Ally joined Pat and Molly in that miasma of emotion and confusion known by the misleadingly soothing term "adolescent" but referred to by those of us who know it best as "the teen years". This is the only time of a child's life that makes parents look fondly back at the terrible twos. But we're on board for the trip, and just hope we'll be able to say, once it's done, "What a long, strange trip it's been."

Ally was joined by a few of her friends for gabbing, snacking and howling--at which all present were expert.

Updated November 23, 2004.