Many Brits told us that Halloween is not be a big deal in the U.K., at least nothing like it is in the U.S. That may be changing, as retailers have figured out that they may be able to push Halloween products and candy and the like on youngsters. In the final days before the 31st I did see more and more plastic jack …

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I told the wife of one of AC’s British colleagues that I am getting to know English culture through the playgrounds. It’s really true. Being in a foreign country with a small child means that we do fewer adult touristy things and more hanging out in parks and gardens. So what have I gleaned so far? Playground …

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Tonight while I was making dinner, Sam came into the kitchen with her backpack on. She explained that she was going on a trip. Me: “Where are you going?” Sam: “To the United States.” Me: “Oh, I’m from the United States.” Sam: “This is a different United States.” Me: “Oh?” Sam: “Yeah, it has an east coast. It’s called …

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This was Sam’s first observation about England. Not that it’s grey and cloudy nearly every day. Not that the driver’s seat is on the other side of the car, and certainly not the linguistic differences that amuse her parents so much (we live in a flat not an apartment; we take the lift not the elevator, etc.) No, the …

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Three years old, that is. Today is Sammy’s birthday. Her parents are happy and proud. At age 3 Sam is toilet trained, she can legibly write two of the three letters of her name (the “A” and the “M”), she can reliably count up to 10 objects, she is chatty and charming and friendly. Also, she exhausts us like no other …

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A tender moment between father and daughter. AC picks Sam up and says to her: “Sam, I’m so happy that you are in my life.” Sam squirms out of the embrace and says: “I wanna ride your foot!” {Beat} “That’s MY life.”

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We captured Sammy singing the French song “Alouette” on video about two months ago, back when she was obsessed with French children’s songs. “Alouette” is a bird-plucking song, though Sam doesn’t realize that. It’s a useful song for learning and reinforcing body parts, and so you see Sam tap her father’s head (la …

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Remember how I’m a sucker for the photo retrospective? April 2006: April 2007: April 2008: Three years, three ice cream cakes, and look how much Sam has changed. AC, of course, looks the same as ever. (How does he manage that?) The April picture gallery has been updated, and you can find it here.

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This afternoon, Sam and I were hanging out in the backyard. I said, “So what do you want to play now?” She said, “I have a new game.” I said, “Oh good! What’s your new game?” She said (really fast with big hand motions): “My new game is I THROW the ball to you and you throw it back to me, and the Frisbee tries to get …

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