My dear boy.

My middler son (yes, after the baby born he will be in the middle of our boys by age) turned 4 at the end of March. We just had his party last night. Other than a dud piñata that Daddy had to manhandle to get the candy to fall out and some birthday party blues from Eli, it was great fun. I love that Elijah has so many young friends who are such darlings.

Here he is with his newest round of wooden weapons from Burnt Mountain Crafts (www.rentoys.com). We have been ordering knight gear from them for a couple of years now and have been pleased not only with the quality but the durability of these handmade toys. I am very pleased when my children play imaginatively, and these newest toys have set off a whole new round of medieval scenarios. Modeled after ancient weapons, these are fantastic and fun. They have a new line of durable helmets, and Elijah just got the "Great Helm", the warrior shield, and a one-handed battle axe.