Miko and I love this adorable picture of MoF old-timer Jonathan with his baby daughter (Jonathan, it’s wonderful to put a face to your name, heart and mind). As this is primarily a topical blog, I try not to subject you all to my the minutiae of my personal life, but I feel inspired this once to do the Internet equivalent of pulling out a couple of wallet photos:

GameBoy conquers his fear of heights by riding a bike on a tightrope three stories up.

CatGirl being her usual angelic self:

One more little story. We express love in our family in many ways: small gifts, frequent hugs, I-love-yous. GameBoy, in spite of his proximity to those teen years, still expresses his love verbally and gives sweet hugs. CatGirl is much more physical. She hangs from my neck like I’m a walking jungle gym when I come through the door, but Jana and I haven’t heard her say “I love you” for a few years now.

Last week, I drove CatGirl to school before 6am for a three-day Catalina outdoor ed program. It’s an important growing up rite here in SoCal, as much for the parents as the kids. As we walked through the pre-dawn blackness, hauling sleeping bags and suitcases, I interrupt the silence with “I love you.”

Her reply came back: “You too, Dad.”