It's a brand new year and the boys are growing up in surprising and wonderful ways!
So are their teeth. (See photo.)
February
Our Florida vacation includes a fun trip to Miami Seaquarium, where we all thrill to the sight of a crabby old couple storming out of the amphitheatre after being drenched by a splashing killer whale.
And speaking of couples, Sammy buys Valentine candy (using his own $2.50!) for a girl in his class.
March
Miriam breaks her finger in a door handle incident. Sammy seems intrigued by the possibility that she might lose the finger, and Harry comforts her by promising that he won't forget her after she's gone.
Meanwhile, Sammy gets his first phone call at home from a girl. The $2.50 really paid off.
April
We wake up one morning to find that there's a dead skunk in front of the house. (See January 1999, April 2000, and August 2000.)
May
Sammy's field trip to the zoo, where he learns that a cockroach can live for two weeks without a head.
Too bad a skunk can't.
June
John overhears Sammy telling Harry "We better go. It smells like Dad in here."
July
After installing a new kickstand on Harry's bike, John mentions that he thinks that the kickstand works both ways -- either forward or backwards.
"You mean that you don't know whether it works both ways?" Harry asks incredulously.
August
One rainy day on vacation, we all visit the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory in Hyannis, MA. While waiting on line, we strike up a conversation with a charming midwestern family of four who just returned from a visit to the Herr's Potato Chip Factory in Nottingham, PA. We can only guess where they'll be visiting next.
September
Harry marches into our bedroom early one morning and declares that he needs his own apartment, a job, and a car.
We, of course, agree.
October
For Harry's birthday, we all celebrate at the "Medieval Times" jousting show in Lyndhurst, NJ. Miriam is shocked to see that someone is having their wedding reception there! We assume that they'll be honeymooning at the Cheetos Factory in Nashville, TN.
November
Harry Potter Mania hits Stamford, CT! After seeing the movie, the boys discuss the logistics of film-making:
Harry
I know how they make movies. They set up the camera, turn it on, and then act out the story in front of it.
Sammy
That won't work. What happens if the actors make a mistake?
Harry
Sammy, these guys are professionals.
December
2001 is coming to an end, and still no Space Odyssey in sight. Maybe next year we'll visit the Doritos Factory in Plano, TX. I just hope it doesn't smell like Dad in there.
Wishing you the best of everything in 2002!
Harry, Sammy, Miriam, and John Kliewe
www.Kliewe.com
