Jakob's Big Day

Hey kids,

For reasons I won't go into, you kids were parted out again today, and Wavy went with daddy, and I got you, Jakob. We got an early start (for us) and headed first to the planetarium in downtown Reno. (Side note: Both your daddy and I have not been able to pronounce the word "planetarium" correctly since the first season of South Park. See clip above, and I dare you to ever pronounce the "t" in "planetarium" ever again...)



It's a lovely facility, but I was underwhelmed by the two movies we saw -- an intro to spring stargazing and a short doc about Earth's polar regions. But we were the only two in the auditorium for the noon showing, so it was like a private viewing. I'm hoping to instill in you an interest in astronomy, so I kept my mouth shut about the quality of the films. You seemed fascinated and planned to come home tonight and pick out constellations in the back yard.

Afterwards, despite my aversion to trying to find parking anywhere near the Truckee River where it flows through downtown, especially on an event day, I decided to take you to the Reno River Festival.

We parked several blocks away in a scuzzy part of town, but all in all, not a bad walk. We only witnessed one drunk guy sitting on the curb and puking in between his knees, and one shady, half-dressed character huffing on something in his backpack, which he wore on the front of his body.

First order of business was Indian Tacos, which, if you know me in the least little bit, you know they are like frickin' chocolate-covered unicorns to me. They are only available at festivals and such, and I can only score them a precious few times a year.



Sorry they don't seem to make you as ecstatic as they make me. We found a shady spot underneath a bridge, like two little trolls, and ate our lunch and people-watched.

We eventually made our way to the reno.com booth and found our friend M, who I sadly did not get a photo of today, but you adored her, and she let you help blow up balloons and keep the schwag table neat and orderly.



We closed the place down! We spent the rest of the day there, until closing time, watching live music at the amphitheater, snacking on blackberry shaved ice, and I hoisted you onto my shoulders so you could watch the Double Dutch jumprope competition.



We both got lots of sun today. It was super-fun, and you are convinced somehow that you are going again tomorrow to help M out with the booth, but I staved that off with a feeble, "We'll see..."

Dinner on the way home at Wendy's, and then you were out like a light for the rest of the drive. And once we got here, you flopped into bed, clothes and all, and were asleep inmediatamente. THAT's how I gauge my successes with you guys. I can ask forever if you had a good time or not, but the proof is sweaty and sunburnt and wadded up in the bedding. If we had had a mediocre day, you'd still be up, messing about on the computer or watching Nick at Nite.

All right, then. Love you both. G'night.