My friend Dan Steinberg's daugher, Elena, died suddenly yesterday of bacterial meningitis. Many of Dan's friends are devastated today, and of course all of that is nothing beside what Elena's family are feeling.

Other friends had the idea of a lovely little graphic button we can use to pay tribute, express sympathy, and most of all remember a little girl who meant so much to those who loved her. Click on it to read Dan's brave, eloquent writing about her, and comments from friends.

And when you see that little graphic on sites around the web, treat it as a reminder to tell your own children that you love them.

Today we took the boys to Blue's Clues Live. I continue to be impressed with that show. It's not perfect, of course, and some of the marketing and paraphernalia is too much. But they find creative ways to teach interesting stuff, they teach morals and ethics without being preachy, and the kids love it.

I've always thought that, in particular, the music on Blue's Clues stands out. They incorporate music from every genre you can imagine, mostly cleverly adapted versions of the various themes from the show. And nearly all of it is much better than the usual music from children's TV. Today, believe it or not, the stage show included a distinctly Koyaanisqatsiish minimalist Philip Glass-style piece. But to the kids, it was all just music, which is the way it should be.

If you have kids, you know that one of the fun things about them is that every now and then, through the clamor, comes a phrase or sentence that's wonderful and bizarre at the same time. Usually it ruins it to find out what it means; it's best to just enjoy it.

Today: "I'm winding up the jellyfish."