Just Daddy and Me

This past Friday thru Monday, Mommy left for a relaxing spa weekend getaway with her friend and left the men at home to fend for themselves. No, really it we were excited to see Mommy go and get some rest and plus that meant guy time for Daddy and I!

On Saturday, Daddy took me hiking and then to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Now, if you recall back to last year's festival we saw different artifacts from Texas, Bhutan and NASA. This year, Wales, Las Americas and a section called Giving Voice were featured. Giving Voice was the section that I was most interested in. It had all kinds of good storytelling, which I love by the way :-). So Dad and I were playing when all of the sudden this man with the coolest drum I've ever seen showed up. Tejumola "TEJU" Ologboni was the name of the man and he was one of the Storyteller's that day. Here's a photo below of TEJU and a little background on him too:

TEJU draws listeners into stories with gestures and movements, and sometimes with music made on traditional Africa instruments. Some of his stories are filled with magic and mystical characters, like "the Possum and the Hare;" others are fact like the story of Joshua, a runaway captive who escaped to Wisconsin, and whose case went all the way to the Supreme Court, when a bounty hunter tried to capture and return him to being enslaved. Serious or humorous, political or festive, Teju's stories reflect on longstanding and contemporary cultural perspectives to capture and return him to being enslaved. Serious or humorous, political of festive, Teju's stories reflect on longstanding and contemporary cultural perspectives to give listeners greater understanding of the profound influence of African heritage on our traditions and identities. Come listen to this culture keeper and be enlightened and inspired.

While TEJU was setting up for his storytelling he let me hang out with him and play his drum! TEJU was impressed and after I was done, I slapped him five :-). It was really awesome! TEJU told Daddy that I need a drum of my own. I couldn't wait to tell Mommy ...hahaha.

Sunday, Daddy and I went to the American History museum and a little more time again at the Folklife festival. We sure had fun guys weekend but when Monday came, we were glad to see Mommy.

Love,
Emerson



"Hey TEJU where can I get one of these?"

"Whoa, feathers too!"

"TEJU, you got to hit it in just the right spot"

"I think I'll start my own band"

"Look Mommy, Daddy let's me jump on the couch when you're not here"