Anna Talk. Charlie Thoughts.

The development of the kids is always interesting. Anna, two, can repeat almost everything we say (even long complicated sentences with long complicated words). She has memorized the text of books, and can "read"  them. She knows the numbers up to four or five, and can point them out (as the cardinality of a group) or count them out.

  
Charlie, four, is interested in superheros, remote control, and trains. He has started to ask about hard concepts like death, jealousy and social exclusion. He recalls events and dreams, and recounts them understandably.

Swan's Maple Products.

Recent chance meeting at a conference made me sit down and properly get the links for Swan's Maple Products. http://www.swansmapleproducts.com/aboutus.html

It is a convergence of many things.

"Charlie" is my grandfather and the (half) namesake of my son. The half is because of my wife's grandfather - also a "Charlie".

Recent discussion with colleagues, has run to maple sugaring process. Had almost forgotten the trick of letting the sap freeze overnight, and removing the ice, as a natural pre-processing phase. Have been thinking lately that that freezing may add an artisinal twist to the product/flavour... the flavour I remember as unique in my childhood.  

Along another vein, cannot determine the cause of the strange correlation in "maple" flavor/scent found in Thai iced tea. None of the listed teas and spices seem to account for the maple. But there it is. Might be fenugreek (or related compound)?

Was also recently pointed to newsletters
http://www.themaplenews.com/
http://www.northamericanmaple.org/index.php/en/maple-syrup-digest

And here is some basic stuff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple_syrup
http://www.massmaple.org/

Completely puzzled why Google Maps labels Swan's Maple as in Belmont? Map location pin is right but that is Central New Annan.

Baby Anna

My wife and I had our first daughter (second child), Anna, the last week of January, and I am just getting back into things. Anna was 8lbs 2oz., 20inches, and has beautiful dark hair and features like her mother. The staff at Mount Auburn in Cambridge made us feel like family during our stay, just as they had done during our stay with Charlie in March 2011. Grama and Grampa provided great support. All fine at home.  Big brother Charlie is a bit upset with her loud crying, but happy with her overall. Many thanks for all the kind greetings sent by everyone.