A visit from Grandpa, and a new question

We had a nice visit from my Dad this weekend. A trip with Mila to the Science Center, toddling on the docks of the Inner Harbor, and many book readings were among the highlights. A few pictures from the weekend are posted here.

Yesterday Mila began asking "Why?" repeatedly when I stated that a certain thing had to be done or postponed. Mila wants to feed the fish in the middle of the afternoon. Daddy says we only feed the fish twice a day. Mila asks "Why?". I say that too much food will make the fish bowl dirty. Mila asks "Why?". And so on. She has also started to use the word "because" in her own sentences when I ask her about things. It is a new world of communication, and of circular arguments. While it may mean more parenting challenges, I am happy to see these new developments. I think that Mila has been learning a lot from her friend Silas, who is a little bit older and definitely wanting to know "Why?" on a full-time basis (see the video from the National Zoo on my last post for an example).

Trip To The National Zoo

Marie had the day off on Friday, a day on which we were also babysitting Silas, so we all got to go to the National Zoo in DC. An unusually warm day, this was also the first time that I've seen the pandas outside. A great day all around. I know that Nani will especially appreciate the picture of Mila with the hippo. Look for one video at the bottom.

Mila's first gallery show

New drawings by Mila, who also helped me arrange and tape them to the wall. She is reticent to analyze her work for the camera, preferring her art to speak for itself.