Pam says that Griffin is "imperious." Is that a word? If it is, then he certainly is... tyrannically imperious. He's found his voice and a number of words that go with it. If he's feeling cross, he'll throw me a sideways scowl and reprimand me: "No." He'll do that repeatedly, until he feels I've gotten a clear message. He's learned the word, "juice." Now he won't even drink milk anymore. All of a sudden, he'll come up to one of us and shout at the top of his lungs, "DA DA!" JUICE!"

I don't want to put Griffin in a negative light. He can be awfully cute and endearing at times. He laid on a blanket between Pam and I, hours past his bedtime, out on the golf course while we watched the July 4 fireworks. While awaiting the show, he took turns kissing Pam and then kissing me. He's awfully sweet.

I think Rowan had already decided that the fireworks were going to be too scary. Even though she assured me, "I'll try it, Daddy. I'll calm down." Moments after they started though, Grammy was escorting her back to the house.

She was a kick at the block party. Our friend, Betsy asked if I was a middle child because I'm so protective of her. Not overly protective I don't think. I just always am very consoling when she breaks down over something or another. I think I feel responsible for her sensitive nature. I think perhaps I caused it by being too fierce at times, and for that I feel guilty. Anyway, she broke down over not having the football to herself at the block party. She really liked that little football, and I'm going to get her one. I'm also shopping for red converse hi-tops to match hers.

Berit had a good time at the block party also. Ate lots of sugar, rode her bike around. By the time the fireworks were over, she was a mess. She broke down upon seeing that there were pictures of Griffin and Rowan both as babies, both painting, on our refrigerator (they've been there for a year). Suddenly, it seemed very unjust to her that there were no pictures of her as a baby painting. Ok, Berit, time for bed.