Little Mir

Every so often, Miriam will don her overalls, pick up a bucket, and go around "picking blueberries" just like one of her favorite book characters, Little Sal in "Blueberries for Sal." Above, she re-reads the classic book for the 200th time while sitting on her custom-made pillow sofa.

Purim & the Transportation Obsession

Happy Purim! The Asch family traveled north to Philly to visit our friends Rachel & Morris and their wonderful daughter Pardes, who towers over Miriam even though she's only three months older (Miri is a shrimp, alas). It was a great weekend full of hamentaschen, Megillah-reading, and, of course, transportation-related costumes. What, your kid is not obsessed with transportation costumes? Last year, Miriam wanted to be a Metro train; this year, what did she want to be? "A brown bus, Mommy!" Ay, caramba! Below, she models the costume with Pardes and then hits the streets of Philadelphia.

A Day in the Life of an Adventurer

Anyone raising a girl needs to read "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" by Peggy Orenstein. Scary stuff about how marketers (not kids) have driven the new "Princess culture" that encourages girls to see themselves as commodities and/or as the shallow, materialistic, shopping vixens of a "Mad Men" stereotype. Miriam has managed to avoid the Princess trap thus far. Here's a day in her life -- picking berries with cousin Pearce, drawing stuff on the sidewalk, and climbing a downed tree.

Outside Time

The weather has turned nice, Robin is finally feeling better, and it is staying light later. Time to head outside. Robin, taking a stroll.Check out those sunglasses......and the matching sweaters (thanks Nana and Pardes!)