During our latest visit with my parents we visited the congressional office of Mike Conaway, the representative of their district in Texas. As a souvenir the boys received a mini U.S. flag which they have since referred to as their “Mike Conaway Flags.” But now it’s a little strange because whenever we see an American flag, they call out “Mike Conway Flag! Mike Conaway Flag!” (money can’t buy you that kind of PR, right?)

So we’re working on that... along with convincing both of them that McCain is not in Washington – only Obama – and Obama does not live with Abuela. But since they’re just now realizing that “Miami” includes more than just our house, the idea that Washington includes more than Abuela is similarly confusing.

And “Washington” has always been pronounced with a Spanish accent since they hear it mostly from Abuela. But today in the car Jonah explained to me that “sometimes we say ‘Washing-ton’ and sometimes we say ‘Washing-tun.’ (the latter being the gringo pronunciation)