I spend much of my time on vacations answering questions posed by curious sons.
Is Micah asleep or writing? Asleep.
Do you remember when we were in New Orleans and we had twisty stairs? Yes, Paul, I do.
Can we go back and visit Grandma and Granddaddy's home in New Orleans again? Maybe next year.
Why do they own two houses? They don't; they borrow this one for January so Granddaddy can help build houses for people. (With the bonus of getting to eat amazing cajun food and hear great zydeco music.)
How does the street car work? (My mom and I answered this one many times.)
Can we go this way and hear more music? Sure.
What river is this again? The Mississippi. Didn't we see it in Minnesota with Papa? Yes. Amazing, isn't it?
Why are those people yelling "Sooie?" Because they are cheering for Arkansas to win the football game today.
Why is that man walking out into the road and people are laughing? He is a comedian and thinks it is funny even though you know it is dangerous, Paul.
Could you hear me yelling "Go Bucks?" Yes.
When I grow up, can I pretend to be a statue like that silver guy? If you really want to.
Did dad cheer for the Buckeyes? Yes!
What was your favorite part of the Sugar Bowl, mom? With hesitancy about placing too much emphasis on the OSU victory . . .
I emphasized script Ohio as a close second.
Anthony was able to spend a day with us before the math conference, so we went to the aquarium. We forgot the camera, but here is my first attempt at capturing a picture from the flip videos.
What was your favorite animal at the zoo, Samuel? The flamingos.
Do you remember when we went to the New Orleans Zoo with Grandma Bev? Yes, Paul, I do. Can we go back there sometime? Maybe.
Hey Micah, can I see the picture you took? (Ahh. I don't have to answer that one.)
Just wait until I can ask questions.
Can I move to China when I grow up and study panda bears? Sure, Micah.
Why is the monkey statue holding a shoe just like Samuel? I don't know.
Do you know what my favorite animal at the zoo was? No, Paul, what? The giraffes.
What kind of bird is that, mom? I don't know, but Grandma probably does.
Why are you letting Samuel put his foot into a crocodile's mouth? He was grabbing its nose earlier and it was okay.
Can I be a pay-lee-ah-toll-ah-gist when I grow up, mom? Sure, Paul.
What is dad doing while we explore the Insectarium? He's working at the math conference.
Did you know that one quintillion (the approximate number of insects alive) has 18 zeroes? I'm glad that I get to learn new things with you.
What did you do today, mom? I got to have one of the best days of my year, helping to build a house for someone who needs it. This picture shows where Anthony and Keith left off on the previous workday.
Who did you work with, mom? These Harvard MBA students worked with Granddaddy and me; we got a lot done in one day.
Doesn't the contrail in this picture display a beautiful 45 degree angle with Keith's measurements?
What is Habitat for Humanity? Generous people help build homes for other people.
What kind of house did you help Granddaddy build? It is a modified shot-gun house, meaning it is long and narrow.
