Monday, March 24, 2008

Sunday in Skillman


Caption: Madeline, Michael, Theodore and Natalie, with their bounty.

The Clarks of New Jersey shared a memorable Easter holiday with the Clarks of Pennsylvania and the Davidians of New Jersey, a branch of the Clark family not to be confused with the Branch Davidians. These are two very different families.

Highlights included an egg hunt on the “Great Lawn,” organized, directed and sponsored by Diana Davidian, matriarch of the Davidian branch. Interestingly, in the race to collect a satisfying amount of colorful eggs, no child was left behind. No tears – a very rare feat for hunts of this nature involving children of varying heights and ages. For organizing this successful event, Diana is to be commended – the Clarks of New Jersey salute you!

Other activities helped place this Easter celebration in high standing. Jumping on the trampoline at the Zauner’s backyard (for video, see www.dailymotion.com/hlmencken); trading Pokemon cards in Michael’s bedroom; watching Davidson upset Georgetown in the basement.

For little Madeline Davidian, 11, the Easter Celebration was crowned by a magnificent view from the roof of her house. “Don’t you go up there,” said Dad and Uncle Carm when the Frisbee went on the roof for the first time. But Dad and Uncle Carm weren’t around the second time. Up she goes like a squirrel.

The most repeated comment of the day: “Michael and Theo look like brothers.”

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Easter Egg Hunting


Caption: Theo's classmate Emma (left), and Theo, at Myrtle Field.

Yesterday in Metuchen, about 300 children and adults gathered at Myrtle Field to hunt for Easter eggs. Natalie went out with the zero to three year olds at a few minutes past 9:00 a.m. With a somewhat aggressive strategy (see video below), Natalie gathered three colorful eggs, each filled with chocolate candy.

Next it was Theo’s turn. With about 75 other four-, five- and six-year-olds, (including Emma) Theo collected a nice bagful of eggs.

The children have been growing up quite nicely. Since our last posting, the Clark children have seen their first musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” at Edison High School, and have discovered Pokemon (Theo) and have learned how to put on jackets by themselves (Nat).

The musical made a big impression on the kids, who sing along with or without the recording. Natalie has an interesting interpretation of the title song. She quickly chants: “beauty and the beast, beauty and the beast,” then, in a soulful approximation of Belle, she sings the finale: “beauty and the beast.” (Theo’s favorite character is Gaston.)

Today we saw “Horton Hears a Who” at the Menlo Park Mall. Dad was very disappointed.

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Why can’t they make kids movies like they used to?