The last time Kina was in Philly, she was four years old. She didn’t know about the tacos and the stuffies and the sleepovers. We will have to go back again sometime before three years from now, if only so she can make good on the three hours of extra sleepover she didn’t get.

dad

The key to keeping secrets is to force yourself to forget you have any, apparently.

dad

To be honest, I was there when she asked it, and it still barely makes sense.

dad

I didn’t hang this one up in the kitchen because I didn’t want Kina to know that the beef in the pie was tongue. Packs a punch! dad

I write to you this rainy evening, annoying but lovable.

dad

No gummy is worth an hour long tantrum, unless the gummy is a sense of grief about the end of family vacation.

dad

The city’s not so bad.

dad

The end of a trip, three days later. Still sand in her shoes.
dad

I have never seen somebody so proud of herself.
dad

She’s gone full rock.
dad

Mommy is not known for driving, so this was a major accomplishment in Kina’s eyes. dad

Setting aside the great tragedy of a beautiful walk to no strawberry ice cream, she and Nicky did in fact enjoy their annual trip to the Giglio and its raft of humanity.
dad

Honestly, I am confused about this most of the time. dad

Come for the dinner table tiff, stay for “Would you do this in front of the Queen of England?”

But really, stay; it’s much better in this newspaper than in the outside world, in nearly every way—despite the bickering.

dad

Laurea’s reaction to jet lag is to not be jet lagged.

dad

Ah, the smell of trampolines after a transcontinental flight and six hours of sleep.

dad

Kina spent the whole cross-country flight worried that she wouldn’t make a 10 AM birthday party.

dad

Apropos of just about everything, I would like to rewind the clock by two weeks and have Kina setting up her fort in Alameda again. Simpler, calmer times. Go for a walk on the dunes today, if you can.

dad

Goodbyes are easier than they used to be, but it’s not that easy. Kina has learned enough about this to be ready with a hug and a cautious smile. It has been a good trip, with lots of good family time. Nothing to be sad about. But it’s sad, even so, sometimes.

dad