Jocelyn is walking around with a tootsie pop raised in the air. “I’m the Statue of Liberty.” “I’m the Statue of Liberty.” “Hmmm, I’m just Liberty, becasue I’m alive.”

It made me smile so I thought I’d share.

When Jocelyn says so. The Green Dragons played in Santa Clara today. Technically, they lost 2-1, but Jocelyn insists it was a tie. OK. I wouldn’t mind forgetting the other team’s first goal, either, which scored by a cherry picking forward from the other team. No offisides rule in U8, so the goal stands! Maybe that should be the answer to our offensive woes?

I’ve put a few new pictures on the website … On average, there is about one new picture on each page, including a new picture of the Keller Sisters, a new Green Dragons team photo, and a professional portrait on Jocelyn’s Page. Take a look, and happy hunting. If we’re all lucky, a more thorough Halloween page could be on its way.

As milestones go, it’s not a major change, but it seems that Jocelyn is developing some modesty. By modesty, I mean she no longer runs naked through the house where I might see her, and she hides herself from me if she’s not fully-clothed. I approve of this modesty, of course. But it probably means the end of being able to take innocent bathtub pictures for future blackmail purposes.

I also went to the movies in Vegas, watching “Team America: World Police,” an absolutely hysterical movie from start to finish. Nothing is sacred and everything is ridiculed and lampooned, in the crudest, most offensive way possible. Karen would have had an extreme physical reaction to the film, so seeing it on my own was the only way. Actually, there are some morning screenings in San Jose that I could have seen with Felicia …. but it was so crude that I don’t think I could live with myself if there was any chance she’d remember any of it.

Our trip to Las Vegas has ended. It was nice, but we really missed our girls.

My own personal LV experience has repeated itself for the third time. I always find the town to be an inspiring amalgam of American culture, until I’ve been there 36 hours, and then it’s a stunning critique of capitalist excess.

Take for example, “the revolving door,” a remarkable feat of engineering and HVAC conservation that maintains a perfectly airconditioned indoor atmosphere. Then 36 hours later, you realize that this fabulous technology is keeping the cigarette smoke confined indoors as well. Plus, have you ever watched a random collection of bewildered pedestrians attempt to walk efficiently through a revolving door? It’s hilarious, and there’s no admission charge to watch on the sidewalk outside of The Bellagio.

And of course, I lost some money gambling. But, in another cruel twist, I helped several other people win hundreds of dollars. If you don’t understand Craps, just skip this paragraph … I have bad luck with the dice; always have, but I play anyway. On my first turn as the shooter, I came out with a four, and promptly rolled a seven on my next roll. Why waste time? On my second turn, I was down to $10 when I was given the dice, so I could only put money on own ‘come’ bet. I had money in my wallet, but I knew Karen would kill me if I bet any more. So, I proceeded to hit two points in a row (5 and then 10), but not before rolling sixteen times for winning numbers, including three consecutive hard sixes and two hard eights. Third point, having won only modest cash, I crapped out after three rolls. Although I am still alive, I am not rich.

Karen and David are being forced against their will to go to Las Vegas for a few days, without the girls. Gasp! Grandee and GrandPa have stepped in as “new and improved parents” in San Jose for a few days, shuttling Jocelyn to school and showing off Felicia. So, the updates come from the perspective of grandparents.

We’ve instructed Felicia not to crawl for the first time or do anything cute while we are gone. Although if she does, it should be well-documented. Good Luck to everyone … parents, kids, and grandparents! …. and maybe the cats, too!

Today was our last day with Jocelyn & Felicia. Jocelyn was gone most of the day. School in the AM and a play date and dancing class in the afternoon. Grandpa and I spent our day playing on the floor with Felicia and quickly cleaning up during naps. We worked hard on the crawling, but she just wouldn’t cooperate. She was having too much fun laughing at Grandpa.

We all went to the airport. We waited in the hall and watched for Mommy & Daddy. Jocelym spotted them first. Then Felicia discovered that Mommy and Daddy had returned. That was it. Grandpa and I faded into the background. We truly enjoyed our time with the girls and we will come back in a heartbeat to do it again. We love you all!!!