And Jack Jumped Over the Candlestick

After many cold days in Charlotte, today was warm and sunny. I had a media interview, so we did it outside in the driveway. C joined me outside. I explained to him ahead of time that he would have to be quiet. So he gets on the tractor--which makes loud grating sounds as it travels. Cut. "C, buddy, the tractor is too noisy. Here, ride this tricycle instead." C: "It's noisy too. He rings the ding-a-ling bell." E: "Then don't ring the bell." Interview resumes. Reporter and cameraman snicker as red ball is launched up in the air behind me. Reporter wryly observes that that clip will be the best "visual" of the interview. (No doubt!) Minutes later there are sounds just behind as C is setting up lawn chairs. The interview ends (and we were really done). Reporter: "I'm not sure how you could keep talking with all those distractions." E: "I'm a father and a teacher. It takes a lot to distract me anymore."

The cameraman takes the camera off the tripod and sets it on the driveway to take the microphone from me. C dashes from the garage and leaps over the camera as reporter, cameraman, and dad gasp. C and I then sat in the lawn chairs to wave goodbye to the nice reporters. (And C's got to be wondering through all of this: "Ba just stands there and talks. I'm clearly the interesting one. They should be filming me. Mom does!)

This evening, M was in the bathroom during C's bathtime, per usual practice. She was fussier than usual and as C was brushing his teeth, was really in need of attention. I sang "You are my sunshine" which works best in calming her down, then proceeded to "Edelweis" which works second best. For the first time, C joined me in singing Edelweis. Of course, the words were Colinesque (the part about the Snowman would be particularly amusing). but it was touching nevertheless.

4 year olds. You can get it all in a single day!