It was completely filled with snow; sometimes feet deep. The Biscuit just adored it. He romped and played and dug and chased the ball (we got one of those ball-throwing stick things) and burrowed under the snow and generally had a fantastic time.

On the way home D. bought him a bun-less jr. cheeseburger from Wendy's, for which I claimed no responsibility. He ate the cheese first.

It was a fun day, and we should play at the park more often. Now he is slumped happily and sleepily under my feet at my desk.

At which point Malia looks up at me and says "Yeah, how are we doing on that?"

Adorable. I wonder what the answer was.

Re lead paint - is it the mere presence that causes the problem, or is it a child's proclivity to put chips in their mouths that's the problem? Because I suspect I've got some serious lead paint action going in this apartment, but I'm not about to eat any of it.

Hey, for all of you encouraging me to go down to DC Tuesday, thanks. My worst fear is getting stuck in traffic/metro and missing it and I think my worst-case-scenario brane was driving the bus for a bit there.OK, hell it was in everything (amazing how hormones affect my optimism.) Might still happen, but at least I'd be able to say I tried, taking Taylor with me. That's memories itself. Even if it ends up being listening over the radio or enjoying Sparky's hospitality!

God I love Tyra.

I have fresh strawberries and some aged cheddar. NOM.

Re lead paint - is it the mere presence that causes the problem, or is it a child's proclivity to put chips in their mouths that's the problem? Because I suspect I've got some serious lead paint action going in this apartment, but I'm not about to eat any of it.

Lead dust can be ingested by touching the paint and then having hands in/on/around the mouth, which kids are very prone to do.

Re: libraries, is there concern that the books might contain lead? Or is it the technicality that everything for children must be tested?

And again, what I said about the dirt. The soil around my parents' house is full of lead from the past exterior paint, and you know people get dirt on their hands that makes it to their mouths.

At which point Malia looks up at me and says "Yeah, how are we doing on that?"

Adorable. I wonder what the answer was.

Later in the interview he said that they were talking about the length of Lincoln's second inaugural address and how he had to make a speech too, and Malia said something along the lines of, "First black president...it better be good."

God I missed FNL.