Lumbering llamas laboriously labeled lubricated lizards locating loathsome laudanum.

An outline handsketch of a hand shaping the ASL American manual letter “L”, in red ink on a yellow spiral bound steno notebook.

Pen and ink with watercolor wash drawing of an elephant with the small stuffed elephant.

In May, we came out of our hyper-cautious shell and started doing indoor activities like shopping with the kids. On my birthday, they insisted on getting a stuffie at IKEA even though my wife isn’t fond of these dust bunnies. She also insisted on having this little gal cool off for a few weeks. We finally brought her in in June.

At first the boy wanted to call her “Claire Elephant” because he’s obsessed naming everything after his imaginary little sister Claire. He then proposed “Smalley”. Mama countered with “Mini”. After some debate, Mini won.

That evening they misplaced her in the messy playroom and we spent half an hour looking for her. When she woke up the next day, my daughter was not amused when she couldn’t find Mini in her safe place (because I borrowed her for the sketch).

This moment of magic was inspired by recent newsletter, where Emily Charlotte Powell shares her in-progress drawing of a mermaid-yet-to-be-named.

Black and white pen scribbles on a white steno pad. — Old scribbles by the boy. I enjoy these weird serendipities.

Pen and ink with watercolor wash drawing of an elephant. — The boy has been burning through paints — I borrowed a little for a change.