Now this is how you really make clam chowda . . .

or, OMG is Marina actually wearing pants??

The other side

Now that Marina's older, she's been asking me some questions about my dad. Like what's his name? Why does he live in Mexico?

She's only met him once or twice. Ella's never met him at all. Actually, not many of my friends have, either.

So I found this photo hiding in the depths of my email inbox. It was taken when I was pregnant with Marina.

I present to you the Garins!



That's a lot of people, but basically, my dad is on the left. I don't know why my brother looks like Lucas. My half sister is the one in black, on the other end.

We were at my step-brother's wedding in Ensenada (the couple standing next to me). Though I guess, technically, he's no longer my step-brother.

But do you even appreciate this? Even Alex is in it! This truly is among the rarest of photos in the family's history.

Marina's view part two

Once again, these are shots that Marina took by herself.









Except this one, which I think is super funny because it was 10 p.m. and she was exhausted but still determined to eat her minature chocolate pie.

Marina's view

Over the weekend, we went to a wedding and Marina got antsy. So I gave her my camera so she could mess around and let me have my cocktail in peace.
Well, it turns out she's a photo genius. I swear she took these without any help.

Here is part one of her work.

Scary Bears

The other day, Marina insisted that I let her watch (a really horrible) Care Bears movie, even though she's super afraid of the mean guy character.

I told her I'd be making dinner and couldn't come in the room every time the evil Care Bear was about to steal a "belly badge."

She reassured me that she's a big girl now. She likes bad guys, in fact. And it would be no problem at all.



Just as long as her sister was there.

An afternoon at the book store

Alternate title: Can you pick out the Jewish child?

Scene: Ella constructing a circle around herself with tiny stuffed animals, which includes (but is not limited to) a raccoon, a bunny and Big Bird. The circle looks very much like a "circle time" would at school.

Key: Davening is a way of saying praying. I told you already, her school is very religious.



Marina: Ella, are you davening?

Ella: No, I'm not. I'm doing Christmas.

Marina: What?

Ella: I'm doing Christmas.

Marina: But . . . you're Jewish.

Ella: I'm not Jewish. I'm Christmas.

Marina: What, are you crazy?

End scene.

Goodbye, hair.

Here is my new haircut. Thanks, Mom!



Notice the photo's red glow? It's because I was watching The Bachelor and apparently the entire room glows in romance colors when you do that. Who knew?