Two days ago, when asked where he wanted to go (park versus subway versus play gym), he answered immediately, "The beach. Milo go to the beach." After a lengthy discussion about the weather, summer versus winter, and when one could buy and eat watermelon in New York, it seemed things were resolved.

But not, it seems, the castles. All summer Milo can build sand castles, but all year round, he creates castles of chopsticks, peas, blocks, cushions, crayons - anything that he can declare, "Nice castle!" and then topple over to his great satisfaction.

This was one of his father's birthday specials (Happy Birthday, Papa!) with special summertime touches, including a BIG lobster. And today, Mama waves from an actual beach too far away in Los Angeles, and will tell stories into the phone about all the lobsters and crabs and baby polar bears that will keep Milo company while she's gone...