Saturday, August 4, 2012
Lainey goes for geography gold.
My daughter Lainey is 6 years old, and I love her. Like sports fans across the world, we have watched tons of Olympics coverage this week. “Go, USA! Go, USA!” Lainey chanted, waving her mini flag at the television. “Lainey!” I yelled. “Get out of the way! I can’t see!” Lainey moved just in time to see match point of a volleyball game. “Did we win?” Lainey asked. “Yep!” I smiled. “Oh, yeah!” Lainey cheered. Next up was a diving competition. Lainey awed at a few splashes and then asked, “What country is she from?” “China,” my wife said. “Boo, China! Go, USA!” “You know where China is, Lainey?” my wife asked. “Go get the globe.” Lainey grabbed the globe and I pointed to China. Then Lainey found Boston and slowly traced her finger back to …
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Lainey wheels and deals.
My daughter Lainey is 6 years old, and I love her. With her grandma along for the ride, Lainey recently honed her shopping skills at some neighborhood garage sales. The first yard we visited sold a variety of cooking tools, and Lainey sifted through the pile. “Can I buy this one?” Lainey asked, holding up a yellow chip-clip marked 25-cents. “You have money?” I asked. Lainey shrugged and dove into her purse. Her face lit up as she retrieved the dollar bill her grandmother had given her earlier. “Whoa!” I exclaimed. “A whole dollar? Well then buy whatever you want.” Lainey grinned proudly and pumped her fist. She browsed the merchandise and discovered a three-part basket, built to sit on a desk and hold pencils. Lainey loves organizing …
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Lainey flies through the yard.
My daughter Lainey is 6 years old, and I love her. She enjoys playing outside, but sometimes the swing set, jump rope, baseball, hula-hoop and bike just aren’t enough. “Want to play kite with me?” Lainey smiled. “Come on!” “I don’t know,” my wife groaned. “There are lots of cables over there. I think that’s more of a park toy.” I shrugged, “I’ll play.” Lainey smiled and grabbed her kite in the garage. She led me into the side yard and unwound about 15 feet of string off her spool. The pink princess kite, with a long yellow tail, rested in the grass at her feet. “Grab the kite, dad.” Lainey directed. “I’ll tell you when to let go.” She took off running through the yard, “Now!” I released the kite, and it shot into the air. Lainey didn’t …
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Lainey goes on tour.
My daughter Lainey is 6 years old, and I love her. After recently showing interest in gardening, we took the free kids’ tour at Wilson Farm. The tour began by the flagpole where a dozen kids, ages 5-12, and a few accompanying parents, were given an apple to munch. Lainey chomped hers while Joey gummed mine, and we heard a brief history lesson from our guide, Lynne Wilson. Mrs. Wilson soon led us into the warehouse and past a washing station where workers rinsed and packaged freshly harvested radishes. Next, we toured the giant walk-in refrigerator, a loading dock, and the inside of a truck trailer. We walked through the flower trimming area, and stopped by the bakery. “Mom’s favorite!” Lainey whispered and pointed to a rack of apple cider …
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Lainey discovers Elizabeth Island.
My daughter Lainey is six year old, and I love her. She has seen Spy Pond so many times, and now she has finally conquered it. A new program from Arlington Recreation, offers kayak and canoe rentals, available beside Spy Pond Playground, from Friday to Monday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., all summer. Lainey and I saw their sign on the Minuteman Trail, and jumped at the opportunity. I paid the attendant $15 for an hour on a canoe, signed a release form, and picked out our lifejackets. The attendant helped me carry the canoe down the launch, and Lainey boarded the vessel like a pro, even though it was her first canoe ride. We pushed off and fought the wind, paddling my hardest. “What do you think, Lainey?” I yelled. “Great,” Lainey said. “I was scared …
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Lainey parties with science.
My daughter Lainey is 5 years old, and I love her. Scratch that— she’s six now! And we threw her a big party to celebrate. After tossing around a few ideas, Lainey chose a mad science party. We hired a scientist, and he arrived 30 minutes early to set up his act. On a large table in the backyard, he laid out beakers and vials, and a blanket on the lawn so the kids could sit down. Then he waited quietly while the guests trickled in. “Welcome to Lainey’s birthday party!” the scientist announced with gusto. “My name is Buoyancy Ben.” Ben introduced a hardboiled egg, named Egbert, that wouldn’t fit into a flask. He lit a fire in the glass and the egg magically fell through. With the help of some petroleum jelly, Ben stuck a needle through a …
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Lainey celebrates kindergarten.
My daughter Lainey is 5 years old, and I love her. She graduated kindergarten, and we couldn’t be prouder. On her last day of school, my wife and I pushed Joey in the stroller and entered the school cafeteria. The room was filled with bright rainbow decorations, chairs and a stage, tables, doughnuts and coffee. We found a seat and the graduates marched in. Lainey shined, smiling ear-to-ear in her fancy flowered dress. Nearly all of her classmates were dressed to the nines—one boy even wore a tuxedo! Lainey found her spot atop the onstage bleachers, and a piano played in the background. Once every student was in place the piano began "You’re a Grand Old Flag," and the kids sang. After a few more songs, one of the kindergarten teachers …
Monday, June 18, 2012
Lainey manages her strawberry harvest.
My daughter Lainey is 5 years old, and I love her. She considers herself quite the gardener and keeps a close eye on her strawberry patch. Many berries have recently turned red, and Lainey capitalized. “Strawberries for sale! Who wants strawberries?” she yelled. “How much?” I asked. “Two pennies each. Pretty good price, huh?” she grinned. Business ran smoothly until a saboteur arrived. “What is this, Lainey?” I asked, inspecting the patch and finding a half-eaten strawberry. “Did you do this?” “No,” Lainey said, and thought for a second. “A bunny!” Lately rabbits have infested the neighborhood. We saw three of them chase each other across the neighbor’s driveway. One bunny likes to hang out under Lainey’s swingset — and he’s not shy. The …
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Lainey dances to Mozart.
My daughter Lainey is 5 years old, and I love her. After rehearsing for months, she finally performed in her ballet recital. The Ballet Academy is the real deal. From day one, Lainey learned about the history of ballet, heard classical music, wore the standard black leotard and never strayed from traditional method. Lainey took the discipline in stride, and happily pointed her toes all year long. “Check out these moves!” she said after each class. As the recital approached we purchased an elaborate kitten costume with sequins and pink feathers. Numerous alterations, like sewing—not pinning the tail, were dutifully completed. “We don’t want them touching their costume,” the teacher announced at the dress rehearsal, “We want them dancing! …
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Lainey visits Manhattan.
My daughter Lainey is 5 years old, and I love her. The family recently drove into New York City and explored Central Park. “This is awesome!” Lainey exclaimed as she climbed over gigantic rock formations under a skyscraper backdrop. We dodged joggers, cyclists and tour groups, and walked to The Mall, where a rollerblader in a string-bikini practiced an over-the-top figure skating routine. Soon, two more sweaty bladers joined in her theatrics. “It’s the crazy rollerblader club!” Lainey laughed. At the beautiful Bethesda Fountain, we discovered a model in a tight blue dress doing a professional photo shoot. Nearby, a homeless man paraded as a wizard. Or was it a wizard disguised as a homeless man? Lainey wondered. Along the park perimeter we…
Ryan P. Standley
11:38 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
PLAY DATE was cut from the budget after 75 columns. Had a great run! Thanks for reading! more ›