For the last month or so, Aeneas has been talking incessantly about a "light-up sword." He has not seen Star Wars. He came up with the idea of a glowing, phallic, fighting tool all by himself. We saw this as an opportunity to connect something Aeneas cares about with something he doesn't seem to worry about much at all - potty training.

Last week, after several weeks of trying to go 5 days without an accident, Aeneas asked me very seriously, "Mama, are there any swords that don't have to be earned?" I said, "No." Luckily, this last weekend, while Jared and I were away for our 8th Wedding anniversary, he went on a winning streak.

So, I present you with the proud new owner of an Obi-Wan Kenobi "light-up sword." (After we put the batteries in, he said that he wanted a red one.)

Found some photos from when Grandma Susan came out to visit earlier this Summer.

This first one is at a french joint in DC that we are rather fond of.

And this is breakfast in Central Park. Because of course Grandma Susan likes to bounce from DC to NYC whenever she gets the chance :-)

Mama: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Aeneas: I want to pilot an airplane and I want to be a super-hero who can make forcefields and I want fire to come out of my feet. And, no bad guys will be able to hurt me or Maya or Dana. And there will be a button to make a green forcefield, and a button to make a gold forcefield, and a button to make a red forcefield. And, the red forcefield will be able to make bad guys clothes fall off. And...

Mama: Wait a minute, where are the buttons?

Aeneas: While you are flying.

Mama: So, the buttons are on the airplane?

Aeneas: Yes. And, the forcefields will come out of the tanks. And, the golden forcefield will go on to other planes and make the front fall off...

Ok, so we're a little behind...

Grandpa Bill was out to visit us in May and we had a really lovely time taking a trip down to Virginia Beach. Aeneas was very excited to get kite flying lessons from the master himself.

And I think it's gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no...
I'm a rocket man!

This weekend marks the end of a special era in Aeneas' life. Dana, his first best friend, has left Baltimore to travel and live in South America. Dana hung out with and looked after Aeneas and their friend Maya for over two years. When Dana first started playing with Aeneas, he was a grub that could barely sit up. Now, he can "put magic on you!" with wide open hands.

We are very proud of Dana and so thankful for the time she has spent with our family. We miss her dearly and will be thinking of her often and fondly.

On that note, it should be pointed out that Dana is a much a better historian than Jared or I. She has taken many pictures of the Aeneas and Maya over the years. Some can be viewed at Superpals.