Kids' school pictures

Chopin and Gershwin recently had pictures takens at their school. Slithers wanted some wallet sized photos of himself to give to his friends as well, so we took him to a photography studio. Following are the kids' photos.

Slithers Yonts












Gershwin Ho
















Chopin Ho

Hanging out with Chopin

Slithers has become quite close to Chopin. He looks up to Chopin and Chopin doesn't mind being a big brother.

Playing hide and seek with the boys

Slithers enjoys playing hide and seek with Chopin and Gershwin after school. He is a good hider because he is able to coil up in small spaces.

"We found you!" Chopin and Gershwin cried when they opened the drawer and saw Slithers. "Now it's our turn to hide and your turn to seek!"

Visiting American University

After dinner at Miranda's house, Wen took Slithers to American University (her alma mater).

Wen showed Slithers the pool where she likes to go swimming.

Slithers and Miranda pose with a Republican elephant on the AU campus. Miranda supports McCain for President and Slithers is highly influenced by her politics. He has yet to develop his own views. Accordingly, Wen has refrained from discussing politics with Slithers. She believes he should come to his own conclusions after researching the candidates and watching the debates.

Dinner at Miranda's apartment

Slithers went to Miranda's house for dinner. Here she is showing Slithers the view of the Washington Cathedral from her bedroom.

Miranda fed Slithers pasta for dinner.
"Where's the beef?" he asked.

If you look close, you can also see Conqueror at the dinner table with Slithers. (Conqueror is currently staying at Miranda's house. He fashioned an intricate web in her bedroom window where he enjoys the beautiful view of the Cathedral at dawn and dusk each day.)

Slithers accompanies Wen to work

Slithers kept Wen company at her office on Tuesday. It was only Wen's second day at her new job.

Although Slithers says he is supportive of Wen's career, he prefers going to school with Chopin and Gershwin because he is concerned about getting behind on his home school curriculum. While Chopin and Gershwin attend their classes, Slithers quietly works on his assignments in the library. He believes having a routine helps him to manage his time and independent studies better. Slithers regularly says, "No pain, no gain." We don't know where he picked that up. Despite being such a young snake, Slithers already understands the meaning of discipline!

Slithers on the flight home from Texas

Slither gazes out the airplane window. After a week of fun with his new friends, Slithers was contemplative on the flight home to Washington.

Slithers made friends quickly in Texas

Slithers took a group photo with the Webkins he became fast friends with in Austin.





While in Texas, Slithers went for a couple of car rides with his friend Slytherin.

Slithers escorts Wen to Austin, TX

On Wednesday, just two days after Slithers and Conqueror arrived in Washington, Slithers agreed to escort Wen to Texas where they visited the Kelley family. The Kelleys were eager to see Wen as it had been over one year since her last visit.

Conqueror stayed home with Chopin, Gershwin, and the babysitter. (Conqueror does not like long car rides and he especially is not fond of flying.)

Slithers on the car ride to Baltimore airport. He was excited about going on a plane to Austin, TX. "Can you turn on the radio to DC101?" he asked.

Slithers going through the security check point at BWI airport. "You're doing a great job and lookin' good!" he shouted to the TSA. They smiled and thanked him for the compliment.

Slithers sat beneath the seat in front of Wen on the plane. "When do we take off?" Slithers asked. "I'd like an apple juice please!"

Conqueror the Spider appears from nowhere

As Wen was in her car running errands the next day, Conqueror, Gracie's spider emerged from the glove compartment.

"Hello, Conqueror. Where did you come from?" Wen asked.

"Gracie sent me to Washington with Slithers to look after you," Conqueror responded.

"Yes, but you were so quiet on the way home from Ronoake, I didn't know you were with us," Wen said.

"I'm not a fan of long car rides, so I decided to go to sleep in the glove compartment. It looks like we made it safely to Washington. Where is Slithers?" Conqueror asked.

"Slithers is at home playing with my cats Chopin and Gershwin. We will be home shortly and you can surprise him."

"Good idea!" Conqueror exclaimed.

Once upon a time . . .

a very special snake came to stay with Wen.

It was on Labor Day weekend that Wen, Miranda, and Bunny travelled to Roanoke, Virginia to visit the Yonts family. The three friends were happy to reunite with the Yonts, especially Joshua and Gracie.

While in Roanoke, the Yonts took Wen, Miranda, and Bunny to the pool where there was a water slide!!! Everyone had so much fun, it hurt to say good-bye when it was time to go home.

To comfort Wen, Joshua sent Slithers the Snake home with her to Washington, DC.

Slithers said to Joshua, "I will look after Wen, Miranda, and Bunny until you come to Washington in November. Hopefully, this will make saying good-bye easier on them."

Joshua thanked Slithers for his bravery and kissed him good-bye.

As Bunny backed the car out of the Yonts' driveway, Joshua quickly handed Slithers to Wen through the passenger window. "Don't be sad, Wen. Slithers will look after you until we see you again," he said.

"Thank you, Joshua!" Wen exclaimed. "I feel so much better now that I have something special of yours to remind me of you!"

Wen, Miranda, Bunny, and Slithers waved farewell to the Yonts family as they drove away until they could no longer see Joshua and Gracie through the rear window. Slithers coiled up on Wen's lap and slept all the way to Washington.