Shhhhh

Team Williams is embarking upon another crazy adventure this weekend but we have to keep it on the down low because it is a surprise for Clarke, our dearest first born, who turns 13 this weekend. Once the cat is out of the bag, we will provide fun details and pictures. Clarke's party will be up at the barn next weekend and thankfully just a few friends "chillin". Amazingly, Whiteface is throwing a great party called the Ski Sweater Ball (free for kids..hello?!) and we will append Clarke's party to theirs while Mom and Dad also have some fun!

Our Clarke is an artist at heart with a temperament that fits perfectly in the Adirondacks and not always perfectly in the city. If he were any more mellow, he'd be living in reverse. Clarke was born in Milwaukee which has something to do with it, I think; he really loves the vibe at the barn. Oscar - different story. He storms the Adirondacks with the energy of a cracked out investment banker. He is dawn to dusk activities and feels free to make suggestions for Joe and I about how we can optimize our inefficiencies and improve things in his life.

Back to Clarke, against his nature, he is working so hard at a very challenging school. Each night he has hours of homework and still manages to get in at least an hour of guitar (his true passion). He is an intellectual, not always interested in the grades as much as the subject matter. And we love that, except when we don't. His sense of humor is exquisite and he loves the absurd. After a heated debate on music last night (he seems obsessed with something called neo-classical, which is hurting my ears), he called my music "strummy dummy" which I thought was the most accurate and funniest thing I have ever heard. As a child of immigrants who is a pragmatist at heart, I don't always "get it" but I sure have learned from him. Most of all he is a good soul and what more could we ask for.

So here's to Clarke. Raise your chocolate milk for a toast to our new teenager (oy).