Today I finished Klara and the Sun. I really enjoyed it. Here is what I wrote to Michael White and Sagi Ester about it:

I just finished “Klara and the Sun”, a novel by the same author who wrote “Remains of the Day” and has a Nobel prize in literature. What a wonderful book that will stay with me for some time. I guess it is really about love. Can Klara, the AI, love her owner?

Here’s a portion I highlighted that I liked. Klara, the AI, is thinking”

“Mr Capaldi believed there was nothing special inside Josie that couldn’t be continued. He told the Mother he’d searched and searched and found nothing like that. But I believe now he was searching in the wrong place. There was something very special, but it wasn’t inside Josie. It was inside those who loved her. That’s why I think now Mr Capaldi was wrong and I wouldn’t have succeeded. So I’m glad I decided as I did.”

Last night, Elliot had his 2nd movie theatre experience last night, the 20th anniversary showing of “Spirited Away” at AMC Highlands Ranch 24. Max was there, too. About mid-way through the film, the Stink Spirit gives Chihiro a lump of brown something:

The theatre was very quiet during this scene, and the movie is also quiet with no talking and music. Suddenly, Elliot breaks the silence and says very loudly:

“EWWW! That’s poop!!“

Everyone in the theatre, at least 25 people, burst out laughing. It was hysterical. He has a hard time whispering; he can’t really do it, and during movie of the film he was loud. He got bored shortly after this, and we left Max to watch the rest while we explored the other theatres, broken video games, projection booths, closets, and bathrooms… eating ice and generally getting into trouble.

Max and Elliot played with some of the neighborhood kids while Karolina and I talked with the neighbors at Bill and Irena’s house.

Elliot often gets so upset when playing. He adores Luca, always wants to get his attention to show him something. Yells “LUCA! LUCA!” but Luca is often busy with other things. That’s not what gets Elliot most upset, though. It’s often when the kids play with his toys without asking (and if they ask, he says no).

But I still think he has a good time and loves playing outside with the neighborhood kids, just like I did. I am glad Max is finally experiencing this. He never had the chance before now.

On the side of the house.

Elliot: “Daddy! Daddy! Look! Red blueberries!”

February 2019 (Morgan’s Bat Mitzvah). Mike and I found an alien skeleton while walking the Pine Barrens.

Tonight Elliot and I went to temple for Sukkot. The moon was full and big. We marveled at it, and I said, “It’s so big and beautiful. I love the moon!”

Elliot said, “No, you love roller coasters.”

Elliot can’t say kipah or yamalka, so he says “PEACOCK” instead.

Today is the first time I left Elliot alone successfully (without him watching TV). I’m upstairs and he is downstairs, playing DigDug. He’s not screaming “Daddy! Daddy! Wait for me!”. And ok, he’s playing a video game, not watching TV, but it is still a step forward towards more independence.

Also, I measured him and he is just under 41 inches tall.

We were at the “Eyeball Shop” (IHOP) the other day. They are playing only 70s music for some reason. “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen came on. Elliot said, “ANGRY BIRDS!”. I checked the soundtrack and yes, that song is in the movie. It is amazing to me that a 3 year, 5 month old can do that.

Eric and Mike at the Breckenridge Troll in early August 2021. We’re wearing the same shirt. People probably thought we were a gay couple.

Today I received this after a team meeting of about 15 people.

Just two small memories from this past Summer and, well, even now in September.

Elliot often asks to touch or feel my muscle. “Touch your muscle?” So I make a muscle with my bicep. He lifts my sleeve and touches it and says, “Why? Why?” I answer, “Because of weights and push-ups. And you lying on my back while I do push-ups. Remember? And when you are older, you can have muscles like this, too.” And he asks again, “Why?” No matter what I say, “Why?”

Elliot often asks to go to another fair. We went to 3 this Summer: the Renaissance Fair, Arapahoe County Fair (twice!!), and the Douglas County Fair. The Douglas County Fair was not good, but the other two were great. Anyway, he had so much fun at the fairs. He is always asking to go again, but all the fairs have been gone for a while now.

Elliot calls motorcycles “circle bikles” (long I like in bike). He used to call them cycle bikes.