Illusions in Japan

More on illusionary arts... A new dot on the map for the Japan trip: Trick Art Museum at the foot of Mount Takao, Tokyo.

The gorilla with its mouth wide open is drawn at the corner of an exhibition room. The boy with the alligator is standing to the left of mirror.

Photos by AP photographer Shizuo Kambayashi.

ABC Phonics

K and D love the ABC phonic song. K knew her letters and their sounds by the time she turned 3. This was one of her favorite tunes. I catch D also singing its and bits of it now and then.

Thanks Ms. Chelsea for writing it down for me.

Bikers in D.C.

According to the Washington Post, an estimated 500,000 motorcyclists rolled into Washington this year for the 22nd annual Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom.

It was amazing to see that many bikers together.

Rolling Thunder is an annual motorcycle rally that is held in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend. Participants call for the government's recognition and accountability of all Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing in Action (MIAs).

Good morning star...

Just outside my window early today.

Doodle

This is Doodle playing with his blue blankie and his bunny.

Terra Cota Warriors

China's Terra Cota Warriors are coming to the Houston Museum of Natural Science in what promises to be an amazing exhibit. I can't wait - opens May 22, 2009!

One day I hope to make it to Xi'an to see site where the warriors were found and the collection of the Museum of the Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang.

Thousands of terra cotta soldiers guarded China's First Emperor Qin Shihuangdi since the 3rd century B.C. Amazingly, they stood forgotten until 1974 when farmers digging outside the walls of the Emperor's tomb complex stumbled into them.

See more photos by Wang Da-Gang in the HMNS photo gallery:
http://www.hmns.org/exhibits/special_exhibits/terra_cotta/tc_photo_gallery.asp

Mickey, I'm talking to you...

K had her retainer removed today after 9 months. She was so happy to take it off her mouth she wanted to share it with Mickey.

"Mickey, I removed my retainer today."

Mickey didn't acknowledge, so again she goes..."Mickey, Mickey, I removed my retainer todaaaayyy!"

It's amazing (and scary) to see how involved the kids can get into the cartoons that the characters seem real to them at times. The magic of entertainment.

Goofy, the Great

Goofy can't get his words right when doing his magic tricks. The kids are laughing away at the sillyness. Nothing like the sounds of your kids' true laughter.

"Hocus Pickles!"

Gray

This little one was sitting so still on the fence yesterday as I drove by I thought it was asleep. I approached him from the left, but after a while it turned its head and I was able to see both eyes.