Benjamin Michael Singer -- 2.3 Years!

It's summertime, and 95 degrees with 90% humidity outside. What better time to sit in the basement and work on updating the webpage? Melissa would argue -- she's spent entirely too much of the last few weeks downstairs analyzing, building tables, and writing away at her dissertation. Chapters are coming together, initial feedback from the readers is favorable, and all is progressing towards a planned full thesis defense on August 29th (1-3 pm EDT)--open to the public!

We've talked to a realtor and put our house here up for sale. We've had a dozen showings or so, but no offers as of yet. So if you know anyone who wants to purchase a house in Ann Arbor, let us know... Joel is into major job-searching mode and has applied to dozens of companies in the Bay Area. He's had several phone interviews and one trip out there, but is still searching for the right fit. Nevertheless, we've started boxing up some items and organizing books and papers in preparation for the move. We expect to be living somewhere on the peninsula by mid-September.

Benjamin talks sometimes about moving to California -- wants to see his friend "Ellie" (Lynn and Bill's daughter) who visited here in April. He likes the idea of seeing the many other 1- to 4-year-olds we know out there, some of whom he remembers meeting! Adjusting to the time change will take some effort, but will happen eventually. It's hard to believe we were once worried about Benjamin crawling and walking, for now he climbs ladders and charges down slides with enthusiasm, and thinks nothing of running across fields away from his parents at the least mention of "going home." He occasionally has a whiny two-year-old independent streak, but most of the time is happy and helpful and lovable. Last week he ran over to Joel before bed and gave him a big hug and said "I love you daddy!" -- and that can make some of the stressful times go a lot better!

Benjamin is into reading "real" Dr. Seuss books now (as opposed to the shortened-board-book kind), though some are beyond his attention span. He loves to count, and on good days can go to twelve and sometimes past it; learning the alphabet song as well. He loves the "Old MacDonald" song, animals, and the zoo -- we've been to the Toledo Zoo several times. A very nice place. He likes the lions, tigers, giraffes, and monkeys the best. He loves playing basketball and constantly points out basketball hoops while taking walks or riding in the car. Demands to be lifted up to the basketball hoop so he can throw the ball -- the kid has quite an arm. (For those predicting, he throws balls exclusively left-handed, kicks balls exclusively right-footed, and uses a fork and spoon equally well with both hands.)

If all goes as planned, we'll have new contact info by the time of the next web page update. Best regards to everyone and we promise to be in better contact with all of you once we have completed the GREAT TRANSITION OF 2006. Much love, Joel, Melissa, and Benjamin!