Ellie, child prodigy

Ellie informed me a few days ago that she can burp whenever she wants to. She was happy to demonstrate in case I was skeptical. That clinches it. She's smart. I didn't learn how to do that until I was 7 years old, I had to ask people what caused burps first, and it turned out to be a particular skill of mine. She's got me beat by 2 years without help.

Ellie, geek

Ellie has been asking to use the computer lately. Linda suggested that I dig out an old mostly-broken laptop and let her type on it, so that's what I did. Last night, Ellie was clicking away when she discovered that the Enter key brings the cursor back to the left of the screen. She said, "Wow, that key let's me get my work done MUCH faster."

Indeed.

When it was time for bed, she was in earnest. "Wait Dad. I just have to send Gracy two more emails."

What it feels like to be Linda

Linda reminded me recently of a story that an old friend once told us. Our friend had been traveling overseas. On her trip she had enjoyed some hot baths. She described the water as deep enough to stand in, and so hot you could hardly bear to get in.

Of course over time, you adjust to the heat. Our friend said that the other people left the bath, but it was so relaxing that she stayed longer. By the time she decided to get out, she had waited too long. The water was so hot she had no strength left. She was alone, and scared, not sure that she could get out.

Obviously she lived to tell us about it. She dragged herself clumsily out of the pool, crawling away from the heat until she could recover.

Linda says that is a pretty good description of how she feels. It doesn't get at the whole thing (like tone), but it captures a real element of her experience. It's why when she crawls to the TV to put on a movie, sometimes she tips on her face; getting overbalanced and not having the strength or the quickness to right herself. Her body is slower and weaker than it should be.

Hurray, it,s snowing

Ellie was especially exited to look out the window this morning and see that it has been snowing all night. We never got an appropriate chance to play in the ice that we had last week. Ice isn't that much fun anyway; snow is better. The weather is supposed to turn to sleet this afternoon. So after I make some breakfast for Linda, Ellie and I are going to dash out for some play while it is still beautiful and white.

Settling in

I couldn't believe when I looked that my last post was last year. Obviously school has started. I'm keeping busy with class and meetings and computer work. I'm also finishing up a few projects that I began over the break.

Ellie is doing well. She was excited by the snow that turned out really to be ice, and not as much fun. She's had some friends to play a few times, and is always desperate to have sleep-overs.

Linda doesn't like the cold, which is harder for her than for most of us. We skipped her workout last week when it was very icy, but we went this week. She is using her computer in the livingroom today, because there always seems to be a draft in the family room. She gets tired of being cold.

All in all, we are doing the same things we always do.